[Archived] Relegation Watch

[Paul Mellelieu]

Dooms day proven wrong by Sam.

Next Dooms day soon to be proven wrong by Sam.

Iv not been too far off with my targets - We are currently 1 point ahead of schedule.

Old news. I've already admitted Sam has done better than I expected. And without the bizarre win at home to Spurs....

[Blue n White Rover]

Just a quick reminder to those who think Rover will get a point at COMC, City haven't drawn at home all season.

I'm going for a 2-0 win for Rovers.

McCarthy and Givet.

[DE.]

For some reason I don't think we'll win at City... but, I fancy us to take 3 points from either Pompey or WBA so a loss this weekend would not be a disaster.

[b12_simon]

For some reason I don't think we'll win at City... but, I fancy us to take 3 points from either Pompey or WBA so a loss this weekend would not be a disaster.

And even if we lose, Newcastle and Boro's failure to win will also see us safe. A point (or 3) will allow us to celebrate on Saturday night, though.

[Ray-Von]

And even if we lose, Newcastle and Boro's failure to win will also see us safe. A point (or 3) will allow us to celebrate on Saturday night, though.

It won't will it?

Though I fully expect Boro and Newcastle to get nothing this weekend.

[Fife Rover]

I am just a little worried at the prospect of us getting a win or even a draw at COMS. I know that is somewhat bizarre, but the thought of the players, management, or even fans getting into celebration mode mentally before we even play our remaining 3 matches could easily lead to disaster. We really do need to keep a feeling of apprehension and tension in our play and support until (hopefully) we go into the Baggies match mathematically safe, and they are already relegated. At which scenario, both teams can relax and give all the spectators a footballing treat.

[Hughesy]

2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss - id be happy with that in our remaining 4!

We have nothing to fear at City, lets go their with some confidence

[modes98]

It won't will it?

Though I fully expect Boro and Newcastle to get nothing this weekend.

They also have to face each other, so both would be unable to take full points from that fixture.

[1864roverite]

To avoid the drop

WBA have to get 12 points

NUFC have to get a minimum of 9 points

Hull have to get a further 6 points

Boro have to get 9 points mimimum

Sunderland have to get 5 points

Rovers need 3 points

WBA have Liverpool to play as do Newcastle. Boro have Manure to play, not to mention the biggest tyne/tees derby for years. Hull dont have it easy buit can expect to beat Stoke. Newcastle also away at Villa.

Sunderland have hard games as well.

Rovers may need just the 3 points or even less. After this weekend we will know who is in the mix for the drop. It will be 3 games to play, 9 points at stake and all to play for.

I dont see any net gains for any of the bottom 6 this weekend, Rovers perhaps have the best opportunity of them all. Even a point for Rovers is a big bonus and another nail in the coffins of WBA/Boro and barcodes.

After this weekend, the win against wigan will be pivotal for our seaso. It has saved us from a real hard last couple of weeks and has heaped each and everyone of our concerns onto the shoulders of Boro and barcode united.

[gumboots]

When I read the first sentence I thought "eh?". But I get what you mean. I think it's better just to get the points in the bag than do a kind of 'formula' thing. Obviously Sam ain't gonna do that is he?

City are due a draw at home I think.

No City are due a beating. They always are, and it would be great if we could give them it.

[Montfort]

I saw an interesting article on Sky sports. It stated that on average over the last few seasons the third club to go down has gone down on 36 points. Can this be correct I ask myself, after all it was sky sports? Also I dont want to trust Blackburns future to a satistical anomolie. However what is the probability that Newcastle will gain no more than 5 points from the remaining 4 games - not too bad I would think. I am just glad that the stats increasingly seem to be going in our favour but wont stop worrying till we have a few more.

[DE.]

To be fair, all three clubs at the bottom have been terrible this season, and none of them have ever really picked up any kind of decent run of form. Hull had theirs at the start of the season, we had ours in January during our little "unbeaten run" (a lot of draws, but all the points count now!), Sunderland had that period when Sbragia was first appointed where they were doing well.

Have Newcastle, Boro or WBA ever had a period so far this season where they've accumulated a decent points tally, or just not been losing?

[philipl]

Newcastle had a bounce when Kinnear succeded Kegan.

Strange that when the Toon have had their heroes in charge, they have been relegation fodder yet JFK was the one who actually managed to get a dead cat bounce out of them.

[Billy Castell]

Apparently they have been showing signs of life under St. Alan, but not enough to win a game.

[Iceman]

Newcastle? Life? I dont think so, more like an invalid barcode at the moment lol. They have been poor, 4th manager in charge and the season aint over yet.

[Billy Castell]

Didn't say they would get anywhere though. They sounded like they really tried to beat Portsmouth, which is a lot more than they had been putting in.

[DE.]

Newcastle had a bounce when Kinnear succeded Kegan.

Strange that when the Toon have had their heroes in charge, they have been relegation fodder yet JFK was the one who actually managed to get a dead cat bounce out of them.

Didn't that "bounce" in actuality last about two games, then was hyped up to a ridiculous degree by the media?

[Tom]

As I said a week or so ago I just want the season to end it's the not knowing and the maybe's that kill me.

The game before last is the worrying one, we visit Chelsea while the teams below us have winnable games, fail to be safe going into that game and I would fear the worst.

[champions1995]

Newcastle's form in October, November and part of December was won four, drawn six and lost two. The Toon have only won once since and that was at West Brom.

Boro have not really been on a decent run of form all season.

[MCMC1875]

Newcastle had a bounce when Kinnear succeded Kegan.

Strange that when the Toon have had their heroes in charge, they have been relegation fodder yet JFK was the one who actually managed to get a dead cat bounce out of them.

Shearer has lost 4 from 4.

If they lose at Anfield on Sunday and other results go against them, they could be 9pts adrift with 3 to play!

[Hughesy]

Shearer has lost 4 from 4.

If they lose at Anfield on Sunday and other results go against them, they could be 9pts adrift with 3 to play!

I thought Shearer had 2 defeats & 2 draws? From what I remember they drew with Stoke & Pompey did they not?

Also your other point is Impossible - unless Hull can gain 6pts from 1 game?

[Iceman]

A draw tomorrow, and defeat for Newcastle and Boro would mean we 7 points clear with 3 games to go. I cant see those 2 getting 8 points from 3 games, with those 2 teams set to meet. If boro and Newcastle draw their game against each other, then we would be safe imo. Tomorrows games for those 2 teams are crucial, lose and one of, if not both are doomed.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

A draw tomorrow, and defeat for Newcastle and Boro would mean we 7 points clear with 3 games to go. I cant see those 2 getting 8 points from 3 games, with those 2 teams set to meet. If boro and Newcastle draw their game against each other, then we would be safe imo. Tomorrows games for those 2 teams are crucial, lose and one of, if not both are doomed.

You're not wrong there Iceman. Maths isn't my strong point but- How can you get 8 points from 3 games ?

[philipl]

Talk of Ferguson playing the kids at Boro.

Oh heck!

[Hughesy]

I heard different, heard he was guna make big changes, but still keep alot of 1st team players/ squad players in there as they need the points still.

Arsenal however are likely to play all kids at Pompey - which will see them safe!