Who is going down?

Not that bad. Liverpool Chelsea and Everton will have nothing to play for by April!

I seem to recall when we were in relegation battles at the end of the season that it didn't matter who we played.

when we came up against Man Utd on the last day of the season it mattered.

If Newcastle continue to fail to score away from home - they will be going down. At least Sunderland, Norwich & Bompey can score which gives them a decent shout.

Villa gone and reasonable chance of going again down to L1!

& 2 from - Swansea, Norwich, Bompey, Sunderland & Newcastle.

Hope Newcastle go down, they've been hanging around like a turd that won't flush for too long now.

If Newcastle continue to fail to score away from home - they will be going down. At least Sunderland, Norwich & Bompey can score which gives them a decent shout.

 

Villa gone and reasonable chance of going again down to L1!

 

& 2 from - Swansea, Norwich, Bompey, Sunderland & Newcastle.

 

Hope Newcastle go down, they've been hanging around like a turd that won't flush for too long now.

Wouldn't be averse to relieving them of Wijnaldum if they do go down - Steven Davis isn't getting any younger...

Bournemouth have by some distance, the worst run-in

be interesting to see how they cope

Bournemouth have by some distance, the worst run-in

be interesting to see how they cope

They are also the best team if not the best individuals of all the relegation candidates.

Wouldn't be averse to relieving them of Wijnaldum if they do go down - Steven Davis isn't getting any younger...

yeah would be an excellent signing and the rumours are that all the Newcastle players (Jan 2016 & Summer 2015 players) signed contracts which did not include relegation related wage cuts - so they will have to get rid of some people.

Steve McClaren gone ...Benitez on the way (though why he'd want to go any where near the poisoned chalice that is Newcastle I have no idea) To little to late or have Newcastle got a chance now?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35736581

yeah would be an excellent signing and the rumours are that all the Newcastle players (Jan 2016 & Summer 2015 players) signed contracts which did not include relegation related wage cuts - so they will have to get rid of some people.

Whoever goes down is going to get further improved parachute payments which were already more than enough to ensure no-one's had to get rid of players in the first year after relegation for wage reasons this decade. I do think players will want to leave, but that's more because they have an excuse to get a pay rise. Current experiences suggest Newcastle's players are the last ones we'd want to sign - and we're better off getting cheaper players of equal ability from pretty much anywhere else in the world anyway.

Bournemouth have by some distance, the worst run-in

be interesting to see how they cope

They're on 35 already, beating Swansea and West Brom at home and Villa away will probably see them safe without even having to consider how they do against Spurs, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U... and Everton away.

They're only in trouble if they mess up in those three winnable games. Meanwhile, Palace who are two points below them have managed not to win a Prem match since 19th December in 12 attempts against such mercurial talents as Sunderland, Swansea, Bournemouth and Watford home, and West Brom, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Villa away, and even they have an 9 point cushion to the relegation zone at the moment.

Bournemouth in real danger of going down now, few weeks ago I thought they were almost safe, but they're straight back into the fight after losing at home this weekend. Their fixtures are pretty horrendous...Swansea/Villa/WBA/Newcastle games are huge for them.

 

February 27: Watford (A)

March 1: Southampton (H)

March 5: Newcastle United (A)

March 12: Swansea City (H)

March 19: Tottenham Hotspur (A)

April 2: Manchester City (H)

April 9: Aston Villa (A)

April 16: Liverpool (H)

April 23: Chelsea (H)

April 30: Everton (A)

May 7: West Bromwich Albion (H)

May 15: Manchester United (A)

And now they're pretty much safe....! Crazy how football changes so quickly! last week was huge for them.

They're on 35 already, beating Swansea and West Brom at home and Villa away will probably see them safe without even having to consider how they do against Spurs, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U... and Everton away.

 

They're only in trouble if they mess up in those three winnable games. Meanwhile, Palace who are two points below them have managed not to win a Prem match since 19th December in 12 attempts against such mercurial talents as Sunderland, Swansea, Bournemouth and Watford home, and West Brom, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Villa away, and even they have an 9 point cushion to the relegation zone at the moment.

Bournemouth probably need two points and they're safe. Basically they are safe now.

Bournemouth probably need two points and they're safe. Basically they are safe now.

So we can look forward to another non-derby derby next season. Just hope it's on a Saturday this time - had to take a day off work to get down to this one.

Bournemouth probably need two points and they're safe. Basically they are safe now.

Probably be next seasons Leicester!

Newcastle and Sunderland play each other next week. Winner stays up. Love to see a draw and Norwich sneak it though.

Newcastle will be safe now. Quality appointment!

Probably be next seasons Leicester!

Would fkn love that

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Newcastle will be safe now. Quality appointment!

A bit late though and the damage has already been done even Rafa is going to have trouble turn Newcastle's defenders into something solid (put it this way Yoshida would be the first name on the team sheet at Newcastle with regards to defenders). Big gamble from Rafa unless he has a relegation release clause in his contract not sure he'd like the championship much.

Would fkn love that

 

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Really? I would ****ing hate it.

Newcastle are in a better position than Sunderland and Norwich so I reckon with Rafa they'll just scrape home and stay up.

Newcastle are in a better position than Sunderland and Norwich so I reckon with Rafa they'll just scrape home and stay up.

So, Benitez or Allardyce ?

Long term theres no comparison, but has Rafa ever been in a relegation scrap before ? Certainly Allardyce has, and has the nous to keep his team chipping away to pick up points here and there. Be intersting to see how Benitez manages this (Leicester away, and a TYne-Wear derby in his first couple of games. No doubt we'll oblige to throw them a lifeline in a couple of weeks if they lose the first two under him).

So, Benitez or Allardyce ?

 

Long term theres no comparison, but has Rafa ever been in a relegation scrap before ? Certainly Allardyce has, and has the nous to keep his team chipping away to pick up points here and there. Be intersting to see how Benitez manages this (Leicester away, and a TYne-Wear derby in his first couple of games. No doubt we'll oblige to throw them a lifeline in a couple of weeks if they lose the first two under him).

if Rafa can keep them up. they will be fine. he is a quality manager

9 games or so to do it, with a side who have been in the bottom 3 all season, is a huge ask

if Rafa can keep them up. they will be fine. he is a quality manager

9 games or so to do it, with a side who have been in the bottom 3 all season, is a huge ask

Huge ask when your best defender is this guy

Remi Garde sacked

Garde has been royally stitched up to be honest. **** squad and even though he wanted to, they wouldn't let him add in January. It's nothing to do with the manager, it's all to do with the lack of management board level. Shambles

Long, long, long way back for them.

Probably on Garde-ning leave.

The board finally said 'Fire Garde'

The board finally said 'Fire Garde'

he was as good as a chocolate fire guarde

And of course Changing of the Garde

I feel a little sorry for Garde. He comes in knowing the squad is ****. Told he can strengthen but when he tries to, the board refuse to buy anyone so he still has the **** squad. Pre arrival, Villa had 4 points from 11 games. He got 12 points from 20 games.

And of course Villa sneak it out while an England match is on ITV. What a club.

He made a mistake taking the job. He may or may not be a good manager, but he didn't stand a chance there. They were appalling last season and lost their two best players. Just ridiculous. They'd have been just as bad off, if not worse under Sherwood.

Maybe not. It could just be that the money was too tempting.

I'd be surprised if Garde wasn't happy to go - this way he gets forgotten in between comedy Tim Sherwood and whoever it is that presides over the actual relegation. It's Redknappesque in execution.

Just think, Paul Lambert is their BEST manager since May 2012.

Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot to miss the rest of the season.

That's their 1st & 2nd choice keeper both out.

I'd be surprised if Garde wasn't happy to go - this way he gets forgotten in between comedy Tim Sherwood and whoever it is that presides over the actual relegation. It's Redknappesque in execution.

 

Just think, Paul Lambert is their BEST manager since May 2012.

They need a Pearson or a Dyche to guide them through the championship IMO.

The problem they have is that they signed lots of players in the summer for big money, on big contracts who are going to be hard to shift.