After this midweek round of matches in England’s top flight just two points separate bottom side West Ham, humiliated by an emphatic 5-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle, and fourteenth placed Fulham who propelled themselves out of the relegation zone with a comfortable victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Even the other sides which make up the bottom half must be looking nervously over their shoulders, not least Liverpool after winning only twice since the start of December. Manager Roy Hodgson’s future at Anfield is hanging by a thread and the American owners may wield the axe. That said he is not the only Premier League boss with concerns about the sack.
Hammers coach Avram Grant must be worried how chairmen Sullivan and Gold might react to such a heavy defeat as all thoughts that they might have turned a corner thanks to previous upturn in form evaporated. Despite their slide into the bottom three Aston Villa have assured Gerard Houllier that he will be given time to turn things around, but how long will he get?
Wigan Athletic are struggling to score goals. Talented wide man Charles N’Zogbia wants away from the DW Stadium, his cap for France earlier in the season and allegedly interest from Marseille having gone to his head. Without him Hugo Rodallega is relying on young Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley to create chances for him with Victor Moses out injured. Argentine forward Mauro Boselli has flopped and there is always the feeling with compatriot Franco di Santo that there is more come.
Roberto di Matteo needs some luck on the injury front if Albion’s fortunes are to be turned around. The 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage on Tuesday was the club’s fifth success league defeat. Their time in the top four after an excellent start to the season is now a distant memory for Baggies fans. Four full backs played in defence at Fulham and it didn’t half show. The way West Brom handled the home side’s set pieces was abysmal, evidenced by the two second half goals they conceded coming from corners.
Both Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland got free headers with marking from the visitors distinct by its absence. Mark Hughes’s side will not always have it so easy and their persistence with a long ball tactic whilst Bobby Zamora remains on the treatment table is worrying. They will always carry an aerial threat from set plays regardless, but their attack really lacks a fulcrum without the England international. Andy Johnson has never been one to play up front by himself, whilst Diomansy Kamara showed a willingness to run in behind he never made a clear opening for himself.
Turning our attention back to the West Midlands, Wolves were always going to be a side who struggled this season. They stayed up during the last campaign but the fabled second season syndrome is something which should concern Mick McCarthy. Goalscoring is again the issue. Kevin Doyle has one league goal and neither Steven Fletcher nor Sylvain Ebanks-Blake has hit five yet.
It is hard to believe this is virtually the same Villa team that played with such confidence under Martin O’Neill. They showed real character in 3-3 draw with Chelsea at the weekend, but followed it up with an abject home display against Sunderland that saw Emile Heskey sent off. They are also lacking a goal threat and it’s fair to say they have been relying too much on goals from midfield.
A change of shape with Lee Bowyer suspended seemed to do Birmingham some good, after all playing a 4-4-2 resulted in their first away victory of the season. Much the same as Villa the forwards need to chip in with contributions, but Alex McLeish’s men should be buoyed by the win over Blackpool.
If goal difference is a factor in who stays up, and at this stage it looks likely to play a decisive part, then that is in the favour of both Birmingham and Fulham. The other Midlands clubs will have to try and improve theirs. Albion will hopefully be able to welcome some of their missing players back and Houllier will no doubt be given financial backing in the January transfer window in light of the Villa board giving him time.
Wigan, West Ham and Wolves are clubs that should fear the most. Who can Roberto Martinez attract? With so many other clubs in the northwest, with high flying Bolton and billionaire owners at Blackburn particularly close by what would make a player move to the DW Stadium over the Reebok or Ewood Park?
The Hammers have fallen into the same trap they always do. Offer big wages to players high on potential who come to the capital but then never show a return on the investment and the club ends up in a relegation scrap. Scott Parker stands almost alone in the Upton Park dressing room as someone who plays with the appropriate level of passion and commitment.
Wolves have much the same problem as Wigan; if a player is going to sign for a West Midlands outfit why not Albion, Birmingham or Villa? Attracting quality with so much competition on your doorstep, let alone the rest of the league, is a genuine problem.
Whoever does go down at the minute it’s too close to call and there will no doubt be a number of twists and turns along the way before it’s all said and done. This weekend provides a break from all these worries as the magic of the FA Cup lights up football grounds the length and breadth England. JC Football will be providing full coverage!
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