[Archived] The Relegation Thread

[Audax]

Cisse may not be a Tevez but someone like that still might be able to single-handedly keep up QPR along with having an apt manager and some other talented players, Wolves might turn things around, it's too close to call, Lawro in his predictions last week said Rovers were the most competitive of the bottom clubs, Wigan has relegation-fighting experience, I watched that match they played versus Man City and lost only 1-0 and were a bit unlucky http://www.soccerway.com/matches/2012/01/16/england/premier-league/wigan-athletic-football-club/manchester-city-football-club/1117248/ or were lucky for all I know, Wigan have also tempted relegation too much almost always being involved in the fight to survive. Bolton to me have looked like one of the weakest teams but guess what? They have more wins than any of the other bottom 5. It really is a throw of the dice to figure out who will stay up but I hope Rovers can.

All of these clubs have been rather equal after 26 matches... it really is anyone's guess, I'd lean towards Rovers and Wolves staying up but that is a total guess. It'd be nice to see Bolton or Wigan stay up as well for me.

http://www.soccerway.com/national/england/premier-league/2011-2012/regular-season/ Fulham are on a good run this weekend, if Wolves are not getting a bounce from TC, even though he was an assistant, I'd think the Cottagers will take this.

If Wolves won and most of the others were to lose, they could be putting a 4 point cushion on from the others. I see Everton winning vs. QPR, so Rovers really need a win vs. Aston Villa to get on top of the mini-league.

[KyleBRFC]

You honestly think Bolton and Wigan will only win one game between them for the reason of the season?

Those predictor things are useless, anything can happen in one game. It's much more logical to look at the games in block of four/five.

Its only a guess, obviously things are going to change ect didnt say i was going to be right ect.. just a rough guestimate all the games for all teams i put as draws were just too close to call could go either way as i said just a guestimate.

[philipl]

Interesting to get the views of a Fulham season ticket holder and passionate supporter. His view is that Wolves, QPR and Wigan have been clearly the worst teams they have played his season.

[Captain Dunsel]

Interesting to get the views of a Fulham season ticket holder and passionate supporter. His view is that Wolves, QPR and Wigan have been clearly the worst teams they have played his season.

Hopefully you set him straight.

[Audax]

Whew-Boy, Wigan losing at home to Swansea, 0-2. Pretty catastrophic for them if that holds up. QPR is even with Everton, Wolves play tomorrow, Bolton down 1-0 at City.

[DE.]

Seems like the bottom three are already resigned to going down. Wolves will be breathing a sigh of relief and I imagine relishing their match with us in the upcoming weeks.

[Audax]

To set things straight actually, it looks like 3 clubs, QPR, Wolves and Rovers are tied at 22 points at the moment. Rovers are in the redzone on goal differential. Wolves play Sunday.

Bolton and Wigan lose staying at 20. Actually not much change from last weekend but Wigan need to get something vs. a Swansea. Pretty poor.

Not a relegation matter but WBA 1 0 CFC, I've been for Chelsea Manager Valles Boa but I'd think it's difficult for him to survive that. Maybe though, Abramovich will think, too late this season to exchange managers.

WBA all of a sudden got hot, 3 straight wins, last loss was at home to Swansea 1-2 so, there you go.

[Clitherover]

A Fulham win tomorrow by any deficit takes us out of the bottom three.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

A mountain to climb.

[John]

Whilst we are pretty poor, and have an awful manager, the teams in/around us are doing just as badly.

[MarkBRFC]

And that John, is what will keep probably keep us up. Taking points off Wolves & Bolton will be crucial.

[Audax]

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2012/March/03/wigan-chairman-seeks-martinez-meeting/

"We had three quality players on the bench and I want to know why."

Whelan has denied rumours that Martinez's job is under review, despite the fact that his club have only won one league game since mid-December.

"Roberto Martinez's future is secure, he has done a great job for the club."

"But we will have a meeting on Monday when he will put his cards on the table and I will do the same."

Stepping up the pressure a little, I think Martinez may have even been a player-manager at first in his career for Swansea or whichever club, yeah, this was his old club? That whipped them at home today.

[Andy]

Whilst we are pretty poor, and have an awful manager, the teams in/around us are doing just as badly.

Thing is, if Venky's grew some backbone, sacked Kean and appointed an actual football manager we'd have an instant advantage over the other sides down there.

[Sparky Marky]

Which actual football manager do you think would come here at this stage of the game?v

[rovermagic]

The half time subs were good against Villa. Both came at 46 min, which is unusual and right. McLeish subs inexplicable.

We, believe it or not, are the fifth most likely team to go down, according to average of all betting agents. We are still odds-on though. QPR bad runi in. We need to be in a good position though before last day of season 'cause of Chelsea away. Pray for Fulhzm today. Bottom five are so poor, 32 points could do it!

[Bobby G]

It will be tight with teams not winning, a win is worth more than 3 points really. We have Wolves and Bolton coming up. 4 points is vital. But if we dont win either of the games, we are in such trouble it wont be funny. There will be 9 games to go after those two matches.

Our defence is so weak. I am glad Givet is back.

[Kamy100]

It is now looking more and more likely that 34-36 points will be enough. We are now in a five team league of which we have to finish in the top 2, we have to play 3 of these sides (Wolves, Bolton and Wigan) it is imperative that we pick up a minimum of 5 points from these games (7 would be awesome). Next Saturday is huge with Bolton playing QPR (12.45pm Sat) and Rovers playing Wolves.

[gumboots]

Which actual football manager do you think would come here at this stage of the game?v

I was saying this yesterday when they wer talking about Chelsea sacking Villas Boas. even for them, replacing the manager at this stage this season would be hard as it seems that most halfway decent managers are in employment at this stage at all levels. so for them there is no Hiddink lurking ready to take over. for us there is no longer an O'Neill or whoever lurking. I don't rate Bruce over Kean. Who else is there? Most treams are now stuck with what they have got. There are a few untried at premiership level about but than, isn't that partly what got us into this mess?

[Stuart]

At one stage it wouldn't have mattered who replaced Kean, such was the negative atmosphere that he brought to the club/fans.

Just not having him stood at the side of the pitch would have united the fans behind any new manager.

However, the issue has now firmly shifted towards Venkys due to their inaction and the team they have saddled us with. No proper manager would put up with the way the club appears to be set up and would have difficulty getting consistency out of the squad he'd inherit.

That said it's a fine line to not even look for alternatives, if Kean was to ever walk away, maybe citing the pressure, he would have to be replaced anyway. Of course we would have no candidates until the Summer - assuming we stay up - and even then it would require Venkys to change their organisational approach and spending policy to both attract a decent manager and avoid relegation the following season. This would mean admitting they got it wrong which I don't think will ever happen.

It's so depressing to think that staying up will simply extend the slow death of the club by another 12 months. A bit like being on death row and getting an 11th hour postponement. Except that the chief warden will get a medal or two on your behalf.

The only chink of light would be that if we are now debt free and stay up, would the Sky money be put towards strengthening the squad and replacing the manager? I just can't see it though.

Struggling to see how else we will ever be rid of this bunch and their ways - aside from the money drying up through relegation.

[Sparky Marky]

So , youthink no manager is better than this div.? I agree.

[Stuart]

Ha, I've not heard "div" for a while!

I think we are beyond that point now due to everything else but I have previously said give it to a senior player before now. Sadly every one I've mention has been sold on or frozen out.

In the absence of tried and tested managers, three people I might suggest if we were to sacrifice experience, for getting rid of Kean and getting the fans fully and unequivocally behind the team/staff.

1) Tugay

2) Salgado

3) Robbo

Notwithstanding all the reasons why they would never be approached (unless Kean walked) all 3 would have the fans immediately onside.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

If there are three teams worse than us this season I haven't seen them. I'm resigned to us going down it's less painful that way.

[alexanders]

Hope dempsey, pog and dembele Are on fire today

[thenodrog]

If there are three teams worse than us this season I haven't seen them.

Me neither. Nor have I seen worse tactical and team selection issues. Someone suggested Kean's team selection is decided by an accountant which can be the only reason why someone who has been in football for so long can drop such clangers on a regular basis. All autumn it seemed that if a player played well and or scored that he was immediately dropped for the next match.

For yesterday's match Kean got plaudits in the media for the 2nd half turnaround but no one had a go at him for the 1st half shambles did they? Compare MoTD asking searching questions about whether AVB should be sacked for winning just 3 from 12 yet we've won just 5 all season and not a whisper about baldybollocks's record. Why?

[Tom]

Today will be quite decisive.

If fulham can beat wolves we go above them going into next weeks game which puts all the pressure on them.

Id take a point myself but three would be huge just as a loss would be awful, let's hope Dunny doesn't get near those free pies.