Relegation Battle....

[BWFC_Insane]

Who is for the chop this year?

Predicted points to be safe this year is apparently 42 (according to a group on the radio last week, that analyse the league and predict, usually correctly, the points total with 10 games left each year).

Looking at it, things look bleak for Wigan (snigger).

Wolves are battlers and won't give up but will they have enough quality?

West Ham look to have sorted their side out but have some tricky fixtures.

West Brom are enjoying a honeymoon period under Hodgson but have IMO the hardest set of fixtures.

Birmingham IMO will be OK they have enough relatively easy home games left and they are strong at St Andrews. McLeish will fire them up again.

Blackburn are on the slide, surely got good enough players to stay up but their manager is under pressure and their new "owners" appear to have made a mess of things.

Blackpool are the real unknown quantity. Surpassed all expectations and normally would be a win and a draw from safety now but as it stands probably still need three wins. They do have winnable home games though.

I'm not going further up than that as I think Villa will be nowhere near and Fulham/Stoke could still be sucked down but as it stands its between the 6 above in the main IMO.

My guess is Wigan, West Brom, Blackpool or Wolves.

What does everyone else think?

[thebish]

I think we're doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomed...

[clapton is god]

Wigan, Wolves and Birmingham I think, but its a real mix down there.

[seanworth]

While I doubt Stoke will drop they also have very poor form right now, and can't even draw on the road of late never mind win.

It is going to be a real dogfight and at present the teams playing the worst from the relegation teams are Blackburn, Stoke, Blackpool and Wigan. Wolves certainly have to be a favourite but their standard of football right now is pretty good and they look very determined. They also have an easier run, although many of their best results this season have been against the top teams. Wigan look much better on paper than their performances. Doesn't look good for them. Stoke as said earlier should avoid the drop but they have to turn around recent performances. West Brom are much more solid in the back since Roy came on board but they do have a tough run. Blackpool seemed relatively safe most of the season but right now look a favourite. Blackburn are in turmoil and their season could be defined next week against Blackpool. If they win they should survive. If they lose....... Personally I still dream that reality will set in for West Ham and they lose the momentum they have recently built up. Birmingham I think will be too distracted from the cup successes.

Predictions. Wigan, Birmingham and Blackburn or West Ham.

[Lord Kangana]

I just want to beat West Ham at home and Blackpool away so we can say we did our bit. A win at Birmingham would be nice aswell.

[BWFC_Insane]

I just want to beat West Ham at home and Blackpool away so we can say we did our bit. A win at Birmingham would be nice aswell.

And Blackburn?

I'd gladly trade letting Brum beat us in the league for a win there this Saturday!

[Horza]

Would be sad if Wolves went down, they've shown incredible spirit.

[spikeykev]

Really tough call this season, I think Wigan, Blackburn and Blackpool, but all the teams at the bottom seem likely to pick up some suprise results, think Wolves deserve to stay up feel a bit sorry for them really, played some good stuff this season. Villa will be ok and Stoke will pick up their points at home.

[Lofthouse Lower]

Would be sad if Wolves went down, they've shown incredible spirit.

no, it'd be funny

we can't lose West Ham as that's 6 points per season that we NEED.

Wigan, WBA and Villa

[keithbwfc]

wigan, blackpool, and WBA

[boltonboris]

wigan, blackpool, and WBA

That's my 3 too

[CAPSLOCK]

Wigan and a couple of others

And 40 points will be plenty

[BWFC_Insane]

Wigan and a couple of others

And 40 points will be plenty

Thats not what the experts say. I'd tend to agree with you though, BUT these guys are apparently usually right.

[Wandering Willy]

Wigan, Birmingham and Blackburn.

[Harry Genshaw]

Wigan, West Ham & Blackburn would be my dream 3 but I suspect

Wigan , Blackpool & Birmingham. I think all 3 will pick a few more points up yet but WBA, Wolves & West Ham all seem to have some momentum. Stoke & Blackburns home form should keep them up.

[Dujon]

Firstly: I don't think we'll get dragged into the competition.

Secondly: It's going to be one heck of a scrap this season (I don't like to think of the angst of the fan whose team is sitting on less than, say, 35 points at the moment - that's Stoke down).

Given that Brum's got a couple of games in hand I reckon that the four 'W's will have a battle royale to sort out the victor.

[officer_dibble]

I was in a select group of 1 I think when I predicted Stoke to go at the start of the season... Having said that looking at their squad they should have enough...

Wiggin - Tara
West Brom I think will go...

And there is always an outsider dragged into it...I can see west ham having enough and wolves (12 points next season sorted)....sooo I'll plump for Blackburn. Please?

[Wandering Willy]

Firstly: I don't think we'll get dragged into the competition.

You sound like my dad - he doesn't think we're safe yet. That's what 60+ yrs of watching the Wanderers gets you!

[Dujon]

You sound like my dad - he doesn't think we're safe yet. That's what 60+ yrs of watching the Wanderers gets you!

Give my best regards to your dad - he sounds like a sensible sort of chap.

[Wandering Willy]

You sound like my dad - he doesn't think we're safe yet. That's what 60+ yrs of watching the Wanderers gets you!

Give my best regards to your dad - he sounds like a sensible sort of chap.

Will do. I'm trying to get him to understand the idea of highlight shows. He refused to watch Match of The Day on Saturday in case we lost.