It is no secret that we are in dire and uncertain times at the club. The three plyers we rely on the most are all out for a number of weeks. The manager and the coach appear to be bickering on the touchline. And our relegation rivals seem to be finding form. But what are the chances that we will be relegated come May? It is vital that all the players are playing for the club, and that the manger gets the best out of his team. As we know we are missing some key players in Callum Wilson (Hamstring), Allan Saint-Maximin (Groin), Miguel Almiron (Knee), Fabien Schar (Knee) and Javier Manquillo (Ankle). If we had a fully fit squad our chances would certainly look better as before the set backs we seemed to be playing good Football. Now it feels as though we are relying on the clubs around us to be worse in order to survive this season. We cannot predict the future however we cant estimate using the forms and fixtures of those around us to determine just how bleak our destiny looks.
Sheffield United
Sheffield United Currently sit in 20th position with just eleven points and their next four games being: Aston Villa, Southampton, Leicester and Chelsea. It is unlikely they will get any points from these fixtures however stranger things have happened in the beautiful game. Dean Smith hasn't seen his side claim victory in the Premier League since their 2-1 win against West Brom on the 2nd of February this year.
West Bromwich Albion
West Brom sit in 19th position with seventeen points. in the next four games they play: Everton, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Chelsea. The Baggies will seek to claim points against Newcastle and Crystal Palace however from the Everton game Sam Allardyce and his men only have three days rest before the Geordie boys come to town. West Brom are however on a bit of an unbeaten run winning Brighton 1-0, and drawing their other two previous games against Manchester United and Burnley. But with some big fixtures coming up I do not see their run of form lasting too much longer, I'm Predicting a possible four points from the next four matches.
Fulham
Fulham have been on a bit of a resurgence as they still occupy the 18th position with twenty three points just sitting on the edge of the wrong side pf the relegation zone. Fulham's next four fixtures are arguably the toughest with Spurs, Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds United all set to face the Cottagers. Fulham have picked up eight points in their last four games with wins against Everton and Sheffield United, and draws against Burnley and Crystal Palace. I think they could obtain one point out of the next four fixtures.
Newcastle United.
Of course I will go into more detail for Newcastle. This month should have been a relatively easy month for the Mags, instead we are missing key players for the next month versus West Brom, Aston Villa, Brighton and likely Spurs in the beginning of April. Normally we should be expecting around six to seven points against these teams. but where and how will our goals come?
Just this year we have managed a total of ten goals in eleven games, six of those goals were scored by three of our players in the treatment room (Saint-Maximin-1, Almiron-3 and Wilson-2). The other four goal scorers have only accumulated just one goal each since the start of January (Lascelles, Willock, Shelvey and Carroll). Defensively doesn't look any better, with just one clean sheet this calendar year against Everton in the 2-0 victory at Goodison Park. It is now up to the rest of the team to step up and play for the club, Bruce will most likely rely on Fraser, Murphy and Willock for creativity, along side Carroll, Joelinton and Gayle to provide the goals, none of whom have been rather prolific this season.
Crystal Palace, Burnley Southampton and Brighton are all in the thick of it too, so for now our future isn't nailed on yet. We only have maybe three or four games without our key players, and we have arguably the easiest run of fixtures. Steve Bruce and Graeme Jones need to band together and come up with a plan to keep us safe. We have the players to create a resurgence of our own. Like the return of Saint-Maximin against Leeds in the second half, our performance picked up and we went on to defeat Everton in the next game. Once our key players come back, it could boost morale and see us safe. We just need to keep the faith. Howay The Lads.
By Sam West
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