Why is a boring 1-1 tie between two bottom-dwelling EPL clubs meaningful? It is meaningful because it helps America’s team, otherwise known as Fulham, in its suddenly rejuvenated race to avoid relegation.
Michael Owen’s equalizer helped Newcastle salvage a draw against Birmingham on Monday, but more importantly for Fulham, it kept Birmingham from securing three points.
Here is how the Bottom Seven stacks up in the EPL now:
- Newcastle………….29
- Reading …………..28
- Birmingham ………27
- Sunderland ……….27
- Bolton ……………25
- Fulham …………..23
- Derby …………….10
Bolton has a game in hand, but if you saw the Wanderers’ remaining schedule you know that won’t really matter.
Fulham’s next stop on its quest to avoid relegation is, yes, you guessed it, at Newcastle. The way Kevin Keegan’s team is sleepwalking at this point the Cottagers can certainly take at least a point, if not all three, when the teams meet on Saturday.
For those of you who missed it, here is my detailed report on Fulham’s quest to avoid relegation, which includes the schedules of Fulham and the three teams ahead of them.
Oh, and on top of that, I just tread that Newcastle won’t have Shay Given for the rest of the year, either. That makes two clubs that Fulham might need to pass without their first-choice keepers. Might not make a huge impact, but every bit helps, especially with Newcastle next on the schedule.
I’ve got to agree with aristotle. As much as I want Fulham to stay up, they have to start winning away, and it needs to start with Newcastle.
With Jaaskelainen out for the rest of the season, Kevin Nolan and Gary Cahill possibly injured, and that tough remaining schedule, it’s a pretty safe bet that the Cottagers will pass Bolton. I’m still not completely convinced that they can muster enough points to pass up Sunderland, Birmingham or Newcastle. I have faith in the Americans, though, so I’m still hopeful.
Great scenario for Fulham. They look to have one of the better schedule of remaining fixtures. I dont see them going down.
http://futbolinks.blogspot.com
Wigan and Sunderland should go down, they really lack talent, but Derby will be joined by atleast one undeserving team.
I’d really like to see Fulham prove that they can win a game away from home, soon! Until then I will keep believing that they are going to be relegated. How long has it been, a season and a half?
Hey, remember when Newcastle had Onyewu and it seemed like they were pretty good until they got him, then they seemed to get worse? I guess he really wasn’t the cause after all!
I did that BBC predictor and my top two teams are ManU then Chelsea and relegation bound are Sunderland, Birmingham, and Derby.
Dempsey needs to be starting over Danny Murphy.
For Newcastle, I’d like to see Keller, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes, Stalteri, Davies, Dempsey, Bullard, Andreasen, McBride, Johnson.
Boca, Murphy, Volz, Healy, Niemi.
COYW! 32 pts makes is sound possible.
I want to know what Roy Hodgson has in mind for Clint. The recent interviews suggest that he likes the speed-air EJ/McBride pairing up front. Fulham’s goal leader on the bench during their best game? I will disappointed if it continues. With McBride&Bullard and back, will it be hard for Clint to find playing time?
Dang it. should have posted that on on the Q&A.
ps: this is why relegation is such a sweet proposition. these teams and fans care more about staying up than ManUre, Chelski, and Gooner care about winning the Prem.
i cant wait to someday hope to heck that KC goes down.i can wait a decade or 2. i just wanna see it. heh.
Come on Fulham!!!!
I put this on the earlier post, but it is pretty cool if you take the time to fill it out. I think 32 points will do it this year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/predictor/default.stm
Newcastle actually looked pretty good for most of the second half. With the big Aussie back, their front three will give Fulham trouble.
That is kena, let’s go FULHAM!!!!