My friends, it will go down to the wire.
We all know that the Baggies and the Black Cats are history.Forget about Bolton though, I can't see them taking the drop. Look at the team and the management. They've even scored themselves at the death for a change against Spurs rather than the other way round which has knocked the stuffing out of them on more than one occasion.
The remaining fixtures and form point the way. I've just gone out and stuck £50 on Villa to take the drop at 14-1. I reckon you should go and get some of that as well my friends.
Here's East Stand Martin's thinking on why that £50 isn't being pissed down the drain:
West Ham United
Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Chelsea at home. Southampton, Bolton, Manchester City and Birmingham away. Average position of those teams: 11.7
Let's face it our form is excellent. I'm not delighted to hear that Michael Carrick is out of the U21's with a groin strain, but ten points from the last last four tells its own story. Who says that we can't take another ten points from the next four?
I've got to admit that I don't like the look of our goal difference, but the future looks bright, my friends - we have our future in our own hands. The game against Villa is huge, the one against Bolton is massive.
ESM Verdict: Gloria Gaynor.
Bolton Wanderers
Manchester City, Us, Arsenal and Middlesbrough at home. Chelsea, Blackburn and Southampton away. Average position of those teams: 9.0.
Hats off to Allardyce. The form is very good and they have a record of turning it round when the chips are down. I like their spirit. They've only lost once in the last six, taking 11 points out of a possible 18.
It's touch and go. The Manchester City game at the Reebok is a must win otherwise things could get fatal.
ESM Verdict: Survival - just.
Leeds United
Spurs, Fulham, Blackburn and Aston Villa at home. Charlton, Southampton and Arsenal away. Average position of those teams: 8.9
Ok, it's looking awful. Have lost their last five in all competitions as well as their manager. Spirit looks very low although they have had a tough set of games (including Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool).
This is a hard one to call. My heart says they will go, but my head says no. Too much quality there and they have a decent set of home fixtures. I'm bothered by that performance at Anfield last time out that was pure shite. If I wasn't going to be at Birmingham for our final game of the season I would certainly be at Leeds v Villa as there has to be a good chance that this game will determine who goes down.
ESM Verdict: Survival.
Birmingham City
Sunderland, Southampton, Middlesbrough and Us at home. Spurs, Charlton and Newcastle away. Average position of those teams: 11.1
They're in a rich vein of form. I'm one of those who actually likes Robbie Savage. The Frenchman may be a cheat, but he's class. They've won three of their last four, and the win over the Baggies at the last gasp was a massive boost.
Sunderland next game means three points. They're going to get out of trouble, although their goal difference is poor (not as bad as ours, unfortunately). I don't like the look of the away fixtures though and they could end up with nothing on their remaining travels with the possible exception of the trip to dire Spurs.
ESM Verdict: Survival, though they may need to beat us on the final day. Hope we don't need to win to stay up at that game I fear for the fixtures and fittings at St Andrews if that is the case.
Aston Villa
Arsenal, Chelsea and Sunderland at home. Us, Newcastle, Everton and Leeds away. Average position of those teams: 9.7
They may have the most points at 36, but let's face it one point from the last 15 says it all. They did give ManUre a fright but they should have beaten Southampton last time out. It looks like freefall and only Sunderland looks like a decent win prospect. A horrible run-in and they could lose their next 5 games (particularly the game at Upton Park) and turnip head could fulfil his destiny and return to where he belongs in the lower division.
Dublin's out through suspension (he won't be at Upton Park) and it's hard to see where their next goal is coming from as Crouch looks totally out of it to me. We could well send them down if we beat them at Upton Park and that's why I've shelled out £50 on them to take the drop.
ESM Verdict: Relegation.
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