Relegation Battle a Game of Up and Down

As uncertain as the destination of the Premiership title this season, is the relegation conundrum, which changes shape on a weekly basis and is almost impossible to predict.  At the beginning of the season, I anticipated that Burnley, Wolves and Hull would fall by the wayside.  I probably should have, but did not at that time, deem Portsmouth relegation candidates, though they now look all but doomed. 

Another side I did not expect to find themselves so deep in the mire was West Ham.  I instead envisaged a comfortable mid-table finish for Gianfranco Zola’s starlets; on reflection possibly a naïve prediction given the inexperience of their squad, though the unforeseen retirement to injury of Dean Ashton, was a massive blow. 

I did not expect Roberto Martinez’s first season at Wigan to be a breeze, and although he does play attractive football, I am sure no Wigan fan would give their style of play precedence over their Premier League place. 

Blackburn have surprised me this year, since I thought they might struggle, but it is hard to believe, with all those teams beneath them, that they will become embroiled in the dogfight. 

So my synopsis regarding the relegation duel appears to require review.  I am going to upset every Pompey fan and speculate that a miracle recovery is beyond them, especially with the club’s financial plight evidently stymieing the player’s efforts.  I just hope they find some solace in their cup run.  What a way to go down if they were to lift the trophy in May. 

My next ‘victims’ are Burnley.  They would have been many peoples’ also-rans at the beginning of the season, and although the Clarets started the season with real determination, beating United at Turf Moor as they defied their critics early on, they have suffered since the departure of Owen Coyle to Bolton.  I am a fan of Brian Laws, but do not envy him his current situation. 

It has almost got to the stage where Burnley fans will be wondering where their next points are coming from, especially in view of Saturday’s ‘six-pointer’ going in favour of Wolves.  Mick McCarthy seems to have a knack of getting these results when it really matters, and for that reason I think his team may avoid the drop.

This leads me to the final team to exit the Premier League this season.  I am going to stick with two of my original three, and say that Hull will be also be relegated this season.  The dismissal of Phil Brown could galvanise the players, but is just as likely to backfire.  The trouble at Hull is if Jimmy Bullard isn’t firing, the whole team appears lacklustre, and I just think that, having survived by the skin of their teeth last season, they won’t be so lucky this time around.  Whoever the division loses, it is going to be a dramatic climax to what has been a tumultuous season thus far.

Mike Dicker