Blackburn have to get a result away at Spurs or Chelsea plus beat Wigan at home and we have to lose every game for them to overtake us. Bolton need 5 points in 5 games to overtake us if we dont get another point. If we beat stoke its 8 in 5 games and might even be 8 in 4 games by the time the games are played. Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers Theyd have to do well to get 5 points there, never mind 8 points if we beat stoke. Its amazing how things can change week to week, I just hope they arent back in it after the villa game.
I must have been over all the different permutations a hundred times it's making me crazy but at least we have a very real possibility of staying up now.
Stoke are normally good value to gift three points to the opposition once they're safe. You have to hope we can take advantage of that as we should anyway with the players and work ethic we have now. Bolton were hugely fortunate to get a point yesterday and I really can't see them getting many points from those games. If we beat Stoke it would require some phenomenal performances from Bolton and Blackburn, who have Chelsea and Spurs away to play. You have to assume Wigan will thump Wolves on the last day if need be but they've got Newcastle at home and Blackburn away apart from that which will be far from easy.
We can't be complacent at all. Spuds crap away from home, stoke and WBA with nothing to play for versus a team with everything to fight for?
I suspect there is still a bit of life in bolton but their packed fixture list could work against them. Looking at their fixture list, 3 wins is definitely achievable. If we had that run home we'd be looking at 5 wins wouldn't we? Keen seems to think Blackburn have an excellent chance of staying up.....what is this guy on?
Aston Villa http://www.villatalk.com/index.php?name=....=asc&start=2730 Wigan http://www.cockneylatic.co.uk/index.php?....84200&Itemid=96 Blackburn http://www.roverstalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4107&start=885 Bolton http://www.boltonbanter.com/forum/view_topic.php?id=15327&forum_id=2&page=7
Am I correct in that wolves will be relegated today if city beat them? That's one place on the southbound bus taken Wolves might then start playing well with the pressure of staying up gone. Donny did it yesteeday
By the time we play Chelsea next sunday it should be clearer. Bolton will have played their 2 games in hand and hopefully got no more than a point Blackburn could lose against a wounded Spurs and Wigan to Newcastle Chelsea will be back from being given the run around by Barcelona and play us a week before the Cup Final surely they will rest players, especially if Newcastle and Spurs have put distance between them for the 4th Champions League spot. We will also have Cisse doing his lunatic act with a point to prove-he scores a late winner at the Bridge-does a backward somersault and the party begins..
I agree; when Bolton have played their games in hand we'll all be on the same number and what we actually have to do will be clearer. It's all as clear as mud right now to be honest.
Not in the slightest bit surprised that Blackburn and Bolton fans would be apprehensive about their chances of survival. No one in the bottom six can afford to be over-confident - including managers and players. On a positive note, it has to be a bit different for our players. They know the current team was not responsible for our lowly position and confidence is growing on the back of recent results as the team gels.
Looking at the way the teams play Blackburn are not as bad as their position and have two goalscorers, they're unpredictable but have a chance. Bolton are poor and will struggle. If Villa can take three points off them I think Bolton will fade away. A win for us v Stoke should be enough and a point at Stamford Bridge as well should guarantee survival. Wigan are not safe yet and may find Blackburn their nemesis... Remember only teams beginning with the letters 'B' and 'W' can be relegated...
Have to say our main we have two main advantages over the others 1) we have points on the board, proven fact that this is more beneficial than having games in hand. Secondly our goal difference is way better than every one else. I think it might go to the last game, but it might be that we musn't get beat by more than 5 ( or something like that ). Personally think we will def finish above blackburn and wolves, for me its all about bolton. 3 more points will be enough, bolton will not get 8 or more points.
Just checked the Villa forum, a lot of them are resigned to going down too, they think a loss to Bolton will seal it! So 4 sets of fans have already accepted relegation.
I don't think Spurs right now are a hard team to play right now. I could see Blackburn going there and winning. Chelsea under Di Matteo are hard to beat and score against so I think it would be a tall order for anyone to win there, but with the congested fixture list and Chelsea having bigger games to worry about QPR or Blackburn could catch them off guard. As Watford has said, Stoke when safe gift points easily. Wigan went there and won last year to keep themselves up so you never know. Picture will be clearer after Wigan have played Blackburn,
Blackburn are playing awful and things arent right there behind the scenes. Stoke will gift points away from home but I think they will be strong at home, a win win for us. Ill be watching the Bolton games when they are on so i can cheer on the opposition.
It's all about Bolton for me. Blackburn I think won't take any more points Be sorry to see terry Connor suffer today, seems like a decent bloke
