12/18/24
April 26, 2005
Who's for the drop?: Given that the top three teams in the EPL are sewn up, what about the bottom three? With three matches left (and a maximum of nine points to be won), Southampton (20: 28pts), Norwich (19: 30pts), WBA (18: 30pts) and Crystal Palace (17: 30pts) are fighting to avoid that distinction. This is the tightest relegation battle I can remember. According to the article, Norwich looks the most likely to survive. What do you think?
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 11:45 PM - 18 comments
I would hate to see a Bryan Robson team go down but I'm afraid the schedule is too tough for WBA. My pick is for Norwich to stay up. They just look more like the real deal to me more than any of the others, except when Robert Green loses his way in goal. He's a great shop stopper but seems to have his head in the clouds sometimes. Southamptom are absolute crap, especially after getting slaughtered by their most hated rivals this past weekend. These guys should donate their wages to charity....they don't deserve a premier league check themselves. Crystal Palace definitely have a chance with Johnson and I love their goalkeeper wearing "my old sweats"...and Kiraly's also a damn good 'keeper. But I'm going to stick with Norwich. I just think through and through they look like the best team...and don't forget Dean Ashton...
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 07:28 AM on April 27, 2005
This sucks, because I like all 4 of those teams. Despite not winning many matches, at least they all try and play attractive football which is good to watch. Compare them with teams like Blackburn, Newcastle, Aston Villa who are all hopeless mid-table wannabes that play ugly football. Southampton are doomed I'm afraid, I'd like to see WBA stay up, but that run-in is just evil, so they're down too. Of the other two... it'll be close, but Palace will stay up.
posted by afx237vi at 08:20 AM on April 27, 2005
Great summary wc2k2. Here's my worthless opinion. I'd say it's down to Palace and Norwich, but given Palace's schedule and form, I'd guess they'll be staying up.
posted by trox at 08:44 AM on April 27, 2005
If only the top of the table were as interesting. Frankly, I sometimes wish the Villa were a 1st division (sorry, 'Championship') club, at least it's interesting all the way through the season there. My take on it: It's way too close to call! I'd say the Baggies and Southampton look doomed, with either Norwich or Palace fighting for the survival spot, but really, I've got no idea. 2 weeks ago, I'd have probably said the opposite, with Norwich looking a dead cert to go down and the Baggies with the best chance of staying up. Compare them with teams like Blackburn, Newcastle, Aston Villa who are all hopeless mid-table wannabes that play ugly football. I think you missed the most obvious candidate - Bolton.
posted by BigCalm at 09:05 AM on April 27, 2005
I hope Birmingham, Tottenham and Portsmouth all go down...
posted by StarFucker at 09:23 AM on April 27, 2005
I'd love both the Baggies and Naaarwich to stay up for various reasons - the Baggies because they're local and Naaarwich because of the gracious way they reacted to us defeating them on pens in the playoff final. However, 3 out of 4 must go. I'd say it'll be: WBA (run-in too tough) Southampton (bottom already and rubbish) Palace (I don't like them and then we can nick AJ back off them) I actually managed to watch the Baggies v Blackburn game on my pc last night using Winamp and streaming media, despite the fact it wasn't on tv in this country (I suspect I was watching Kuwaiti tv with Sky Sports commentary). If I can get hold of any more streaming sources like this I'll make them available here on SpoFi.
posted by squealy at 09:25 AM on April 27, 2005
BigCalm, I was going to include Bolton actually, but I thought that at least they're going somewhere (albeit slowly). They've made big improvements in the last few years, and they still have a mathematical chance of making that Champions League spot this year. Compare them to Aston Villa, who never look like challenging the big teams, yet at the same time they never look like getting relegated. They just stagnate in the middle of the table, playing for draws. Every. Single. Year.
posted by afx237vi at 09:30 AM on April 27, 2005
Compare them to Aston Villa, who never look like challenging the big teams, yet at the same time they never look like getting relegated. They just stagnate in the middle of the table, playing for draws. Every. Single. Year. Darn, I so hate it when you're right. Arse.
posted by BigCalm at 09:45 AM on April 27, 2005
wc2k2, nice work If I can get hold of any more streaming sources like this I'll make them available here on SpoFi. squealy, please do! now onto my ign'ant commentary. WBA is fucked. Soton is fucked. Its a coin flip on the other two.
posted by garfield at 09:55 AM on April 27, 2005
Maybe Fulham will somehow contrive to lose all four of their remaining games and allow both Palace and Norwich to stay up.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:41 PM on April 27, 2005
Fullham is that close to the bottom? (I'm not accessing soccer news sites at the moment so I can watch the CL match unspoiled later.) I suppose somebody has to be 16 and 17, just didn't think it was them. My preference is for Crystal Palace to stay up, would be interesting to see how they do with a second season in the tops, how the management looks to improve over the summer. Plus they might be able to keep Routledge. Norwich, don't like them as much, though Huckerby's a character.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:48 PM on April 27, 2005
Sorry BC, I didn't even realise you were a Villa fan! Sorry man, you've got my sympathies.
posted by afx237vi at 03:16 PM on April 27, 2005
bill, here's the Premiership table with no spoileration. Just don't click any of the links!
posted by afx237vi at 03:18 PM on April 27, 2005
Thanks afx. Watched the CL match by now so no problems. You notice how the four teams above Liverpool all have a game in hand? Annoying.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:32 PM on April 27, 2005
England currently get 4 spots for Champions league qualification but this does not change if an English team win the competition. If Liverpool win the Champions league, The English FA will then have to decide whether Liverpool or Everton get the place for the Champions League. Also, the last time there was a new pope, Liverpool won the European Cup (wasn't called the champions league then). more here. So, going purely on destiny (certainly not on form or ability), Liverpool are going to win the Champions League.
posted by BigCalm at 04:37 AM on April 28, 2005
Well, if they kept a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge with Biscan and Finnan in the starting lineup, one can only hope they can put one more goal in than they allow at Anfield Tuesday.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:29 PM on April 28, 2005
I pick Palace to stay up, because Southampton have looked like the new Coventry, (lots of seasons at the top, but one bad run away from doom), since, well, since the real Coventry got relegated. This leaves the Baggies to go down, which won't concern me too much as I don't rate Robson, with Norwich. Despite being an Ipswich fan, I don't want to relegate the Budgies. I'd much rather gas them in a coal mine. Starting with Delia.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 09:21 AM on April 29, 2005
Run-in analysis: Southampton v Norwich (H) v Crystal Palace (A) v Man U (H) Injury list: 5 Verdict: Two points off the pace, but destiny in their hands with next two matches against fellow strugglers. But looking most likely to go given current position and hurt list. Norwich v Southampton (A) v Birmingham (H) v Fulham (A) Injury list: 0 Verdict: "Form team of the bottom", no injuries, likely to profit at Soton, but has most away games, and unpredictable opponents, unclear if can score enough to pull through. Not optimistic, even with current form. WBA v Arsenal (H) v Man Utd (A) v Portsmouth (H) Injury list: 2 Verdict: Solid in-form team has worst possible run-in, with back-to-back matches against #2 and #3 teams who are still battling for that automatic place in the Champions League. May profit from matches between fellow strugglers Crystal Palace, Norwich and Southampton. Crystal Palace v Newcastle (A) v Soton (H) v Charlton (A) Injury list: 2 Verdict: Most likely to survive given presence of Andy Johnson, league's 2nd highest goalscorer, and matches against teams that are all in a slump.