Who goes down?

There seems to be some suggestion of discord amongst the staff at Stoke.They had a good start but have now lost three on the trot.

 

I know they've had reasonable starts to the season, but it's far too early to not be including Cardiff and Hull in there, IMO.

Burley, Blackpool and , most of all, Hull last time all had good starts to their first season up here in recent years before bombing. Even West Ham last season ending up being thankful for their start, in the end.

 

Can't see West Ham being relegated. This season top to bottom has been strange, so not easy to predict relegation candidates. I'm sticking with Crystal Palace...possibly Sunderland as well. Other than that there are lots of candidates for the other spot. Bit early yet.

 

The third candidate has to be Stoke, surely? Mark Hughes doesn't have a great record in keeping mediocre sides afloat after all. Fulham and West Ham will be fine as they'll both probably strengthen in January, but I can't see Stoke having much hope.

 

After that West Ham result you're probably right!

 

We have dropped into the bottom three,but oddly I am more confident of us not going down after Chelsea.At times in the second half we made them look second best.Well done on 4th place,

 

Cheers CT. I siad to Maestro yesterday that I'll be surprised if you don't climb away. You have four winnable games now, win a couple of those and I think you will be fine.

 

It's a rare season when the relegation thread has only curiosity value to Saints fans. Before you all start touching wood and crossing fingers, this is so rare I intend to enjoy it.

 

True Fran. We still need another 8/9 wins to be safe though!

 

By Christmas then

 

Sky Sports News ‏@SkySportsNews 2mSky sources: Sunderland to appoint Gus Poyet as manager in next 24 hours #SSN

 

(for the appointment, not the post)

 

Can't post a link from work but have a look at the West Ham Spurs match thread. Trixter has been upsetting the locals!

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24447913?print=true

Charlie Oatway in the PL. That should create some sparks on the touchline!

 

Massive first match for Poyet at Swansea tomorrow. Lose and they could find themselves three wins from 4th bottom by Monday night.

 

I will be very happy when we reach 40 points as it has always been an important target for saints even if we where top of the league!

 

Agreed, it's genuinely a must win game for them already. (Well at least a must not lose). They will be out of sight before too long.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that they don't have much of a chance against Swansea tomorrow as well, Swansea are a great side.

 

Not too sure that losing away to Swansea will be that big a deal for Sunderland. Their following two matches are both perfectly winnable, especially with players who want to prove themselves and stake a claim in a new manager's first XI.

But yes, fail to beat Swansea, Newcastle and Hull, and then things will be a big deal. Somewhere between one and four points after ten games (although, that said, I do remember someone having four points after ten games last season, and surviving...), and a game vs Man City to then come wouldn't exactly be great for them!

 

Losing by 4 not a good start for Gus!

 

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.