Wigan win leaves the Premier League strugglers sweating
It could have been as good as done and dusted in regards to Premier League relegation, yet Wigan’s win at West Brom on Saturday has left several clubs more than a little bit concerned about their Premiership status a status that for many had seemed all but assured only a few weeks ago.
Had the Latics not won they would have been left five points from safety with just a couple of games to go and even with a game in hand you can’t help but feel that would have been a task to far even for their remarkable powers of escape. That win however has however reignited things with Newcastle, Sunderland, Norwich, Southampton and even possibly Fulham now set for more than a few sleepless nights. In fact things could get even more twitchy for those clubs come the culmination of Wigan’s game in hand against Swansea on Tuesday night, for a another win here would see the one time relegation certainties moves above Newcastle, Norwich and possibly Sunderland depending on how they fair against Stoke on Monday.
It had appeared the last relegation slot was almost certainly going to be Aston Villa’s or Wigan’s, yet Villa have produced a stunning spell of form that has caught those clubs who thought they were safe out cold and now it seems that Wigan might just be ready to attempt another act of escapology.
Newcastle had looked safe following a decent spell a few months back however they have never been able to kick on from this and last weeks thumping by Liverpool showed an alarming level of ineptness. The key for them will be a trip to Loftus Road next weekend which many will be tipping them to win although their appalling away record makes this anything but a given, however with Arsenal on the last day a win will be imperative. Norwich have been beyond stumbling since the turn of the year and with just two wins since the turn of the year they look incredibly vulnerable, a vulnerability which is only enhanced by the fact they have simply don’t look like scoring goals. For them again the next game is crucial to survival given that West Brom at home presents as good a chance as any to pick up that all important win, it is a win they will undoubted need given the last day presents a trip to Manchester City.
Sunderland had looked safe and inform until a disastrous defeat at Villa Park last Monday rekindled their relegation worries, however they do have a chance to pull clear with a win at home to Stoke on Monday although without Stephane Sessegnon there is a real concern over where the goals will come from. Southampton and Fulham both might have considered themselves safe a week or two back yet taking their foot off the gas could yet cost them dearly, particularly Fulham who looked already on the beach against Reading.
Wigan have thrown the battle wide open and on Tuesday night that final relegation slot could become as up in the air as it has ever been.
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