Whatever works, China! Having worked in both India and Bangladesh they're both fine places to be, but as you say, great result!
Wise words from AN in the PinkUn today: "Sunderland is the ideal match for us because we have a chance to get ourselves further away from the relegation zone,” he said. “If you already have the points on the board that is the important thing but of course after our defeat Sunderland carries a bit of extra weight now. We could have put a bit of distance between us. What happened on Sunday dictates a lot. We know it is still four and we can extend it to seven. Sunderland was always going to be big, regardless of whether we won or lost (at Palace). If we had won it was going to be massive for them. If we had drawn then the situation doesn’t really change, and if we had lost, like we have, then it was always going to be built up even bigger." Big Sam has backed off a bit to "don't lose!". http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/...ival_blockbuster_against_sunderland_1_4489474
While the main attention is focussed on our game with Sunderland, we need to keep an eye on Newcastle's game with Swansea, and then their game in hand against ManCity. If they are still at least 6 points behind after those, their chance would seem very slim indeed. Sunderland's game-in-hand is effectively Arsenal as we have no game that week, which then leaves everybody with 4 games to play. Winnable = Bold, Draw = Italics "6-pointers" = Underlined Norwich: Sunderland (H), Arsenal (A), Man Utd (H), Watford (H), Everton (A). Newcastle: Swansea (H), Man City (H), Liverpool (A), Palace (H), Villa (A), Spurs (H) Sunderland: Norwich (A), Arsenal (H), Stoke (A), Chelsea (H), Everton (H), Watford (A)
Not sure I want to update this, but nonetheless: Newcastle pick up a predicted win, whilst Sunderland win the final 6-pointer and take their destiny back into their own hands. Winnable = Bold, Draw = Italics "6-pointers" = Underlined Norwich fixtures: Arsenal (A), Man Utd (H), Watford (H), Everton (A). Newcs: Man City (H), Liverpool (A), Palace (H), Villa (A), Spurs (H) Sunderland: Arsenal (H), Stoke (A), Chelsea (H), Everton (H), Watford (A) Norwich +5 = 36 (38 played) --------------------------- Newcastle +6 = 34 (38 played) Sunderland +4 = 34 (38 played) Apparently I'm still predicting us to survive, but momentum will now be with Sunderland, and I could see them picking up additional points - any points in their next three games would be a huge bonus. I can also see us not collecting my predicted 5. With most of Sunderland's points predicted to come on the last day of the season, if this scenario plays out then they'd actually be relegated the week before, and we'd go into the last game still needing a point to be sure of safety. Goal difference has now clearly swung in Sunderland's favour too, we're not going to overhaul the current difference to them without them suffering an almighty defeat.
Our best chance for staying up is if Newcastle and Sunderland get no more points this season. It's difficult to say where we might get another one.
Thanks for the update, DH, even if it isn't encouraging reading. I thought we had the momentum up until today, but that freakish result turned everything on it's head.
If it helps any as a Sunderland fan I predict 5 points for us for the rest of the season, possibly 6. But then again I look at the fixtures and I think all 3 of us could be within a point of each other. Might come down to goal difference.
Fantastic points haul for everyone except us in recent weeks. Winnable = Bold, Draw = Italics "6-pointers" = Underlined Norwich fixtures: Man Utd (H), Watford (H), Everton (A). Newcs: Villa (A), Spurs (H) Sunderland: Chelsea (H), Everton (H), Watford (A) Sunderland +4 = 36 (38 played) -------------------------------------- Newcastle +3 = 36 (38 played) Norwich +5 = 36 (38 played) Current prediction then is for us all to end up on the same number of points, with Sunderland surviving thanks to a superior goal difference. Looking at the remaining fixtures, I firmly expect Newcastle to make 36 points, and Sunderland will get a win at Watford if they need it. Realistically, fail to get anything against United next time out and I think that's our season over.
Assuming we go down, I just hope it's Sunderland that go down with us. Magpies are starting to look good under Benitez.
I think you're right, DH. W. e can't go on hoping the others lose. If we can play like we did yesterday against ManUtd then we have a chance. The Watford and Everton games are winnable for us, but they are also winnable for Sunderland. Que sera sera.
If Newcastle go down though, their summer upheaval will be dramatic. Benitez has a release clause in his contract, and their squad seems to consist of players who think they're too good for a relegation scrap, never mind the championship. I don't think they have enough of the right characters to win promotion right away, although they do have sizable resources. Sunderland on the other hand have Sam Allardyce who knows his way out of the championship, and will be able to keep more of their squad together. They would concern me more.
