For me this is the standout fixture of the weekend and possibly pivotal in the race for survival. I feel that both sides can feel very optimistic about coming away with a win. Bolton have come out of a tough run in and now have a spell of pretty favourable fixtures, in contrast QPR have a very difficult set of fixtures coming up after this game. I feel that from a Bolton point of view it's important not to let QPR pull away but if you are a Rangers fan given Bolton's dismal home record thus far (no offence) you'd be targeting this game as a must-win. Nothing will be lost this weekend, but something can certainly be gained. 36 points will be enough to guarantee survival this year. Minus the two North East clubs, I feel that all of Bolton's games are winnable. In fact if QPR had their run in, I would be 100% sure Rangers would stay up. QPR on the other hand have some tricky games but have impressed at home to the bigger sides. I think QPR can still definitely feel optimistic of at least one more scalp. On paper QPR's squad is easily better than the other 4 IMO and it's just a matter of time as to when the team will gel, it's never easy when a new manager has to blend in so many signings.
District, a good post and you are always welcome here. I have to admit that i disagree with just two of your points: a. I think that it may be a record low points required for survival this year. IMHO, i think 32-33 will be enough. Some very poor teams this year. b. you stated "nothing will be lost this weekend". I can't agree with this. IMO everything can be lost for both teams this weekend. We don't need to win but we can't afford to loose considering the very difficult games we have coming. We have an incredible last 8 games. We need to pick up any points we can including Sat. Every game is now a cup final for us. If Bolton loose and we open up a 5Pt gap, i think they will be bucked.
Games are very rarely must-win but given our run-in and the fact that at least one of Wolves and Blackburn will be picking up points, anything but a win will leave us in the ****. If we win then that could well be the knock-out blow for Bolton.
Thank you. I do think 33 points might be enough but I'm not 100%. 36 points IMO would guarantee PL football for any team next season. I think Villa and everybody else above them can realistically consider themselves safe. Any of those teams should be able to win 2 games from now till May. I don't think Bolton would be doomed with a loss although it would be damaging. Luckily for them they don't have to go to City, Chelsea or Man U away and still have Blackburn at home and then of course Swansea and Fulham who travel fairly poorly. I suppose it's more of a must-not lose than a must win if your Bolton.
I wouldn't totally rule Villa out of it at the moment,granted their next 2 games are at home to Fulham and Bolton,but after that they have Arsenal(a),Chelsea(h),Liverpool(a),Stoke(h),Man Utd(a),Sunderland(h),West Brom(a),Spurs(h)and Norwich away.If they don't win either of those first 2 games,without Bent and Keane they could well be pulled into the mire with those remaining games!
DL I'm more concerned that you consider Boton v QPR the 'standout' match of the weekend!! Then again compared to how Chelsea are playing both Bolton & QPR must look like Brazil to you mate
I just think on 30 points Villa have enough. They need 6 more points and I think they'll easily get it, if not from us then Stoke, WBA and Sunderland at home are easily winnable. I'm going to Villa on Saturday and I think they'll win Well maybe Wolves vs Blackburn as well actually, those two have the most significance
DL, one point of order. Your post is from a neutral perspective but you know you are a closet QPR fan! Good post. Completely anxious about this game.
I was at Saint Andrews last night and going to watch Villa vs Fulham on Saturday (I'll be hoping Fulham win), so I guess you could say I'm a closet Fulham fan
Realistically it's the bottom five isn't it? I have been revising the points needed down all season from 41 to about 35 now.A point a game isn't bad for when you consider that the average so far is around 0.75ppg.Personally I think 13 points from your last eleven would be quite good considering that you have virtually the whole of the top half of the division to play after tomorrow.Bolton is the Last Chance Saloon.
The maths are simple for us now. We need to do as well as, if not better than, the teams below us. Every weekend. That means that a draw will only be good enough for us if Wolves and Blackburn also draw. Ideally a draw for them and a win for us will open a 2 point gap from Blackburn / Wolves and a five point gap from Bolton, and also Wigan ahead of their game on Sunday. Where it then gets a little squeakier is when we're playing the top 5 teams, and our rivals are playing each other....
Each of the bottom clubs need to win games. Simple as. Points matter, obviously. Winning this would give us a kick start into the final games of the season which is necessary. A win this weekend against Bolton is the only thing we can look to get out of the game, nothing else will be acceptable. It's as simple as that. Also. This could work in our favour, because they will simply be taking points off of one another!
