Relegation?

[Legion]

Bang on the money.

[Chris Jameson]

I really don't think we will go down I reckon we will do enough to stay up but we need to do something in the summer get some good players instead of average ones in but like the rest of you I'm getting fed up of seeing us struggle each season.

Darren nails it as usual.

It's only a matter of time before he's reporting on your behalf. One take Darren.

[Chris Smith]

I see it going one of two ways; if Benteke remembers what he used to do that made him so good then we'll be fine, if not then it will be tight and we'll just have to hope that enough of the clubs who have been worse than us all season stay that way.

If I was a gambling man I'd put 50p on us staying up by a narrow margin.

It's more the supply to Benteke, he never was much good when it was hoofed from back to front he's much better when it's played into feet or crossed from wide.

I think he was, Paul. He made things happen with his movement and power and at the same time it tied up defenders creating space for others. That's not happening now, partly I'm sure because teams are better prepared for him but also because he appears to have lost a bit of confidence.

[Ron Manager]

I feel certain that if we lose to Norwich with an own goal by Grant Holt in the third minute of injury time.....absolutely nothing will happen at all! 

[Ian.]

I see it going one of two ways; if Benteke remembers what he used to do that made him so good then we'll be fine, if not then it will be tight and we'll just have to hope that enough of the clubs who have been worse than us all season stay that way.

If I was a gambling man I'd put 50p on us staying up by a narrow margin.

It's more the supply to Benteke, he never was much good when it was hoofed from back to front he's much better when it's played into feet or crossed from wide.

I think he was, Paul. He made things happen with his movement and power and at the same time it tied up defenders creating space for others. That's not happening now, partly I'm sure because teams are better prepared for him but also because he appears to have lost a bit of confidence.

Last season Benteke looked like the complete striker. Scoring from headers, long range shots, tap-ins and taking people on and doing it himself. He looked world class for a large spell.

[brian green]

Or, John, if Newcastle is anything to go by nothing will happen and Holt will laugh.

[Legion]

Or get sent off.

[supertom]

I see it going one of two ways; if Benteke remembers what he used to do that made him so good then we'll be fine, if not then it will be tight and we'll just have to hope that enough of the clubs who have been worse than us all season stay that way.

If I was a gambling man I'd put 50p on us staying up by a narrow margin.

It's more the supply to Benteke, he never was much good when it was hoofed from back to front he's much better when it's played into feet or crossed from wide.

I think he was, Paul. He made things happen with his movement and power and at the same time it tied up defenders creating space for others. That's not happening now, partly I'm sure because teams are better prepared for him but also because he appears to have lost a bit of confidence.

I think that's right. Last season Benteke made a hell of lot of his goals completely off his own back. He spent large chunks of last season not particularly getting great service. Though Gabby and Weimann did make it easier on him from Feb to May when they also hit form. But even when he hit the ground running this season, he still never quite reached the level he had in the previous spring. He scored goals, but you rarely saw him pick the ball up and just plough his way through the opposition...which he can do.

But like anything, teams become wise to it. They get much tighter to Benteke or let him have more of the ball in areas he won't hurt them. As you say, he's low on confidence which is also a factor.

[brian green]

I still think his mind is elsewhere.   Rio probably.   Baros swung the lead blatantly in the pre WC season.   I don't think CB is such a malingerer as Baros but if I were a betting man, which of course I am, I would bet that Benteke will come good again next season.   I hope he is still with us.

[cheltenhamlion]

As an old timer, Brian, what about comments from the likes of Mazrim and I earlier? I am genuinely interested by your views.

[olaftab]

I really don't think we will go down I reckon we will do enough to stay up but we need to do something in the summer get some good players instead of average ones in but like the rest of you I'm getting fed up of seeing us struggle each season.

Darren nails it as usual.

Jeez yes ...why hasn't anyone else said that?

[ktvillan]

Under Houllier  Bent's goals  probably kept us up - plus we still had some good players like Young and Downing (that season at least).  Last year Benteke's goals kept us up.   The Mcleish season I think it was just a case of three or four  absolutely gash teams being worse than us.  This year I'm not convinced there are 3 worse teams, nor does it look like Benteke is going to smash the goals in.  So it could be touch and go this time. 

[Fergal]

Under Houllier  Bent's goals  probably kept us up - plus we still had some good players like Young and Downing (that season at least).  Last year Benteke's goals kept us up.   The Mcleish season I think it was just a case of three or four  absolutely gash teams being worse than us.  This year I'm not convinced there are 3 worse teams, nor does it look like Benteke is going to smash the goals in.  So it could be touch and go this time. 

Thats just how I feel.  We are being so badly run  its criminal.

[Archie]

No chance to avoid relegation with at the helm a manager that makes us to play the worst clueless football I have seen in my fan's carreer.

[clash city rocker]

Relegation this season would set us back years and we are already years behind the top teams. In fact relegation this year would see us light years behind the top 4.