Relegation Chances

[Jimmy_D]

I won't deny that. But I was right and that is undeniable. I never set out to win the popularity stakes, just to tell it as it was.

 

Let's put it this way, you'd have made a small fortune at the bookies.

 

If you'd started with a enormous one.

[Saint_Tony]

thank **** for that. Although I get the impression some on here would prefer a 'high intensity' 3-2 defeat to a classic Pellegrino 0-0 draw. We are just about hanging in there. Next two games our our biggest for the last three years

 

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[Pamplemousse]

Palace have got Chelsea next and Stoke have Man City. Saturday is a great opportunity for us to put some distance between us and the bottom three, *if* we can get the win. Big *if*.

[saintsmike25]

We would have got at least a point against Man Utd, Palace threw it away. Those vital draws could be all-important, we just have to keep picking up points.

[S-Clarke]

Palace have got Chelsea next and Stoke have Man City. Saturday is a great opportunity for us to put some distance between us and the bottom three, *if* we can get the win. Big *if*.

 

We've had so many chances this year. Not holding out much hope!

[Plumstead_Saint]

I predicted the trend downwards way before anyone and was castigated. People are singing my tune now. I was the pied piper.

 

You predicted a relegation battle for us in each of the last 3 seasons.

It' seems like it's how you follow Saints - by constantly predicting disaster and then feeling good if there's a chance it might actually happen.

I pity you.

[shurlock]

We would have got at least a point against Man Utd, Palace threw it away. Those vital draws could be all-important, we just have to keep picking up points.

 

Doesn't help they've been ravaged by injuries pal. In many respects MP has been lucky to have a squad with a pretty clean bill of health

[OttawaSaint]

I won't deny that. But I was right and that is undeniable. I never set out to win the popularity stakes, just to tell it as it was.

 

It is deniable, you were plain wrong year after year.

 

So if I say, mark my words, the Queen looks a bit ragged, she's really slowing down, she'll abdicate this year. Then I keep saying it year after year until she either dies or steps down, would I by right in gloating and saying how right I was that she was declining and that I predicted it?

 

No, of course not, I'd be a total droning cretin, just like you!

[Manuel]

I actually feel a bit sorry for Palace tonight who gave it a go to the end and got hit by a great strike from a £40m player.

 

Agree with what someone said about Benteke though, I guess his legs had gone but it's pretty sorry when a player won't run for a ball (like Mane wouldn't before his transfer).

[Saints foreva]

Palace will still finish comfortably above us.

[OttawaSaint]

I actually feel a bit sorry for Palace tonight who gave it a go to the end and got hit by a great strike from a £40m player.

 

Agree with what someone said about Benteke though, I guess his legs had gone but it's pretty sorry when a player won't run for a ball (like Mane wouldn't before his transfer).

 

Bit like us up at City!

[Pamplemousse]

Dalek is just trying to wind everyone up, and succeeding. Ignore him and he'll go away.

[OttawaSaint]

Dalek is just trying to wind everyone up, and succeeding. Ignore him and he'll go away.

 

I predicted he would a few years back. I was the only one brave enough to do it at the time. Look at me! Look at me!

[Jimmy_D]

Palace were in 13th as things stood at one point this evening.

 

The relegation battle this season is ridiculous.

[Plastic]

Phew. That was close.

[Dellman]

Palace will escape. With a spirit like that and with key players still to return and with secure and experienced management they will be alright. We haven't got any of those things

[Lets B Avenue]

You mean the trend downwards where we finished higher than the season before for 7 years in a row?

 

Bloody hell, if you're going to troll, at least put some effort into it.

 

But there is no trolling on this site, because it is expressly banned.

 

The mods make absolutely sure of this.

[Pamplemousse]

Here are the average points of each team's remaining opponents

 

Leicester 34.56

Burnley 35.00

Arsenal 35.44

Liverpool 36.22

Crystal Palace 36.67

Chelsea 36.89

Man City 37.00

Newcastle 37.89

Everton 38.44

Tottenham 38.56

Bournemouth 40.11

Swansea 40.56

Man Utd 40.67

Huddersfield 40.67

Southampton 41.00

West Brom 41.78

Watford 42.67

West Ham 44.89

Stoke 45.67

Brighton 47.33

 

Although we do have a tough schedule, there are teams with tougher fixtures than us. Stoke are in big trouble, Palace might just get out of it, as should Newcastle. West Ham will be down there, as will Huddersfield, and don't rule out Brighton dropping down either.

[Jimmy_D]

Here are the average points of each team's remaining opponents

 

Leicester 34.56

Burnley 35.00

Arsenal 35.44

Liverpool 36.22

Crystal Palace 36.67

Chelsea 36.89

Man City 37.00

Newcastle 37.89

Everton 38.44

Tottenham 38.56

Bournemouth 40.11

Swansea 40.56

Man Utd 40.67

Huddersfield 40.67

Southampton 41.00

West Brom 41.78

Watford 42.67

West Ham 44.89

Stoke 45.67

Brighton 47.33

 

Although we do have a tough schedule, there are teams with tougher fixtures than us. Stoke are in big trouble, Palace might just get out of it, as should Newcastle. West Ham will be down there, as will Huddersfield, and don't rule out Brighton dropping down either.

 

There are probably at least 8 teams with fans convinced they're going down this season.

 

There can be exceptions of course, but goal difference is a decent indicator of teams out of position.

 

Our football might not be pretty, but it's been more effective than three other teams so far this season in terms of picking up points, and probably a bit unlucky not to have picked up more.

[doggface]

But there is no trolling on this site, because it is expressly banned.

 

The mods make absolutely sure of this.

 

Lol

[adysaint]

...and don't rule out Brighton dropping down either.

 

I'd been thinking that for months cos their run-in is truly horrific. But that Arsenal win changed it all for them.

 

They've still got a couple of winnable games (I think Home to WBA is one of them) and will surely get to 40pts.

[Saint Pete]

We would have got at least a point against Man Utd, Palace threw it away. Those vital draws could be all-important, we just have to keep picking up points.

 

What on earth makes you think we would have got “at least a point” against United? There’s zero chance we would have been 2 goals up in the first place!

[trousers]

You mean the trend downwards where we finished higher than the season before for 7 years in a row?

 

Bloody hell, if you're going to troll, at least put some effort into it.

He can't be a troll. The mods would have done something about it by now if he was, I'm sure....

[Saint_lambden]

No Zaha is the key for Palace. He's missed nine games this season and they've lost all nine. They've got more character than us but they're desperately lacking some depth at the moment so I think they'll go down.

 

West Brom are already sunk effectively, but I'd still have us as favourites for 18th with the clown in charge. Stoke under Lambert will continue to sh*thouse their way to safety, purely on the basis that we're marginally worse than them - because they actually win the odd game at home.

[trousers]

Just saw the Palace v Man Utd result and then came over to read this thread, scrolling back a few hours. Thanks for the retrospective entertainment. A Saintsweb classic

[SW5 SAINT]

Just saw the Palace v Man Utd result and then came over to read this thread, scrolling back a few hours. Thanks for the retrospective entertainment. A Saintsweb classic

 

Just done the same, classic entertainment. Saints still have to actually win a match though........

[Saint Albert]

Just saw the Palace v Man Utd result and then came over to read this thread, scrolling back a few hours. Thanks for the retrospective entertainment. A Saintsweb classic

 

Me too after watching the game on the PVR after work.

[saintsmike25]

I think the fact we already gained a point from them at Old Trafford might answer your question..

[Saint Albert]

Er didn't some pitch invade and confront their players?

 

Also last season they went ape **** too if I remember right after playing Sunderland.

 

Think you have dreamt up this notion that they sit there happy whatever is happening.

 

There was also that time Papa Soure (recently returned after being out for a year following horrific leg injuries sustained in a car crash) handed his shirt to a Palace fan in the stands after a league cup loss, and the fan threw it back at him...

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/25/pape-souare-has-crystal-palace-shirt-thrown-back-fan-following/

[Saint Pete]

I think the fact we already gained a point from them at Old Trafford might answer your question..

 

Ah yes, another classic 0-0, how could I forget?

[SNSUN]

Tonight was a relief but it shows we can't keep relying on other teams to shape our destiny this season, especially with Brighton all but guaranteeing their safety yesterday against the mighty, sorry shytey, Arsenal. Our fate is still in our own hands, we just need Pellegrino to gain some sort of tactical nous in the next 48 hours to have a fighting chance. From the bottom up, my guess:

 

- WBA are down. If they survive now then that's the biggest Boing they'll have ever experienced.

- Stoke have enough defensively IMO to scrape their way to safety. Whether they have enough in attack is another issue.

- Palace's defeat tonight will hurt them more than help them. Yes they were 2 up against United at home, but to then lose 3-2 will deflate them. And still no Zaha. They have attacking personnel but lack defensive reinforcements, although that youngster looked very good tonight, Aaron whoeveritwas.

- We can't buy a win, our home form is atrocious, but it might be our saving grace that we play more away now. Huge week coming, 5 points from the three games (incl. Stoke) would be a start. Any less and we're destined for the drop IMO. Beat both Newcastle and West Ham? Well that's dream land, and would set us up for safety.

- Newcastle are a bit hit and miss. Beat us and they'll be fine IMO, and with Benitez in charge they should be beating us tactically. Lose to us and they'll be close to the drop come the final day. Draw? Meh. I'd only take it if you guaranteed me a West Ham win.

- Huddersfield have showed character this season, seem to have a decent manager and have a couple of decent players. But will inexperience cost them?

- West Ham are, I think in real trouble. Short of defensive reinforcements, and with tough fixtures to come.

- Swansea and above will be safe IMO. Swansea have showed enough under Carvahal with some good attacking displays, Bournemouth on 33 points will be fine under their resent resurgence, and Everton under Sam will plonk their way to enough points for mid-table obscurity, although that won't be enough for Everton fans. Brighton are long gone - I think they spent wisely in the last two windows (if not further back).

 

I think Stoke, Newcastle and Huddersfield will be safe. I believe it'll be West Ham, Palace and Us or West Ham for the drop. The West Ham game is now insanely massive. They'll fancy their chances against us IMO - is Carroll fit? Yes just checked. Well that's a bit of a relief. It's definitely shaping up to be a "last day of the season" relegation battle. Which of course, for us, is a City-sized problem. Even on the beach wearing flip flops they could beat us.

 

If we do survive, do we celebrate it? Do the players whoop and cheer? It doesn't feel like something worth celebrating really...

[Dark Munster]

No

Worst, 2nd worst, 3rd worst, ... , 18th worst?

[SaintTex]

Which of course, for us, is a City-sized problem. Even on the beach wearing flip flops they could beat us.

we played them to a 1-1 draw for 96 minutes away.

 

anything is possible.

[Micky]

No surprise to me. Called it a couple of years ago. I was bang on accurate.

The only surprise to me is that you are still allowed to freely troll this site. Knob.

 

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[Heisenberg]

Tonight was a relief but it shows we can't keep relying on other teams to shape our destiny this season, especially with Brighton all but guaranteeing their safety yesterday against the mighty, sorry shytey, Arsenal. Our fate is still in our own hands, we just need Pellegrino to gain some sort of tactical nous in the next 48 hours to have a fighting chance. From the bottom up, my guess:

 

- WBA are down. If they survive now then that's the biggest Boing they'll have ever experienced.

- Stoke have enough defensively IMO to scrape their way to safety. Whether they have enough in attack is another issue.

- Palace's defeat tonight will hurt them more than help them. Yes they were 2 up against United at home, but to then lose 3-2 will deflate them. And still no Zaha. They have attacking personnel but lack defensive reinforcements, although that youngster looked very good tonight, Aaron whoeveritwas.

- We can't buy a win, our home form is atrocious, but it might be our saving grace that we play more away now. Huge week coming, 5 points from the three games (incl. Stoke) would be a start. Any less and we're destined for the drop IMO. Beat both Newcastle and West Ham? Well that's dream land, and would set us up for safety.

- Newcastle are a bit hit and miss. Beat us and they'll be fine IMO, and with Benitez in charge they should be beating us tactically. Lose to us and they'll be close to the drop come the final day. Draw? Meh. I'd only take it if you guaranteed me a West Ham win.

- Huddersfield have showed character this season, seem to have a decent manager and have a couple of decent players. But will inexperience cost them?

- West Ham are, I think in real trouble. Short of defensive reinforcements, and with tough fixtures to come.

- Swansea and above will be safe IMO. Swansea have showed enough under Carvahal with some good attacking displays, Bournemouth on 33 points will be fine under their resent resurgence, and Everton under Sam will plonk their way to enough points for mid-table obscurity, although that won't be enough for Everton fans. Brighton are long gone - I think they spent wisely in the last two windows (if not further back).

 

I think Stoke, Newcastle and Huddersfield will be safe. I believe it'll be West Ham, Palace and Us or West Ham for the drop. The West Ham game is now insanely massive. They'll fancy their chances against us IMO - is Carroll fit? Yes just checked. Well that's a bit of a relief. It's definitely shaping up to be a "last day of the season" relegation battle. Which of course, for us, is a City-sized problem. Even on the beach wearing flip flops they could beat us.

 

If we do survive, do we celebrate it? Do the players whoop and cheer? It doesn't feel like something worth celebrating really...

 

Decent summary mate. Agree with a lot of that

[Saint Fan CaM]

You don’t win games if you don’t score goals. We don’t, or at least nowhere near enough hence all the draws. I still have us going down on form unless something dramatic changes in our fortunes in the final third...unlikely with this manager.

[sfc6mufc3]

It's so frustrating when you see that Newcastle, Huddersfield, West Ham, Swansea, Palace, Bournemouth have all managed a win against a 'big' team this year.

 

We can't even do that. Sod the plucky draws against Utd away or Spurs/Arsenal at home, those should have been wins.

 

Will we do Chelsea at home? No, because we'll be more worried about them and that will be the game done. Teams have beaten the 'big boys' this year by showing no fear and playing on the front foot. Where on earth has this conservative/fear of losing approach got us? Adrift in 18th place. Surely that answers the question in terms of the approach and if it's actually working.

 

Someone wake this club the **** up.

 

 

I said this ages ago. All the bottom half with the exception of us and WBA have beaten one of the top 6 teams I think.

[Saint86]

Not looking good. A let off in that most of our rivals dropped points.

 

But we need a dramatic upturn in form.

[aintforever]

we played them to a 1-1 draw for 96 minutes away.

 

anything is possible.

 

Serious straw clutching there.

[sfc6mufc3]

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong, but I don't think we will win again in the prem this season. I can't see us getting anything from Chelsea, Man City, Leicester, Everton, Arsenal, Bournemouth or West Ham. West Ham have lost their last three games 1-4, 1-4, 0-3 but you watch us lose to them!!

[Doctoroncall]

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong, but I don't think we will win again in the prem this season. I can't see us getting anything from Chelsea, Man City, Leicester, Everton, Arsenal, Bournemouth or West Ham. West Ham have lost their last three games 1-4, 1-4, 0-3 but you watch us lose to them!!

 

Considering the surrender (64 seconds) to Newcastle. A draw or two could be there if we get lucky.

 

It seems the club are relying on none of the three worst clubs to not get the results to get above us.

[kwsaint]

We are now third favourite with SkyBet to go down after WBA and Stoke. Seems like the bookies have finally aligned to what we have known for most of the season.

[Dalek2003]

We are now third favourite with SkyBet to go down after WBA and Stoke. Seems like the bookies have finally aligned to what we have known for most of the season.

 

Well there you have it. They are often quite canny in their predictions.

[mrfahaji]

Considering the surrender (64 seconds) to Newcastle. A draw or two could be there if we get lucky.

 

It seems the club are relying on none of the three worst clubs to not get the results to get above us.

 

Huddersfield v Crystal Palace; West Ham v Stoke; Stoke v Crystal Palace; Swansea v Stoke.

 

Those are four fixtures where our nearest rivals are playing each other and therefore someone will necessarily pick up points. That ignores all the other potentially winnable games they have (e.g. vs Brighton, Watford, Bournemouth, West Brom).

 

Only a mad man would see picking up a few draws as a viable route to survival.

 

Unfortunately, it seems that's exactly what we have...

[mrfahaji]

Well there you have it. They are often quite canny in their predictions.

 

Not as canny as the fans who put bets on it earlier in the season. Presumably you must have put something on right at the start of the campaign?

[benjii]

West Ham game is critical. I think it's curtains for the loser of that.

[Morse]

West Ham game is critical. I think it's curtains for the loser of that.

Hard to argue with your conclusion. Wish I was around to go to it.

[adysaint]

I kinda want Palace to beat Hudd in a 'lose the battle, win the war' kinda way, even though we will plunge into the bottom 3 and have 2 weeks to do nothing about it.

 

Palace have the easier run in. Zaha is back early and the have a banker home to WBA on the last day. That's 3 pts to their total already. And they have mid table teams like WAT and BOU.

 

I reckon we'd have to win 3 of our last 8 to even have a chance to finish above them.

 

Hudd have a bit of fight about them but they are awful. And I still think their manager is naive. And their last 4 che (a) EVE (H) man c (a) and ARS (H) is pretty nasty.

[Dark Munster]

West Ham game is critical. I think it's curtains for the loser of that.

Even if it is, by then it'll be curtains for us too.

[Dalek2003]

Not as canny as the fans who put bets on it earlier in the season. Presumably you must have put something on right at the start of the campaign?

 

Oh...over two years ago!