[Archived] Relegation Watch

[Tom]

A draw tomorrow, and defeat for Newcastle and Boro would mean we 7 points clear with 3 games to go. I cant see those 2 getting 8 points from 3 games, with those 2 teams set to meet. If boro and Newcastle draw their game against each other, then we would be safe imo. Tomorrows games for those 2 teams are crucial, lose and one of, if not both are doomed.

I agree with this, I think if boro and Toon draw its all over. I also think that next week may see both Rovers and Pompey satisfied with a draw, I hope not however.

My fear is that it wont be decided till the last game and my nerves cant take that.

[1864roverite]

Rovers currently 22/1 to be relegated.

[Hughesy]

Talk of Ferguson playing the kids at Boro.

Oh heck!

As expected - not too weak of a squad:

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, O'Shea, Rafael, Brown, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Park, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Macheda, Welbeck

[BRFC1995]

As expected - not too weak of a squad:

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, O'Shea, Rafael, Brown, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Park, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Macheda, Welbeck

kuszack

rafeal/evans/brown/o'shea

park/fletcher/anderson/nani

macheda/wellbeck

you can still pick a poor utd team out of that lot

[Iceman]

You're not wrong there Iceman. Maths isn't my strong point but- How can you get 8 points from 3 games ?

Oops, i meant with 3 games to go they wouldnt be able to get to 8 points, unless they win all 3 where they would get 9 points.highly unlikely they would win all 3, with them having to meet each other. Thats why a point tomorrow, all but guarantees our safety(should i have said that?), if both Boro and Newcastle lose. If we win tomorrow, then imo its a 3 horse race between Boro, Hull and Newcastle for that last 2 places.

[Hughesy]

kuszack

rafeal/evans/brown/o'shea

park/fletcher/anderson/nani

macheda/wellbeck

you can still pick a poor utd team out of that lot

Poor? Sorry but that team would beat most teams in the bottom half. Id love to have those midfielders at our club.

[47er]

To avoid the drop

WBA have to get 12 points

NUFC have to get a minimum of 9 points

Hull have to get a further 6 points

Boro have to get 9 points mimimum

Sunderland have to get 5 points

Rovers need 3 points

WBA have Liverpool to play as do Newcastle. Boro have Manure to play, not to mention the biggest tyne/tees derby for years. Hull dont have it easy buit can expect to beat Stoke. Newcastle also away at Villa.

Sunderland have hard games as well.

Rovers may need just the 3 points or even less. After this weekend we will know who is in the mix for the drop. It will be 3 games to play, 9 points at stake and all to play for.

I dont see any net gains for any of the bottom 6 this weekend, Rovers perhaps have the best opportunity of them all. Even a point for Rovers is a big bonus and another nail in the coffins of WBA/Boro and barcodes.

After this weekend, the win against wigan will be pivotal for our seaso. It has saved us from a real hard last couple of weeks and has heaped each and everyone of our concerns onto the shoulders of Boro and barcode united.

We cannot rely on Villa for anything at the moment, they must be bottom of the form league.

[modes98]

We cannot rely on Villa for anything at the moment, they must be bottom of the form league.

Near enough. 3rd bottom with only Hull and Newcastle below them!

Form Guide

We are flying in 11th

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I dreamt about the game last night, we lost 1-0 to an 85th minute goal ! Last time I dreamt about a game the score was 4-0 in a cup final. I put my shirt on that score and obviously got great odds. Final score was 1-0 the other way !

[The Prof.]

As I said a week or so ago I just want the season to end it's the not knowing and the maybe's that kill me.

The game before last is the worrying one, we visit Chelsea while the teams below us have winnable games, fail to be safe going into that game and I would fear the worst.

Look we're safe - honestly. One point - which we'll batter some poor sods to get if we have to (wouldn't fancy being Protsmouth if BFS thinks we need a point) - will see the NE clubs needing to win all their games from this week- 9 points from 3. (and they won't win today).

And remember - we are actually a form team under Allardyce.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Look we're safe - honestly. One point - which we'll batter some poor sods to get if we have to (wouldn't fancy being Protsmouth if BFS thinks we need a point) - will see the NE clubs needing to win all their games from this week- 9 points from 3. (and they won't win today).

And remember - we are actually a form team under Allardyce.

like your confidence but I'd like three more points especially if results don't go our way today.

[The Prof.]

like your confidence but I'd like three more points especially if results don't go our way today.

Yes but that would mean Middlesborough beating United - if you think thats likely put a monkey on it - the odds are great. Not happening.

And Everton dying at Sunderland, and the Liverpool team bus crashing before the Newcastle game. Unlike many I actually think Middlesborough will escape as they keep pulling a win out here and there, but Hull/Sunderland will make sure we don't get involved.

[Blue n White Rover]

Yes but that would mean Barcodes beating United - if you think thats likely put a monkey on it - the odds are great. Not happening.

And Everton dying at Middlesborough. Unlike many I actually think Middlesborough will escape as they keep pulling a win out here and there, but Hull/Sunderland will make sure we don't get involved.

Boro are playing United today, and Newcastle are playing Liverpool tommorow. Everton are playing at Sunderland aswell.

You might have your fixtures jumbled up.

[The Prof.]

Boro are playing United today, and Newcastle are playing Liverpool tommorow. Everton are playing at Sunderland aswell.

You might have your fixtures jumbled up.

Thanks - I think it's right now (hung over) . Same result though! Relegation teams nil points. Rovers, safe.

[Blue blood]

I have to say after the Wigan performance I think we are safe. Sure it's not mathamatical, sure it's a topsy turvey league this season but even so I think we are safe.

The big worry before - as in the last 2/3 weeks - was due to injuries would rovers be able to actually score and therefore win/draw games. I am convinced after the wigan performance that with Benni and Samba up front, and Grella coming back (or actually having for the first time) to fitness means that as a team we can get points.

Given this, we've already a 6 point cushion and the very worst I can see us doing is picking up a further 2 points - pompey and west brom at home - which would mean 8 points between us and relegation.

This would mean Boro and Newcastle would need 9 points from their last 4 games to overtake us 3 wins, or 2 wins and a draw for the 8 points. I cannot see either going undefeated for 4 games or winning 3 games.

Plus Hull are in free fall, and Sunderland are still in the mix. In Hull's case it's hard to see if they'll win again given the form they are in and effort aside their squad is poor. It's got very few players who would shine even in the championship.

However. relegation is a massive thing, and hopefully rovers will make it all but a mathamatical improbability today.

[begresko]

Thought it was worth saying the man utd team is out and isn't half bad if i am honest. Should be fully capable of seeing off boro.

Good news

[Hughesy]

Manc Team:

Foster, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Park, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov, Macheda.

Subs: Kuszczak, Ronaldo, Anderson, Nani, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, Tevez

[RovertheHill]

Usual hypocrisy on Soccer Saturday I see. Shouldn't be surprised I suppose. Merson "disappointed" that Arsenal played a proper team against Boro last week. Several of them blaming Southgate for not getting players in January. The same bunch that were slating John Williams for sacking Ince and holding up Steve Gibson and Gareth Southgate as the way young managers should be given time. Still, Jeff is a legend and quite funny too

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

If Boro win today I can see them getting out of trouble. It's a big if though.

[1864roverite]

The bubble of enthusiasm around boro is threre for all to see.

Its just a shame that I see United about to pop it. A bench containing Tevez, Anderson and clownaldo is surely indicative of the strength united have.

Fergie thinks he is getting friends in his pre match interview with Geoff shreeve, thing is United have the firepower to put boro out of their misery and its only a matter of time.

I dont think I have ever rooted for a United win so much.A win for them puts Rovers at ease for todays game and will surely benefit them.

[Tom]

United look uninterested so far which is worrying, although you feel if they nab a goal its all over.

I wonder who Vinjay is rooting for, must be a dilemma.

[Tom]

Get in 1-0 Ryan Giggs

he just earnt his award for me

[Hughesy]

1-0 Mancs - keeper didnt even move

[dopper69]

Boro 1-0 down

[1864roverite]

Lets be hinest after 30 minutes Boro havent produced anything worthwhile to suggest they are going to take a point or the 3 they so desperately need. The bluster has gone out of their efforts since Giggs scored the goal.

You get the feeling that United are toying with them.

I hope sam and the boys are watching as they digest their tactics and pre match meal discussion.

Rovers can compound a bad day for Boro with a solitary point.