I'm basing this premise on Fulham & Cardiff being doomed and for that I could end up with a lot of egg on my face. Fulham have taken 5 points out of the last 36 and don't look capable of pulling out. Cardiff have taken 9 points out of the last 48 and don't look capable either. The only thing in Sunderland's favour is the games in hand that they have (3 before tonight's game with West Ham). If they were to win all three that would put them on 34 points, ahead of ourselves, and level on points with Aston Villa and West Ham. They have 9 games left, 5 at home and 4 away. Their away games are very tough: Tottenham, Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd. On paper, at least, they will struggle to get anything out of those matches. Their best hopes will lie with the home games against West Ham, Everton, Cardiff, West Brom & Swansea. I don't give them much hope against Everton who are pushing for a Champion's League spot. Let's be kind and give them 3 wins and a draw in the other four which is 10 points and a season total of 35 points. Stay ahead of Sunderland and you stay up. For ourselves, that means one more win could do it, but I like the way Monk is saying he doesn't want to lose another game this season. Are we all cheering for West Ham tonight? Or do we feel West Ham are a side we can overtake? And a final question - assuming Man City qualify for the Champions League again, does that mean Sunderland have qualified for the Europa League next season as runners-up in the Capitol One Cup?
I'll be supporting West Ham myself, just to make sure, plus I want Poyet as our manager next season so that he can bring Ki with him.
Draw for me too , if someone has to win then come on West Ham----And I hate West Ham PS you mean Ki will bring Poyet with him as Ki is coming back anyways
Sound call that, and I'll go for the draw too!................ West Ham have a very tough run in, and I expect them to drop well into the mix!.................
I want WH to win. Never thought I'd ever say that (except when they play Cardiff of course). I don't really care if we overtake WH, I just care about Sunderland staying down there (with the Cardiff)
Sunderland loss My girlfriend is coming over from Canada chaps, just as you boys come into Toon, so I'm taking her to the match... Not sure who I'll tell her to cheer for!!! We've been safe for ages and are playing ****e, Swansea need the win so I can definitely have copious wet dreams about Michu next season.... hmmmmmmm tough choice... I suppose I best put on a good show about supporting Newcastle, so she doesn't notice the man-love...
At least our fate is in our own hands and we don't have to worry so much like some. Fulham are down and cardiff are probably down and it will be one of three WBA,Norwich and sunderland for the last place. Cardiff have a slim chance but their goal difference will probably be their downfall...
Anyone know anything about Sunderland in the Europa League as asked in the OP? Ok, don't bother, I checked on Wiki. Sunderland will NOT get into Europa League. "England (ENG): Manchester City have qualified for the 2014–15 European competitions by winning the 2013–14 Football League Cup. They will qualify for the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League if they finish in the top four of the 2013–14 Premier League, in which case their Europa League place would pass to the team that finished sixth or seventh in the league depending on the identity of the winners of the 2013–14 FA Cup. They may also enter the Europa League group stage or play-off round, depending on their league position and the identity of the winners of the 2013–14 FA Cup." Man U might make it into Europe yet.
1-1 half time. Spurs well on top with lots of shots but no finish. You know, looking at the way Sunderland have set up, I don't want us to go there having to win to stay up - we just don't like playing against that sort of formation, allowing that they are more defensive away at Spurs than they would be playing us at home. Ki virtually anonymous.
Well at least Spurs have got one back. I think it will be all over and done with by the last game Ivor. At least I hope it will be!!!!!!
