Relegation

[Jeff Jones]

We'd be no better off if we'd hung on for a draw on Sunday and we would be buzzing. As it is we're 2 points behind Burnley with a game in hand, and I think we'll win at least 2 more matches and they will lose some. We probably just have to win one more than them, so it's still in our hands.

 

[DanEFC92]

We'd be no better off if we'd hung on for a draw on Sunday and we would be buzzing. As it is we're 2 points behind Burnley with a game in hand, and I think we'll win at least 2 more matches and they will lose some. We probably just have to win one more than them, so it's still in our hands.

Leicester game was more of a missed opportunity.

 

[TN Toffee]

We have a game in hand on Burnley, does anyone know when do we play and they don't to level it up, I don't mean we play on Saturday and there not till the Sunday, I mean like a unique round?
I'm guessing it's either Palace at Home or Watford away?

It’s the Palace match that had to be rearranged because they were playing in the FA Cup semifinal.

 

[4737carlin]

It’s the Palace match that had to be rearranged because they were playing in the FA Cup semifinal.

Right yeah, hard to comprehend how big that is then, our last game at home this season, potentially the last in the PL, the game in hand

 

[efcfanwirral]

People assume club won't sign anyone, club will still be a big draw at championship level for players.

When West Ham went down in 2011 they signed Kevin Nolan who was captain of mid table Newcastle in the prem. Came straight back up (via play offs).

When Newcastle went down in 2016 they sold likes of Winjinaldum and Sissoko for 50m + and signed Dwight Gayle who scored 25 goals and they came up with pretty much 100 points.

Villa was a bit different as they were in ownership chaos for ages but eventually they got decent ones and signed likes of John Terry and Tammy Abraham (after he'd had a prem loan with Swansea) so really it's all about targeting a really good attacker in final third who floats around prem and championship or is young and up and coming.

This is what we need to do even if we stay up. If we rely on DCL and Richarlison combination for another season we'll be right back here next year. They don't work together, one needs to go

 

[TN Toffee]

Right yeah, hard to comprehend how big that is then, our last game at home this season, potentially the last in the PL, the game in hand

Never mind, I was wrong. They are also playing a rearranged fixture that day. It’s our game with Watford when we play and they don’t.

 

[ToffeeTim]

We do need to tear apart this squad but that does not equate to success in getting out of the Championship.

And we have only got the budget to go a year in the Championship before things get really nasty.

Any high earners have to go and we should be open to selling everyone bar maybe the FBs and Gordon, Dobbin. The rest I'd be fine with going. But there comes a number, a limit, of what we can reasonably expect to sell and then be able to compete which we do need to do.

Lampard, even if he's not the right manager, has shown it is possible to get a tune out of players that beforehand seemed helpless, so if he does stay that's certainly something to build on there isn't there.

All I'm saying is if people think we can get 10-15 players in this summer, if we go down, and somehow get them gelling in time for us to make a proper promotion push then I'd like to know what they're smoking.

I agree, hopefully it's all academic and we can have a 'hard reset' in the Premier League.

I've not suggested that. I don't think the players we have are capable of mounting a promotion push, because they are soft and won't battle away from home.

My point is that it's better to completely rip up the squad, have a fresh start and build something from the bottom up. If that takes a couple of years then so be it. It's far better than gambling that this squad get promotion, and risk our finances at the same time due to their champions league level wages. Why would we keep these players and expect them to win enough games? They are losers - it's not going to happen.

 

[Lee Smith]

In the space of about a week I’ve gone from “I hope we’re safe by the time we play Palace”, to “I hope we’re not mathematically down by the time we play Palace”.

 

[4737carlin]

Leicester game was more of a missed opportunity.

It was when you look at some of the chances we missed, they were rubbish that night and walked away with a point from us

 

[Jeff Jones]

Leicester game was more of a missed opportunity.

Yes it was, but we can't afford to miss many more opportunities, and we have a few coming up.

 

[NathDogg]

The media are already dancing on our grave, and we’re not in the fecking ground yet.

They are desperate for us to drop, as are most neutral fans it would seem.

I Didn’t think we were significant or offensive enough, as a club, to generate such hatred across the game?

Thinking about it, maybe it’s because we’ve spent fortunes only to make an absolute pigs ear of everything.

 

[davek]

In the space of about a week I’ve gone from “I hope we’re safe by the time we play Palace”, to “I hope we’re not mathematically down by the time we play Palace”.

If either or both Burnley and Leeds get beat on Saturday and we then beat Chelsea the following day, the calculations and expectations will all change again.

I expect us to get out of the bottom three one more time, and then we'll have to fight tooth and nail to stay out of there.

 

[DanEFC92]

It was when you look at some of the chances we missed, they were rubbish that night and walked away with a point from us

We were absolutely bobbins. But also missed two sitters.

 

[Zatara]

The media are already dancing on our grave, and we’re not in the fecking ground yet.

They are desperate for us to drop, as are most neutral fans it would seem.

I Didn’t think we were significant or offensive enough, as a club, to generate such hatred across the game?

Thinking about it, maybe it’s because we’ve spent fortunes only to make an absolute pigs ear of everything.

Its because of the performance against the media darlings.

 

[witchdoc187]

If we do the above, we will mathematically be safe in the Arsenal game

not sure we will go unbeaten in 5 mate lets be honest.