If Saints stay up

[Ashley Grute]

Now we have played everyone and know what our competition is like, who are the worst 3 teams that you think will go down? I would go for Reading, QPR and Aston Villa.

Edited 3 January, 2013 by Ashley Grute

[AussieDog]

Reading, Newcastle & Sunderland! (wish it was QPR but saggy chops may just sneak them out of it)

[Tamesaint]

I think there will be some surprises to come. I confidently expect that 1 or 2 teams who have so far kept well clear of the relegation zone are going to find themselves in one heck of a relegation dog fight. It remains to be seen who strengthens and who does not in the transfer window but Newcastle for example are not going to be helped by selling Ba.

 

I would be more confident in my predictions after 1 February but at the moment I would go for Reading, Villa and Newcastle.

Edited 3 January, 2013 by Tamesaint

[jasoneuelllfanclub]

A lot of pundits say Newcastle are too good to be relegated, I recall that's what they all said last time they went down. I really think they have major problems up there, giving Pards an 8 year contract based upon 1 good season was ludicrous and they may well regret that.

 

For me QPR, Reading and Villa are the 3 weakest teams however I expect 1 other team to be dragged into it and end up being relegated, most probably Newcastle with Villa staying up by the skin of there teeth.

[Ashley Grute]

I watched Newcastle last night and although they lost, they were quite good at times. With Cabeye and Ben Arfa back, I think they will be OK.

[Maggie May]

I've always thought it but I believe Norwich will do a Hull-esque capitulation and struggle for the rest of the season. Their goal difference is pretty terrible too.

[Shanghai Saint]

For me Reading, Villa and one of Sunderland or Norwich.

[the stain]

If saints stay up what? The thread title and content don't match. A better title for this thread would be "who is getting relegated?" or "in your opinion who is going down?"

 

For what it's worth I think it will be Wigan, Reading and QPR. We will finish in 16th, above Villa on goal difference, both of us 1 point above the team in the last relegation slot.

[Cabrone]

Really not sure who is going to go down - as we saw last night anything is possible.

 

Villa and Reading look the weakest but both are still capable of putting some results together.

 

However I do think that we will need at least 40 points to escape and even then it's touch and go as I can't see 3 teams that will get less than 40 points.

 

Last night just bolsters that feeling for me.

[John B]

I have no idea as I am not a clairvoyant as I dont know what new players will drafted in to the teams at the bottom what injuries will happen and what errors players will make

 

But if we get in the right players and dont get too many injuries I think we will stay up which will be a great credit to Adkins dont care about any other team

[John Boy Saint]

Brother in law has a Chelsea ST he said last night that QPR were the worst team he had seen all season (despite their win) 10 men behind the ball all game and that if Chelsea didn't have passengers like Luiz and Torres they would have opened them up.

 

Hard to call who the 3 will be Blackpool a few years ago were on the cret of a wave seemingly out of trouble and then fell like a leaf in Autumn into trouble, so as others have said there could be a team no one expects. Reading could all of a sudden find their feet and do a repeat of last year to come from no where and by comparison breeze into a safe position come May.

[The9]

Now we have played everyone and know what our competition is like, who are the worst 3 teams that you think will go down? I would go for Reading, QPR and Aston Villa.

 

Hopefully those three, but I keep looking at the fixtures list and wonder where the points will come from before April. We need to win at Villa and Wigan and pick up other points with home games against City and Everton looming just to give ourselves a chance. Wigan are in the mix, Newcastle and Sunderland on the fringes. If West Ham keep having injury problems they could slide into the equation too.

[Golac's Iron Gonads]

QPR, Villa, and Reading are all weaker than us, I think they are the prime candidates to take the bottom 3 places. Fulham, Newcastle, Wigan are of a similar level to us and I don't think West Ham or Norwich are completely safe from being dragged into a relegation scrap. Really think we will be safe.

[tajjuk]

It's between us, Villa, Wigan, for 17th with QPR and Reading down for me.

 

I think now the team is settled we are better than all of them, but we are playing catch up and the lost points at home to Wigan, Sunderland, Swansea and Fulham may cost us so we need to use our improved resiliance and form to either beat Wigan and Villa away, as well beat the likes of Liverpool, Everton, West Ham and Stoke at home.

 

I think Newcastle will have enough, even without Ba, as long as Cabaye and Ben Arfa come back fairly soon they are getting a new full back in and probably another striker. They are now however 'too good to go down'.

 

Unless Villa get a couple of decent wins against Ipswich and Bradford I think they will be in a black hole of confidence that they may struggle to get out of and we need to fully capitalise when we go there.

[timayes]

I have no idea as I am not a clairvoyant as I dont know what new players will drafted in to the teams at the bottom what injuries will happen and what errors players will make

 

But if we get in the right players and dont get too many injuries I think we will stay up which will be a great credit to Adkins dont care about any other team

 

Have to agree with this. Screw your above on goal difference, a point out of the relgation zone views - honestly, one round of games into the New Year, and really, who the **** knows?

[UpweySaint]

QPR too far behind and lack that "team spirit" that often keeps teams fighting to the bitter end and, of course, I dont buy the 'arry hype

 

Wigan looked utter dross against us. I admit they have a habit of grinding out points and performing great escapes but this has to be the year. Not enough quality throughout their squad and a couple of injuries and they'd be sunk for me ...

 

Reading just poor. Championship squad for the most part. Again they, like us, might have real money to spend this month but their summer recruitment was uninspiring at best and, unless they manage to find real quality to add to their squad, can't see them picking up enough wins.

 

Of course ourselves, Villa, Sunderland and even Newcastle may yet find themselves in the bottom three come the end of May and this is all just a bit of guesswork

[70's Mike]

in answer to op Season Tickets will go up in price

[ericb]

in answer to op Season Tickets will go up in price

 

I probably won't be able to afford a season ticket next season if we stay up, especially when you factor in the increase in train prices

[Dr Who?]

Reading, QPR and either, Norwich, Fulham, Wigan, Newcastle, Sunderland or Villa.

[The9]

QPR too far behind and lack that "team spirit" that often keeps teams fighting to the bitter end and, of course, I dont buy the 'arry hype

 

Wigan looked utter dross against us. I admit they have a habit of grinding out points and performing great escapes but this has to be the year. Not enough quality throughout their squad and a couple of injuries and they'd be sunk for me ...

 

Reading just poor. Championship squad for the most part. Again they, like us, might have real money to spend this month but their summer recruitment was uninspiring at best and, unless they manage to find real quality to add to their squad, can't see them picking up enough wins.

 

Of course ourselves, Villa, Sunderland and even Newcastle may yet find themselves in the bottom three come the end of May and this is all just a bit of guesswork

 

Strange, I thought we looked utter dross against the Premier League Seasoned Wigan, who kept the ball and killed the game at 1-0 up. They've forgotten how to play since though, but at that point were on a pretty decent run of form.

[toe_punt]

DR Who,

 

Who is the greasy haired ***t in your avatar?

 

Not you I hope.....

[NickG]

Since rednapp arrived QPR have 9 points from 8 games...not enough of turn around yet to give them hope (we have 7 from 7).

 

If anyone makes good signings they will have a chance...QPR must have told him he would have money to throw around.

 

We are out of the relegation zone now so have caught up our terrible start.

 

Since arsenal away, when yoshida and Ramirez started playing there have been 16 games, we are 13th, gaining about 6 points more despite playing two less games, than others in bottom 6, we will keep climbing.

 

Last 10 games, decent period for form to even out, we are 10th. Bottom 5 are Newcastle, reading, Wigan, Fulham and west ham.

[rooney]

Since rednapp arrived QPR have 9 points from 8 games...not enough of turn around yet to give them hope (we have 7 from 7).

 

If anyone makes good signings they will have a chance...QPR must have told him he would have money to throw around.

 

We are out of the relegation zone now so have caught up our terrible start.

 

Since arsenal away, when yoshida and Ramirez started playing there have been 16 games, we are 13th, gaining about 6 points more despite playing two less games, than others in bottom 6, we will keep climbing.

 

Last 10 games, decent period for form to even out, we are 10th. Bottom 5 are Newcastle, reading, Wigan, Fulham and west ham.

 

We also have a + goal difference too.

[Thedelldays]

We also have a + goal difference too.

how long will that last..we have to visit old trafford and stamford bridge yet

[This Charming Man]

QPR, Reading and Villa are the worst teams I've seen and will be involved along with us and Wigan.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Hate to get all MLG on this thread, but we haven't yet played Chelsea

[This Charming Man]

Hate to get all MLG on this thread, but we haven't yet played Chelsea

 

Forgot about that.

 

Reading, QPR, Chelsea for the drop.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Forgot about that.

 

Reading, QPR, Chelsea for the drop.

 

They did lose to QPR...

[Trader]

QPR, Reading and Villa are the worst teams I've seen and will be involved along with us and Wigan.

 

Don't forget Newcastle - terrible ATM and now they've lost Ba.

[This Charming Man]

Don't forget Newcastle - terrible ATM and now they've lost Ba.

 

They have got some quality players still and they'll sign a few more this window. They will finish mid-table, I reckon.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Don't forget Newcastle - terrible ATM and now they've lost Ba.

 

Agree they have looked hopeless.

 

That said, I believe Cabaye & Ben Arfa coming back will see them good. That said, people said they were too good to go down in '09.

[Golden Balls]

We will be down there with QPR, Reading, Wigan, Villa and Sunderland. Reading will finish bottom. The rest is up for grabs in my opinion.

[PhilippineSaint]

Can we change the title to When Saints stay up ?

[bender]

a lot will be revealed at villa park. I'm getting my ticket monday.

[Maggie May]

My prediction for our game with Villa:

 

We'll put in a typically spirited performance only for Darren Bent, who make peace with Paul Lambert in the days leading up to the match, to snatch a late winner. Bent then enjoys a purple patch, rocketing Villa away from danger, leaving us to battle it out.