Relegation Battle - What do you think Now?

[Powdered Water]

I was at the Johnny Haynes stand against Blackburn, the usual teeth grinding and all. Call me a sinner, I thought we were going to lose before the game but because of that pessimism I suppose I feel better now as I think there is a real hope of staying up. Still hangs in balance but getting a point feels a lot looking back.

Say, let's be pessimistic and we were to remain at 36 points all the way.

Watford is gone so 2 relegation slots are shared between us, West Ham, Charlton, Sheffield and Wigan. WestHam Sheffield and Wigan are up against one another so it boggles my mind a bit on prediction. Outright win by Wigan or Sheffield will secure their survival. On the other hand, draw will mean we need at least another point in the next 3 games (arsenal liverpool middlesborough).

I'm a bit confused by all that, but realistically Wigan or Sheffield will stay up, leaving the last relegation slot between us and Charlton. That's a hard one to predict, but Charlton would have to win against either liverpool blackburn or tottenham. So it seems like Charlton has all the work to do (or more work to do than us at least).

Even better if we can clinch another point from somewhere but even if not, it may just be enough...

[CottageCrew]

West Ham has a heck of a road to go if they hope to stave off relegation. Fixtures remaining against Wigan, Bolton and Man Utd. If they can't pull points out of their tilt with Wigan, then I'd say they're pretty well up a creek.

Wigan and Sheffield could be very interesting, especially with a final weekend match. Pulling three more points in these finals three would make me feel a lot better.

And Charlton has none to easy a road to run.

I don't like that we have to debate this, I'd rather see them in far calmer waters. But it could be worse. We could be in the Watford supporters shoes now.

[Powdered Water]

Yeah I know.. funny how a month makes all the difference. The table is deceptive and so it's a close one to call.. but I think it boils down to us and Charlton and it seems Charlton has tougher time ahead.

As you point out, West Ham will lilely go. Lets assume they do. Say if they do, then that's Watford and WestHam relegated. One more relegation slot.

In theory, I think the main relegation battle is between Sheff and Wigan, but Sheff can stay up easily vs Wigan and Watford. So Wigan getting kicked down is an easier option. Relegation for Watford WestHam Wigan seem the most likely.

On the other side of the race, it's between us and Charlton. And Charlton is not only below us but have harder opponents than we do.

Academically we will stay up. In practice, I'm beginning to feel ill :(

[rednow.red4ever]

Yeah I know.. funny how a month makes all the difference. The table is deceptive and so it's a close one to call.. but I think it boils down to us and Charlton and it seems Charlton has tougher time ahead.

As you point out, West Ham will lilely go. Lets assume they do. Say if they do, then that's Watford and WestHam relegated. One more relegation slot.

In theory, I think the main relegation battle is between Sheff and Wigan, but Sheff can stay up easily vs Wigan and Watford. So Wigan getting kicked down is an easier option. Relegation for Watford WestHam Wigan seem the most likely.

On the other side of the race, it's between us and Charlton. And Charlton is not only below us but have harder opponents than we do.

Academically we will stay up. In practice, I'm beginning to feel ill :(

It's almost like when your a kid and you go to a haunted house or something and you just close your eyes and hope it ends soon...haha....at least that's how i feel....just want to pull out of this...and i think they can, even coming up this weekend, the arses have been playing uninspired as of late with the 4th spot all but secured.....therefore i think we have a good shot of sneaking in a draw at emirates....especially if Fulham can lull em into the motions a bit...

[OKTerrific]

I'm worried, but I think we'll be okay.

It just CAN'T happen to us. It just can't.


:o

[MasterShake29]

Aston Villa 3-0 Sheffield United - 63rd minute

Barring a monumental collapse, this means FULHAM IS SAFE!!!

[OKTerrific]

Aston Villa 3-0 Sheffield United - 63rd minute

Barring a monumental collapse, this means FULHAM IS SAFE!!!

Now that Villa has won, is it a Mathematical certainty that we're safe?

[Sultanofsham]

No, not yet. Charlton can still tie up with Fulham(39pt/-20GD) but they have worse goal differental. Charlton(33pt/-24GD) has to win vs Totscum and Liverpool so I'd say its as close as you can come without it being a mathmatical certainty :)

Of course West Ham (38pt/-25GD) and Sheffield(38pt/-22GD)would have to win or tie and gain on Fulham in GD since they are both below Fulham. Ham plays Man U and would have to win because Middle isnt going to hang 5 on Fulham. Sheffield has to play Wigan (who cant reach Fulham) and a tie would leave them hoping for Middle to beat Fulham by more than 2.

[Powdered Water]

Realistically, Charlton would be hard pushed to beat us, so we are safe in terms of "being realistic" (whatever that means).

But things have been so confusing and insane lately so somehow I don't feel comfortable at all. I should really.

[MasterShake29]

Did I mess that up? Oops. In any event, it's really close.

[CottageCrew]

IF:

19th Charlton beats 9th Tottenham Hotspur and 3rd Liverpool by a combined five goals
17th West Ham United beats 1st Man United
16th Sheffield Utd beats 18th Wigan

And Fulham loses to 12th Middlesbrough. Then Fulham wouldn't stay up.

[MasterShake29]

IF:

19th Charlton beats 9th Tottenham Hotspur and 3rd Liverpool by a combined five goals
17th West Ham United beats 1st Man United
16th Sheffield Utd beats 18th Wigan

And Fulham loses to 12th Middlesbrough. Then Fulham wouldn't stay up.

So even if Charlton wins Monday, we then need only 1 of 4 games on the final day to end in a draw or with the correct team winning, and we're good. Not the worst odds in the world.

[Laggard]

Ok, so Charlton lost 2-0 today. What's the situation now?

[Sultanofsham]

Fulham is safe. Charlton and Watford go down for sure and Fulham is out of reach of Wigan.:D

[Laggard]

Fulham is safe. Charlton and Watford go down for sure and Fulham is out of reach of Wigan.:D

For sure? Or in your opinion?

[OKTerrific]

For sure? Or in your opinion?

It's a mathematical certainty.

[Powdered Water]

God... can't believe this, but we did it. Only 2 weeks ago I was having a heart attack.

COYW!! now we have to sort out the next manager and start listing new players or we'll be down next season. Dodgy previous season usually carries over unless something changes drastically.

P.S. As I predicted, it did become all about between us and Charlton, didn't it :)

[Sultanofsham]

For sure? Or in your opinion?


For sure. Fulham has 39 points. Wigan sits at 35 points with only one game left. Now all thats left is to see who else is going down between Wigan(35pt), West Ham(38pt) or Sheffield(38pt). Wigan and Sheffield go head to head and West ham plays Man U. I hope Wigan wins and West Ham loses. They'd all be at 38 but West Hams goal differential would send them down. Justice for the Tevez BS.

[Laggard]

I can breath a bit easier now.

And yes, I'm praying for the Hammers to go down. Back where they belong.

[Blue Eyed Soul]

Sweet safety. (...faint strains of 'The Great Escape' in the background).

"Hear Hear" for the Team. We fans love you. You did it, despite the Chairman and his meddling.

Thanks and see you next year.

And if anyone from Nike reads this, f***in' make enough kits for us American fans next year to get one, damn it!