The Plot An Escape From Relegation Thread.....

[PaulWinch again]

We need 5 wins to stay up for me with our goal difference.

[SoccerHQ]

I don't see teams going down with 38 or 39 points tbh, I think 36 will be enough.

Bolton went down with 36 points last season, in 09/10 I'm pretty sure West Ham stayed up on 35 points and think Newcastle only had 34 when we relegated them the season before.

Only in 10/11 have you needed 40 points to stay up. That was a freak year as Man. United only needed 80 points to win the league that year (they'll get 90 + this season) and the 2nd place team only got 70 points (again City will get more than that). That mean the teams in the bottom 6 were picking up more points.

Even if Reading and wigan pick up a bit, it suggest the games they'll be winning and drawing will be against the likes of West Ham and Norwich. Neither are anywhere near safe yet so that will send those two hurtling towards the bottom 3.

Reading is a real must not lose as that's one of their winnable home games left this season as I can't see them getting much away between now and the end of the season.

[russon]

I reckon this welcome spell of 1 game in 14 days (which we won) has done us the power of good. Having spent weeks staggering like a punch-drunk boxer from one blow to another, we've enjoyed a period of relative calm.

What is now critical is that we do not capitulate to Arsenal & Man City. We're likely to lose but for goodness sake let's keep it close. A humping in either fixture, especially the first, would undo the positive vibe enjoyed since the West Ham game. My half empty glass is now half full and I'm beginning to believe again. 

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I think changing Bennet for Baker against West Ham is a massive change in PL thinking. Bennet may well get better but right now Baker is probably our strongest and most positive defender. Bring Gabby back in for Bowery and i feel the team has better strength and tenacity and after watching Arsenal think we have a chance of coming back with something ....... 

[danlanza]

I think changing Bennet for Baker against West Ham is a massive change in PL thinking. Bennet may well get better but right now Baker is probably our strongest and most positive defender. Bring Gabby back in for Bowery and i feel the team has better strength and tenacity and after watching Arsenal think we have a chance of coming back with something .......

3 points, no probs.

[eamonn]

I reckon this welcome spell of 1 game in 14 days (which we won) has done us the power of good. Having spent weeks staggering like a punch-drunk boxer from one blow to another, we've enjoyed a period of relative calm.

Exactly, and very well-put. A lot of us were praying for the snow to cancel half the games in January. Since Christmas, every four days or so bore witness to another clusterfuck with no let-up.

[dekko]

I think changing Bennet for Baker against West Ham is a massive change in PL thinking. Bennet may well get better but right now Baker is probably our strongest and most positive defender. Bring Gabby back in for Bowery and i feel the team has better strength and tenacity and after watching Arsenal think we have a chance of coming back with something .......

I'd like to agree with you but I have a feeling that Baker was only in at left back because we needed someone bigger and stronger than bennett to defend against West Ham's tactics.  I wouldnt be suprised if Bennett comes back in for the next game.

[LeeB]

I reckon this welcome spell of 1 game in 14 days (which we won) has done us the power of good. Having spent weeks staggering like a punch-drunk boxer from one blow to another, we've enjoyed a period of relative calm.

What is now critical is that we do not capitulate to Arsenal & Man City. We're likely to lose but for goodness sake let's keep it close. A humping in either fixture, especially the first, would undo the positive vibe enjoyed since the West Ham game. My half empty glass is now half full and I'm beginning to believe again. 

My optimism levels have soared in the last couple of weeks, so much so I think we'll have a barnstorming end to season and end up in mid table.

[Jockey Randall]

I think changing Bennet for Baker against West Ham is a massive change in PL thinking. Bennet may well get better but right now Baker is probably our strongest and most positive defender. Bring Gabby back in for Bowery and i feel the team has better strength and tenacity and after watching Arsenal think we have a chance of coming back with something .......

I'd like to agree with you but I have a feeling that Baker was only in at left back because we needed someone bigger and stronger than bennett to defend against West Ham's tactics.  I wouldnt be suprised if Bennett comes back in for the next game.

I agree. He was the right call for that particular game. Arsenal will be different where we probably need to score at least once to get anything and Bennett, although very suspect defensively offers more going forward. It looks like a case of being caught between a rock and a hard place for Lambert. Either choice could still end up with us taking a heavy beating.

[kippaxvilla2]

We're still on track.  3 out of 3 and we can still afford to lose next week.

[Irish villain]

We're still on track.  3 out of 3 and we can still afford to lose next week.

And our goal difference wasn't damaged hugely yesterday. We need to keep it tight against City and beat both Reading and QPR. 30 points going into the Liverpool game and I'd fancy us to stay up. Even with 28 points going into that game I think we'd be well in with a shot. Anything less and it will be a struggle to Wigan away.

[kippaxvilla2]

I realise it is small comfort but I now have four out four match predictions folks - I am predicting a draw on Saturday and stick by that.

[Greg N'Ash]

I'm still desperately hoping it will go to the last day. Pretty much 'as you were'after this weekend with everyone from Southampton down in the doodoo, so 3 from 5 currently. A lot will depend if we can drag the likes of MONderland and Newcastle back into it. Only 6 points off........

[SoccerHQ]

4 points minimum needed from the next two, if we get that at least we can move away and isolate Reading and QPR.

[kippaxvilla2]

Well the first of my 5 predictions was wrong but I am delighted because we are now 2 points ahead of my forecast at this time - if only they could beat one of Liverpool and QPR would make us really start to believe not that I don't already.