Bottom of the Premier League tighter than ever

A lot of football writers have a tendency to concentrate on the top of most European leagues (me included) I want to re-address that balance and talk about the battle for Premier League survival this season. I actually think the fight for survival can be more exciting than the battle at the top.

Condensed

The bottom of the Premier League is so tight that there are only seven points between 12^th place and 19^th in the Premier League.

That may sound like a big gap but some of the bottom teams have games in-hand on 12^th place Blackburn and could cut that points gap down within three games.

I’d say eight teams could join the already doomed Portsmouth in the Championship next season. The likes of Burnley and Sunderland have plummeted down the table from midtable safety and right into the relegation battle.

Survivors

Looking at the teams struggling to pick up points I can see West Ham escaping the drop, as they now have main striker and goal scorer Carlton Cole back from injury. They also have key midfielder Scott Parker fit-again. I just think they have a bit more quality in their squad but if they lose key players like Robert Green, Matthew Upson or Cole again then they could struggle.

Also I think that Hull will survive the scrap. A few months ago I didn’t think they had a chance of surviving but they are now starting to show the bit of fighting spirit that is needed in a relegation fight. Love him or hate Phil Brown is a decent manager and he has some good players available to him.

The two key players in their team are striker Jozy Altidore and midfield annoyance Stephen Hunt. Hunt is just like his boss, he’s not everybody’s cup of tea. However he gives his all and can create chances for his strikers.

Striker Jozy Altidore has all the attributes to be a top player in the game. He’s big, strong and has pace to burn. However he has struggled to adjust to the English game. In recent games though, he has shown that he could start to prove himself in the English top flight.

Sunderland have had awful luck with injuries in recent months. That has prompted a terrible run of form. In fact they have not won in 12 league games and drew with crisis club Portsmouth at Fratton Park last night. Sunderland, like West Ham, have some top quality players and I can also see them pull themselves away from the bottom of the league. They will always score goals with England striker Darren Bent in their side.

The 26 year-old has 15 league goals to his name already and would cause any defence problems. Then there is his striker partner Kenwyne Jones. The big striker has superb attributes but his poor attitude has hampered his season so far. If he can find form then Sunderland will finish comfortably in midtable.

I also think that much-maligned Bolton will be playing Premier League football next season. They have been in poor form but Owen Coyle is a canny manager and will find a way of playing that will see them safe.

Bolton’s North West rivals Wigan can play good football at times but are very unpredictable. I can see them picking up just enough points to survive this season. If striker Hugo Rodallega hits top form they will have no problem staying up.

Strugglers

The two teams that I believe will go down with Pompey are Burnley and Wolves. Burnley may have a decent home record but game by game they are slipping down the table. The Clarets have lost five out of the last six Premier League games and have won just one game under boss Brian Laws since he joined the club.

It would be a shame to see Burnley return to the Championship so quickly. They have added something different to Premier League. They are a proper old-fashioned football club with an old-fashioned stadium, a club with a soul and heart. However I feel that soul and heart won’t be enough to keep them afloat in England’s top flight.

Wolves are the other side I believe are heading for the Championship. I get the feeling from the fans that they don’t believe their players are good enough for the Premier League. Their shining light is striker Kevin Doyle but I don’t think he has the teammates to backup his efforts.

Wolves look likely to make a quick return to the Championship after just a season in the top flight. Their players will probably be better suited to the second tier of English football. They simply aren’t good enough for the Premier League and some of their fans have already accepted that.