Next 6 games - early relegation battle....

[Goddy]

So, just go with this rather than picking fault (as, for example, I've not included Newcastle or Sunderland who will probably do OK in their next 6 games) but here's who the (in my view) early relegation candidates have in the next 6 games. Personally I think we'll be in the relegation zone until the Leeds game but on 9 points after the next 6 games and above all the other teams in the list below. Anyhow, here you go with the fixtures and welcome your thoughts/comments on which teams might struggle....

Burnley

Liverpool (H)
Forest (H)
Man C (A)
Villa (A)
Leeds (H)
Wolves (A)

Wolves

Newcastle (A)
Leeds (H)
Spurs (A)
Brighton (H)
Sunderland (A)
Burnley (H)

Villa

Everton (A)
Sunderland (A)
Fulham (H)
Burnley (H)
Spurs (A)
Man C (H)

Dirty Leeds

Fulham (A)
Wolves (A)
Bournemouth (H)
Spurs (H)
Burnley (A)
West Ham (H)

Brentford

Chelsea (H)
Fulham (A)
Man U (H)
Man C (A)
West Ham (H)
Liverpool (H)

West Ham

Spurs (H)
Palace (H)
Everton (A)
Arsenal (A)
Brentford (H)
Leeds (A)

Fulham

Leeds (H)
Brentford (H)
Villa (A)
Bournemouth (A)
Arsenal (H)
Newcastle (A)

[ollieclarets8]

We've certainly been handed the toughest start to the season.

[Goddy]

We've certainly been handed the toughest start to the season.

....but that's coming to an end and if we're still in touch (with at least a point against Forest) I think we'll be competitive not just in the next 6 games but across the season.

[Hibsclaret]

Sunderland will be more than involved in the relegation battle.

[Spijed]

Sunderland will be more than involved in the relegation battle.

Indeed. If we can beat other teams easily, as we did in the end against Sunderland, staying up will be a doddle

[Goddy]

Oh, and just for fun, here's where I have the points for those teams I've listed above after the next 6 games.....

Burnley 9
DL 8
Villa 7
Fulham 7
WHU 6
Brentford 6
Wolves 3

Lottery numbers to follow......

[Dark Cloud]

The most frustrating thing to me about the point we threw away in the dying seconds at Old Trafford is that our next match is a tied on thumping which is very unfortunate, especially for morale.

[The Shire Claret]

I remember when I looked at the opening fixtures in the Kompany season thinking how could we be handed such touch fixtures in the first 10 games, it was ridiculous

This first 10 isn't as bad as that was but it's not far off

We are better equipped this time though !

UTC

[NottsClaret]

Not sure about our tough start. Sunderland are still one of the favourites for relegation. Man United are still crap. Spurs finished near the bottom last season and lost at home to Bournemouth.

There's loads of mid table sides better than those three. Palace, Bournemouth, Brighton, Fulham.. We need to forget 'big' names, we've played 3 average to poor Prem sides. It won't get much easier from here.

[ollieclarets8]

The most frustrating thing to me about the point we threw away in the dying seconds at Old Trafford is that our next match is a tied on thumping which is very unfortunate, especially for morale.

I don't see a thumping. We showed at Old Trafford in the second half we can give as good as we get and of course we're at home.

[Dark Cloud]

Liverpool are literally light years ahead of an extremely average Utd these days.

[ClaretLoup]

I don't see a thumping. We showed at Old Trafford in the second half we can give as good as we get and of course we're at home.

We got a bit lucky on Saturday in that Cunha and Mount were both subbed before the second half. Mount was possibly their best player to that point. The replacements Zirkzee and Mainoo weren't as good. Not to take anything away from Burnley as we upped our game to match them.

[ollieclarets8]

Liverpool are literally light years ahead of an extremely average Utd these days.

If we're talking literally then they won't play eachother for a while

[dibraidio]

I expect Liverpool and City will have way too much for us. If we're in with a chance of staying up we should be getting 4 points from the two home games against Forest and Leeds. A point away to Villa or Wolves would put us on 8 points from 9 games. That would be an excellent return considering that we'd have faced Spurs, Man Utd, Liverpool and Man City. It would put us on target for 34 points for the season despite the tough start.

SP got sacked by Bournemouth after their 9-0 defeat at home to Liverpool. After the loss Parker said he was "not surprised" and said the team was "ill-equipped at this level". Parker had criticised the recruitment which you'd have to feel he won't be doing after our game against Liverpool.

One thing that's been recurrent over the years is that the teams who go down are the teams who concede a lot of goals and generally have a very poor goal difference. Last season the 3 relegated teams conceded over 80 goals, the next nearest was Wolves on 69. They all had a goal difference of -46 or worse. The next worse was West Ham on -16. Wolves and West Ham are the only teams who've conceded more than we have with 8 each in the opening 3 games. Currently we're the 3rd worst on goals conceded averaging 2 a game would see us finish on 78 for the season which is pretty poor. There are five teams who've got a worse goal difference than us which is a positive.

The games against Forest, Villa, Leeds and Wolves should give us a really good idea of where we're really at.

[Holtyclaret]

Personally think we’ll be near the bottom early doors but will grow into it and get stronger as season progresses, bit like last season. Others will falter after ‘decent’ starts.

Will need patience and unwavering support UTC

[ElectroClaret]

It would put us on target for 34 points for the season...

I'd take 34 any day of the week.
Leicester got relegated in 18th position with 25 points last season, so 34 seems good.

[bobinho]

One things for sure…. No one will be relegated in the next six games.

In fact, I’ll also add that Villa won’t be in the mix come the end of the season.

[ollieclarets8]

I'd take 34 any day of the week.
Leicester got relegated in 18th position with 25 points last season, so 34 seems good.

They'd have needed 38-39 though to have stayed up.

[ElectroClaret]

They'd have needed 38-39 though to have stayed up.

Yes they would, however I think the points required to stay up this time will be lower, a few of the other teams might be dragged into the mix.

I'd take a chance on 34 if offered, though I'd rather have more, obv.

[Woodleyclaret]

Liverpool are playing well in attack but are vulnerable in defence to pace as they showed v Bournemouth. We have a chance but need an early goal and a tight defence.We could do without these farcical early international breaks.

[Commy]

We could do with Foster being given a break instead of having his goals disallowed. I don't think Liverpool have got into their stride yet and haven't actually looked as good as usual, up to now. Lets hope they don't click against us.