Was just thinking that if WHU get pulled into the relegation fight proper [they're on the periphery, shall we say] and eventually succumb, I wouldn't like to be saddled with an Olympic stadium.
Congrats to Southampton another great result. Not far to go to guarantee another season in the top flight. We were god-awful today but thankfully Norwich were worse.
Sunderland were muted as relegation rivals back before Xmas (I was actually very vocal about them being a relegation candidate), but those back-to-back wins against us and City seemed to put all that to bed. Then, in the last month or so, those murmerings re-started again. The results last up turned those murmerings into loud noise, and today the volume is right up. They are in serious, serious trouble. If Stoke don't turn this around, they'll go into their home game vs Villa next under big pressure.
Well done nonetheless...your run in is not easy, but at this point I think that I'd back Wigan for survival even if it was mathematically impossible.
That would be my guess. Villa could end up being the third, but they seem capable of moments of quality mixed in with their more frantic spells. Plus, they have the easiest close of the contenders.
It baffles me that Pulis hardly ever uses Owen. He's played about 65m all season and has a goal. That's 65m from 6 sub appearances. One of those he came on after 90m. Pulis should have used him much more as a sub. 1-0 down against Everton he may as well brought Owen on as he only used 2 changes.
Reina and Lucas returning to the starting XI for Liverpool gives me confidence. Should improve them from their last outing! (Especially Lucas).
Likewise, Bennett for Clark for Villa gives me confidence! I thought Bennett looked a decent young prospect last year for Boro, as an attacking left full back. But he's clearly nowhere good enough defensively at this level - and Clark is arguably their best defender.
Could be on for three out three times where we beat a big side at home, only for Wigan/Villa to pick up three points themselves at home 24 hours later. Still, at least this time, there's more than just the three of us fighting to avoid 18th now.
