How many points for safety ?

[andyh]

It is generally considered that 40 points pretty much guarantees safety.
Given how tight the league is and how closely bunched most teams are, I reckon its going to take closer to 45 points this season.
That should keep a team out of the bottom 3.

What do you think ? About right, safe with less, or more points required ?

[cdbearsfan]

70.

[Arsey]

71

[Legion]

1 more than whoever finishes in 18th place gets.

[Chris Smith]

42 - 45.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

42

[Holtenderinthesky]

About 15 less than a European spot.  41 will do it, 56 could see us in front of the bindippers.  There are easily 3 worse teams than us but are there many better outside the top 5?  I'm not sure, today will tell us a lot I think.

[sfx412]

43

[CJ]

It's really tight this year and every time it looks like a team's cast adrift they start picking up points. I think we may need 43 to be sure

[Villa'Zawg]

If I remember correctly, West Ham were relegated with 42 points. It is not inconceivable that someone is relegated with even more this season. I wouldn't want to go in to the final 2 games still needing results to go our way.

[CJ]

If I remember correctly, West Ham were relegated with 42 points. It is not inconceivable that someone is relegated with even more this season. I wouldn't want to go in to the final 2 games still needing results to go our way.

Going back a bit further Norwich went down with 43 points. In both cases I think we ended up just above the relegation zone. Like you I'd like to get enough points sooner rather than later and not have to depend on results in our last 2 games against Arsenal and Liverpool

[cdbearsfan]

Norwich's 43 points were accumulated in a 22 team league though.

[ozzjim]

Injuries have cost us being in the mix for top 6 still you know this season. The run before Christmas and now the defence away at a side like Bolton being bare bones have killed us, never know a season like it injury wise.

I reckon 44 to be certain, but could still be as low as 39, things are just so unpredictable. Wolves have a decent run in, Blues have a quite tough one. West Brom are fighting and Hodgson is experienced in saving the thought condemned. West Ham have the firepower to stay up. Blackpool are in trouble. Everton need a couple more wins too. Tight!

[peter w]

38

[CJ]

Norwich's 43 points were accumulated in a 22 team league though.

Ah, yeah, good point - forgot about that