Relegation Battle Heats Up

By Brian Lofrumento | 26th December 2008

Relegation Battle Heats Up | read this item

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wigan-win-over-newcastle Every year football fans around the world gawk at the English Premier League, wondering which one of the Big Four will win the title. Less impressive, though, is the other end of the table: the infamous relegation battle. While it’s a tight race at the top of the table, it’s an even tighter race towards the bottom.

While the top seven sides in the Premiership are looking to lock down a European spot, teams from 8th place and below are all fighting for survival.

Yes, it’s true, EIGTH placed Fulham has more of an eye on survival than a place in Europe next year. A mere 5 points separate 8th place from 18th place in the league this year. Not a single team within this bunch can be assured of their place in the league next year, and Premiership Talk highlights these teams that are in the relegation battle.

8. Fulham FC

Fulham were heavily tipped for relegation before the season started, and a few key additions later (that means you, Andy Johnson) and Roy Hodgson’s side find themselves in the top half of the table. Personally, it’s hard for me to see Fulham perform as well in the second half of the season, but Fulham has proven that they are no pushovers. As long as Andy Johnson can make sure the goals keep coming and the Fulham defense can hold strong until May, fans at the Craven Cottage should be confident that Hodgson can keep the side up. After all, Fulham has had the third best defense in the league this year!

9. Wigan Athletic

Wigan’s season has mirrored the form of Egyptian striker Amr Zaki. When Zaki was scoring goals week in and week out, Wigan was reaping the benefits and picking up three points at will. Gone are the days where Wigan felt comfortable of picking up points against sides like Liverpool, and more recently Wigan has struggled to pick up any points at all. With half the season under their belts already, Steve Bruce will need to ensure that his players don’t get complacent. The possibility of survival is still there, but relegation looms large. The Latics are only 5 points ahead of a tricky Stoke side who have been known to pick up some massive points.

10. Bolton Wanderers

When Big Sam Allardyce was at the Reebok, Bolton was one of the trickiest sides in the league to play against. Always strong and tough at home, and stingy on the road, Bolton used to pick up points against the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal all the time. When Big Sam left, it looks like he took Bolton’s heart, and the hardworking club has been left behind ever since (although I’m sure Big Sam and Blackburn would love to trade places with Bolton this year). Bolton needs players like Kevin Nolan and Kevin Davies to lead by example, and that’s exactly what they’ve done so far. Only three points keep them out of the relegation zone, so there’s not a lot of room for maneuver. Bolton needs to find some consistency.

11. Portsmouth FC

I’ll be the first to admit it: at the beginning of the season I tipped Portsmouth for big things. A managerial change later and Portsmouth is a mess. Tony Adams appears to be in over his head (for the moment, at least), and Harry Redknapp’s presence is clearly missed. Lassana Diarra is on the way out, meaning Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch will have less support out of the midfield. Regardless, the two English strikers have still been getting on the score sheet, and the club from the south coast will need them to keep doing so if they stand any chance of survival. To be honest, Portsmouth is too good to go down, so I don’t think their fans should be worried at all about relegation. David James, Sylvain Distin, Sol Campbell, Niko Kranjcar, Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch, and company are all far too talented to face the drop.

12. Newcastle United

Unlike so many other teams on this list, Newcastle are on the way up instead of down. Excuse the fact that they just lost against Wigan, and Newcastle was on a six game unbeaten streak in the league. Joe Kinnear has finally got his side going, and the return of Michael Owen has definitely helped. On paper Newcastle is a great side, and as long as the furor surrounding the club settles down then they should be okay. Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins make up one of the best strike forces in the league, and Shay Given is one of the most dependable goalkeepers anywhere in England. Newcastle sit just two points out of the relegation zone, but should distance themselves from that as time goes on.

13. West Ham United

West Ham seems to get caught up in the relegation battle each year, and 2009 will be no different. Craig Bellamy is back at last, and he got on the scoresheet twice this afternoon as West Ham thrashed Portsmouth. With his scoring prowess and Robert Green in goal, West Ham has a solid core of players that are capable of finishing in the top half. Alas, this has not been the case. West Ham needs to keep their top players (Mr. Bellamy) and needs to turn Upton Park into a fortress again. The club has done a decent job away, but at Upton Park they have failed to get the points that they used to rely on. Gianfranco Zola has proved competent, so West Ham can easily stay up.

14. Sunderland AFC

The story of Sunderland this year has been like a dramatic reality series. Roy Keane was manager until he had a heart-to-heart with himself in his mirror and told himself that he no longer feels like the Sunderland manager. Now, Ricky Sbragia is doing an excellent job, both at the Stadium of Light and on Sunderland’s away travels. The return of Kenwyne Jones has surely helped things, and the duo of Jones and Djibril Cisse is proving to be one of the most powerful and paciest attacks in the Premiership. With goals finally pouring in, Sunderland could find themselves making a push up the table. Alternatively, only a two point gap separates the Black Cats and a return to the Championship.

Check back on Monday for the rest of the relegation battle candidates. Have your say about the relegation battle in the forums!