Well we've got to 40 points. That magical figure regarded as being safe from relegation. Of course, no team has been relegated with 40 points and it's a figure that nobody thought Villa would get to, three or four months ago.
But I have to say that as delighted as I am at Villa's six points in a week, I am absolutely gutted and angry with Wigan's win at Albion, which increases 'the line' to 35 points. Now, I said that Wigan would win at The Hawthorns, in a 'strange' atmosphere and that's what happened. Of course, the Baggies fans were desperate for Villa to slip up against Sunderland and if they had of done, you can rest assured that they would have been cheering the Wigan goals today! But enough of that lot down the road.
So, to my point. Everyone is thinking that Villa are safe but hold on, step back and think. On Mondaty night, Sunderland take on Stoke. Would anyone be foolish enough to bet against a DiCanio inspired backlash against a hapless and toothless Stoke outfit? The following night, a rampant and fired-up Wigan team will, I'm sure, despatch a half-hearted Swansea at the JJB. In fact, all at Wigan are absolutely certain that they will stop up yet again and I can't see any other result than a home win. So, come Tuesday night, what will the table look like?
FULHAM 40
SUNDERLAND 40
STOKE 40
VILLA 40
SOUTHAMPTON 39
NORWICH 38
WIGAN 38
___________________
NEWCASTLE 38
Hmm, are you still feeling as confident? Our next game is Chelsea and our final game is away at Wigan, who will probably be able to overtake us. Our goal difference is way inferior to the three above us and it only takes ONE result from Toon, Norwich and Saints for the unthinkable to happen.
So that's why I'm so angry with Wigan. You just know they will survive because they always do. If we were to go, it would be the most unjust relegation in Premier League history but it CAN happen. It's NOT over. Let's hope that Stoke and Swansea can do us an unlikely favour and pack Villa Park next week, to get us over the line.
Hold on! - We're FAR from safe yet
posted on 5/5/13
I think it's between Wigan, Norwich, Newcastle and us for the last relegation spot. I think we need 2 more points to be totally safe. Sunderland should be ok with two home games against Stoke and Southampton.
The three crucial games we need results in our favour are..
1) Norwich v WBA
2) Wigan vs Swansea
3) QPR vs Newcastle.
If any of these are draws or losses, I think we'll be ok. We just need Arsenal and Man City to do us a favour.
However, football never works out the way you think especially at this time of the season!
posted on 5/5/13
Just loving the rampant optimism on this thread.
Mathematically one of ten teams could still fill the last relegation spot. On current (April onwards) form we are the fourth best team in the league.
Who's going down?
Go figure.
UTV!
posted on 5/5/13
ARIES
Of your 'ten' clubs who have been relegated on 40 points:
- SEVEN of them were when the teams played 42 games
- Of the THREE (not ten) who were relegated from 38 games, the last one was ten years ago.
But even if you had of had a point, it would only have backed up my own point. A confusing and unnecessary comment.
OK, I didn't research my statement. I'm sorry. However, you actually did and you were STILL wrong!
posted on 6/5/13
lionbrad, well done for reading some facts. You made the bald statement that "Of course, no team has been relegated with 40 points". You didn't qualify it by saying over how many games, so why should I?
But finally you see that teams have indeed been relegated with 40 points or more. Over a 38-game season.
"But even if you had of had a point, it would only have backed up my own point. A confusing and unnecessary comment."
So, the three teams that have gone down in a 38-game season STILL backs up your point that "Of course, no team has been relegated with 40 points"?
posted on 6/5/13
Not sure Southampton are out of this. If Sunderland beat them, then they have to get something against Stoke.
Did the BBC Predictor last night, except for our match against Wigan. If Wigan win on Tuesday, then I reckon it's Newcastle or Norwich most likely for the chop.
posted on 6/5/13
No, the point being that we can still go down, which surely you do realise. But no, you'd rather pick at a tiny part of the post and ignore the 'point'.
As for backing up my point that we can still go down, well if there is a history of teams going down on 40 points then that backs it up doesn't it? I think you know that too. I assume you're actually not that silly.
posted on 6/5/13
McPARLAND
You're right, Southampton are in it as much as anyone. It's just incredible that four weeks ago, they thought they had blasted their way out of trouble.
It just shows that NOTHING can be taken for granted as EVERYONE was saying that Saints were safe.
posted on 6/5/13
If you look at it we need one more point I think to stay up.
Others may fail but can't see Fulham getting another.
Can we get one? You would hope so.
Stoke win tonight be useful, but can't see it, same as Swansea win tomorrow, or baggies weekend.
Can't rely on others a point against Chelsea and were probably ok. Probably
posted on 6/5/13
Stoke should have won tonight. Pillocks! That would have taken them out of the equation. Sunderland were pretty ordinary and are losing players one way or another. Think they are still in trouble.
Now for the interesting one tomorrow night.
posted on 7/5/13
Stoke under the circumstances should have won but they were woeful.
Still they are safe.
Can't wait to see what happens tonight, although I am not confident, no Michu.
Sunderland got a good point but now have no Sessegnon or Gardner. Also I would think a chance that Rose cannot play against Tottenham?
UTV