[Archived] The Relegation Battle Aftermath

[cruz]

I think it does. Ferguson and Sam are good friends and he said his sacking was a big mistake - as always he'll enjoy giving us a good tonking.

Ferguson most likely couldn't give a stuff about Allardyce anymore. That unhealthy infatuation was only ever one way

You must be joking!

They are real buddies who socialise together including wives!!!

Like Keans coaching badges, show me the proof

Show me the official proof that he has them!!!!!

Hang on...it's just in my bottom drawer under the pictures of Fergie dining with Allardyce...or should I say throwing scraps under the table for the fawing Allardyce

What's that got to do with Steve Kean's coaching qualifications?

Just for you Matty. I bet you wished you never asked?

[Kamy100]

Wolves are a decent side, but they way people are talking about them, one would think that we are playing Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Rovers last few games have been extremely encouraging in terms of the pride, passion and commitment that the team have shown, if we need to go to Wolves to get a draw then we are more than capable of doing that, what has impressed me the most over the last few games is our defensive organisation, finally Rovers defend as a unit, by that I mean we have started to defend as a team and when N'Zonzi and J.Jones play together it gives the defence some excellent protection.

I also think that if produce a performance like we did against City (apart from the first 20 minutes) and with a little bit of luck then we maybe able to get a point against Man Utd, of course it will be hard, but if we can be level going into the last 15 minutes, I can't see Fergie taking any undue risks, he will want to get the point and then rest the team before the Champions League Final. Also people are talking about United reserves playing against Blackpool, they played a reserve team against Schalke and look what they did to them, the likes of Nani, Berbatov, Park, Smalling and Owen apart from being excellent players will want to produce a performance so to try and give Fergie a selection headache for the final.

[Blue n White Rover]

For me the crucial game of the weekend is Wigan v West Ham. IF West Ham win, then that means neither Wigan nor West Ham can catch us. Leaving Blackpool, Wolves and Birmingham. Providing Blackpool lose to United, they will not be able to catch us either.

West Ham and Bolton win this weekend means we are safe.

[martmitch]

ok ran the prem league predictor for possibly the million-th time this season, using what I feel fairly realistic results I have only our goal difference keeping us up, this includes a loss final game of the season away to wolves (just think they will be so up for this and more capable of raising their game than us)

If we can get anything out of the united game it would be huge!

West Ham, Wigan and Blackpool to go down

[thenodrog]

Ferguson most likely couldn't give a stuff about Allardyce anymore. That unhealthy infatuation was only ever one way

Unless you are a close confidente of either you need to add 'imo'. Stating something like that sa a definite is just silly and churlish in intent.

Like Keans coaching badges, show me the proof

re: the above comments. You provide some proof please.

[Amo]

re: the above comments. You provide some proof please.

The proof is staring you in the face. You're just being deliberately obtuse.

[Iceman]

this whole nonsense, about SAF wanting to destroy us because of Sam is ludicrous. he didn't have a heart when we lost 7-1, Sam was in charge BTW. if we go out there, and fight for the cause, then we can get at least a point. if we go out there, with fear then we will be destroyed. the players need to remain positive, and we will surprise a few this weekend

[Tom]

this whole nonsense, about SAF wanting to destroy us because of Sam is ludicrous. he didn't have a heart when we lost 7-1, Sam was in charge BTW. if we go out there, and fight for the cause, then we can get at least a point. if we go out there, with fear then we will be destroyed. the players need to remain positive, and we will surprise a few this weekend

Have to agree, Ferguson will want to beat us because its good for United, Ferguson of all people is hardly one for sentiment.

[SharrockDownSouth]

On the predictor again.. every realistic way that I run it, 40 points is safety, 39 points sees us relegated if Wigan beat West Ham...

[LeChuck]

Ran the predictor and I have us finishing 17th...

Birmingham 42

Wolves 41

Rovers 39

Wigan 38

West Ham 37

Blackpool 37

[Tom]

I've given up on it now, it's utterly pointless as we all know any team could win or lose any game at this stage of the season.

However the most likely outcomes would point to Blackpool and Wigan winning this weekend then picking up 1 or 0 points on the final day, in simple terms one win out of two see's us safe or if both Blackpool and Wigan lose one of two we are safe.

I'd feel much happier if the sets of fixtures swapped around though!

[JAL]

We should look at Wigan beating West Ham and Blackpool beating Man U then focus on our own performances.

[DE.]

However the most likely outcomes would point to Blackpool and Wigan losing this weekend then picking up 1 or 0 points on the final day, in simple terms one win out of two see's us safe or if both Blackpool and Wigan lose one of two we are safe.

I think it's far more likely Wigan will beat West Ham considering they're at home and have more points than them.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

What fixture would you rather have ? Utd at home 2nd to last game or Utd away last game. I'm relatively upbeat- Wigan are far from great at home and it's probably West Hams last throw of the dice. Then they're away to Stoke who'll want to go out with a bang this season. Bolton are due some sort of performance soon, they're not that bad a side that can keep losing so I can see them doing something at Blackpool, Utd will want to go out with a win against 'pool at home. I know West Ham did them in a similar game a few years back but West Ham had Tevez at the height of his powers, he practically played them on his own up front that day, gaining himself a move there in the process. Blackpool haven't got a Tevez. Can't see beyond Blackpool, Wigan and West Ham at the moment . Wolves will get out of it and Big Club will slutch a point from Fulham Home and Spurs away. Main thing for us is to keep it tight on Saturday. Keep the faith.

[Tom]

I think it's far more likely Wigan will beat West Ham considering they're at home and have more points than them.

Sorry mate, total mind blank I meant both Wigan and Blackpool will win. DOH!

[DE.]

Sorry mate, total mind blank I meant both Wigan and Blackpool will win. DOH!

Haha, that makes more sense! Though I get the feeling Wigan/WHU will end in a draw.

[Hughesy]

West Ham to win on saturday, and Blackpool to pick up a point against Bolton.....Goes to final day, but we wont need anything to stay up.

[McClarky]

If Wigan or Blackpool win this weekend we need to start panicking. MU will beat us for certain which would mean we have to get a point at Wolves or rely on maybe 2 other teams losing games against teams with nowt to play for. Before watching Wolves yesterday I would have said that's fine but after seeing us and then Wolves I am worried.

[allanncd]

I just cannot see West Ham winning or even drawing at Wigan if they are anything like as bad as v Rovers. Wigan are consistently underrated and they will play enough football to get through Wham. That leaves only either a Cup Finalled-out Stoke to stop Wigan getting to 40 points. For Rovers a repeat of the determined but very limited type of performance at Upton Park will not be enough to stop Wolves who look a much better unit than West Ham.

[John]

I would favour Wigan at home, West Ham looked a team pretty much down and out for most of Saturday. There seemed to be an exceptance from their players/fans that they are going down.

Pressure levels, in the next 2 matches, are going to be massive too which you also need to factor in (especially if it goes down to the last game).

[Hughesy]

I just think with West Ham being away they have a little bit less pressure on them than if they were at Upton Park with 30k+ unhappy fans....I think they will get the 3 points, or a draw at worst!

[yeti-dog]

I can see a draw too,both defences are pants but both have decent forwards. A high scoring draw for me,maybe 2-2..

[steverovers]

Don't bank on Birmingham being safe. After Fulham's tonking tonight they will be up for it for their next game - at Birmingham, who are awful. I don't fancy em at Spurs on the last day either!

[RevidgeBlue]

I just cannot see West Ham winning or even drawing at Wigan if they are anything like as bad as v Rovers. Wigan are consistently underrated and they will play enough football to get through Wham.

I disagree there, Wigan have one or two flair players but just don't seem to be able to win enough games and I think they'll struggle to beat West Ham in a pressure cooker situation. I wouldn't like to bet on the outcome any which way but I think a draw or West Ham win is no less likely than a Wigan win. If pushed I'd go for a draw.

After Fulham's tonking tonight they will be up for it for their next game - at Birmingham,

Agreed, Sparky was on the radio after the game and was clearly far from happy about that first half last night.

[Iceman]

I'm praying for a West Ham win, or at least a draw. if that happens, then neither team can finish above us.