I'm certain that they will. But it is for that reason that I'm worried. No need to worry if you're prepared. I've accepted that in three games time, the table probably wont make for pretty reading. But so long as everyone remains positive, in particular the players, it wont be a problem.
Although slightly weirdly, even though there is every chance that the table wont make for pretty reading after the Chelsea game, we could still find ourselves outside of the bottom three. That is roughly what I'm predicting any way - a very, very tightly bunched bottom five, but with us maybe still just outside.
Certainly, over the next two games it is actually almost impossible for us to drop into the bottom three - if we did, it could only be on goal difference. (This assumes Villa lose tomorrow)
QPR are seven points behind, so clearly couldn't catch us.
Wigan don't play this coming weekend (FA Cup) so could only overtake on GD. Unlikely.
Reading and Villa play each other this coming weekend. If Reading lose, it would be impossible for them to overtake us. If it's a draw, Reading could only overtake us on GD. Unlikely. If Villa lose, they could only overtake us on GD. Unlikely.
It's only really in three games times, after the Chelsea game, that we could possibly drop into the bottom three - and by that time, we're ready to face our nice set of final seven fixtures.