That Wigan result means a lot of teams are getting nervous. Newcastle, Sunderland even West Ham are not safe. Still think it will be the current bottom 3 who go but ...............
Not at all surprising considering our respective run-ins. Their fixture list is as frightening as their form. Call me crazy but I was rooting for Wigan, I'd like to think we can catch Newcastle
Love it when people get nervous after another team's result. It ain't gonna just fall into place - we have to work, and work hard, to stay up. We have it in us, and then some, to put in the performances to get 9 points, which I reckon will keep us up. It's firmly in our own hands, we're playing well and our defence has tightened up a bit. I can't even for one second think that we'll go down. I just don't see it happening. Looking forward to our PL season come August! UTS!
I wanted Wigan to lose because I hate the fact that we are still 4 above the drop even after such a strong performance as yesterday. They also have a game in hand (admittedly against United). Although it would be great to be higher at the end of he season, I will settle for safe after some of the trauma we've had. Yesterday's game gave me back my confidence which had been hit by QPR loss and Norwich draw. We have generally played well and sometimes very well this season without getting the results. However, we have been more consistent than most teams at the bottom, so I think we'll keep our distance until the end of the season. I'm sure you can throw some games in the hat, but, considering this is our first season in the PL, we have had. very few matches where we have been very poor. This is why overall we have been out of the zone for some time and our GD is better than many teams.
I think it's all part and parcel of the League. I suspect any fans get slightly itchy when a rival team can affect their position by winning or losing. My cheesed off state was completely removed by Chelsea beating WHU, in any case, because I have very high hopes of finishing higher than them and it'll mean my prediction, just a few weeks into the season, when WHU were riding high and Saints were rooted at the bottom, will come to fruition.
Anyone who like me saw your game yesterday and ours against Sunderland today won't be putting money on you going down.The Mackems were truly dire
After the weekend's results, we are closing in on a cluster of clubs. If we can keep on their coat-tails I can the spread of points being 45 at the top of the cluster to 38/39 for the team finishing in 18th. At the end of the day, goal difference could prove vital. In that repect we are better off than Villa and Wigan. I think our fixtrues against Reading (who look doomed) where we should be looking for 3 points and Sunderland are going to be absolutely pivotal, the Sunderland in particular. If it comes to class, we have more than either of those team. At the end of the day, class tells. I suppose that's why many think Wigan will muster an escape as they have a skillful team. As a side issue I note the Division 1 promotion race. That is really tight. 9 points separating teams from 1st to 9th!! Unlike recent seasons when there have been a couple of dominant teams no one has achieved that this year.
If Sunderland lose their next two games to Man U and Chelsea they will be iin deep trouble. Then they have the Geordies away.
As we can't trust either Villa or Wigan to do the decent thing and fall on their sword, I shall now concentrate on Sunderland. I'm still smarting that we haven't pulled further away, but at least it is not worse and one more game has gone. After their stupid 1.0 over Reading, i don't even trust ManU to beat Wigan in their game in hand. As you can see my confidence and happiness didn't last long
Would be surprised if Utd don't lose a game or two now in the league - it's won so the foot will come off the gas - just hope the Wigan game isn't just before or after the Manchester semi final if they beat Chelsea.
Reality is that Wigan have to win one more game than us to overtake us. They still have to play QPR and Villa have the distraction of the FA cup and they have away games at Arsenal; and City.
Lets not worry about anyone below us just yet. It's all still in our hands. We don't need to worry about other teams results until we are either in the relegation zone or level on points with a team in there. Looking at the table - its hard not to see Reading and QPR relegated, but the final spot could go to anyone upto Norwich (only 3 points ahead of us) who are in 12th! I think bottom 2 plus Sunderland at the moment
And they beat United last season around the same time. Plus United are so far ahead now, does it even matter to them? Could be a decent time to play them.
I had a bet on us to finish as top promoted team in October, but I recently traded out of that position. Don't think we'll catch West Ham, their home form is too good. On the face of it a 2pt gap is not much, but I think we've left ourselves too much to do.
Curbishley was talking about relegation candidates and showing goals, so I settled down to have a look. Never even considered us except in passing...good thing I suppose. He thinks it will still be present bottom three, with perhaps Sunderland being sucked in.
