Well that's Cardiff truly stuffed then. Fulham grabbed themselves a lifeline then let it go, that's it for them I think. And I really can't see Norwich getting a single point from Chelsea or Arsenal. I didn't see that coming for Norwich, I thought their "Fortress Carrow Road" home record would save them. If those 3 do go down, Norwich is the one side I'd back to make a quick return.
I always thought Norwich would do just enough and finish a couple of places above the drop. Always very hard to say you will bounce back...very easy to fail, then find you are well and truly stuck as your team deteriorates. Happened to us.
I think Norwich are the most likely to keep their current squad together, in which case they look strong enough to perform well in the Championship. Fulham have a few underperforming Big Time Charlies who they probably won't want to or be able to afford to hold on to; mind you, they're in the FA Youth Cup Final, so perhaps they'll use the Championship to give their youngsters a chance. Christ knows what's going to happen at Cardiff in the summer. I fear for them.
I think Sunderland will be very lucky to survive. They played an ineligible player in 3 games and did not get a point deduction. Then you see teams like AFC Wimbledon and Alfreton Town getting points deduction. It brings up the West Ham situation again, the premier league should be setting the example and all teams should suffer the same consequences. I doubt we won't hear it again but if they stay up by a point I can see the team on the receiving end kicking up a fuss.
You might be right after this. Bound to be ructions!http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27192069?print=true
Sunderland have taken 7 points from City, Chelsea and United away. Looks like they'll stay up now. Well played, Gus Poyet.
Norwich are down. Which unfortunately means, due to the rules of the Universe, that we are going down next season too. Dammit Norwich.
In any case they could only deduct 1 point as that's all we earned in the games he played in, which wouldn't make too much of an impact
No team should be kicking off after the Sunderland thing, if they stay up now. All 19 clubs chose not to ask for any further actions and declared themselves satisfied when it was discussed at the Premier League meeting.
Dan Taylor says this... http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/03/sunderland-face-legal-fight-points-deduction The lawyers also note that Poyet has admitted being surprised the punishment was not heavier, and that Sunderland's manager has stated publicly that Southampton should have been awarded the victory when Ji played in the 1-1 draw at St Mary's in August. Thanks Gus (obviously a 1pt deduction is not gonna keep any of those teams up)
Amazed that Sunderland were dealt with so leniently...and leaving them in the Cup. However, should have been dealt with at the time...hard to do it now when the fans think they will stay up. On the other hand, relegation has such massive financial consequences that the team in 18th has every right to have a gripe with the league. But can PL raise an issue that has already been dealt with? And why didn't we argue and make it all kick off at the time?
