Premier League relegation in focus
Clubs desperately trying to scramble clear of the log jam at the bottom of the table
Sunderland’s precipitous plunge from top flight to third tier in successive seasons will have sent shock waves through the Premier League, where almost half the teams go into the final weeks of the season still haunted by the spectre of relegation.
Instead of filling their coffers from the off-the-scale TV revenues and fixtures against some of the biggest clubs in the world, Sunderland will next year be playing Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood.
Their demise will further sharpen the focus of players, fans, owners and shareholders of the many clubs desperately trying to scramble clear of the log jam at the bottom of the Premier League. So congested is the bottom half of the table that Crystal Palace, who began the season by failing to score a goal in seven successive defeats, have climbed to 11th, 38 points and probable safety.
They visit Stoke City tomorrow ■ with the hosts in dire trouble on 30 points, three adrift of safety, despite battling to three successive draws. “When we do get chances we have to take them this is a must win game for us,” Stoke manager Paul Lambert told Premier League Productions.
“They (the fans) can see the fight and the spirit that the lads have given them and I think that’s what Stoke City fans want — they want players battling for everything. That’s what they’ve done since we’ve been here and because of that we’re still well within the fight.” West Bromwich Albion, bottom on 28 points, have also shown fight recently but it’s almost certainly come too late and anything other than a home win over Tottenham Hotspur will seal their fate.
Southampton also occupy a relegation place, on 32 points, though they have three games remaining and still have a chance to get clear. They visit Everton tomorrow ahead of a potentially decisive clash with Swansea and a last-day appointment with Manchester City.