For Wolves, they have fired Mick McCarthy, who saved them last year, and brought in Terry Connor, who has got them trying to play more football on the ground. That is a noble but risky strategy with a team of limited technical quality. Wolves have shown the ability to pass it at times though during their Premier League spell, and on their day have the ability to trouble anyone. But getting that out of them could be Connor’s toughest task.
Bolton similarly, have struggled this year after years of mid table comfort. Owen Coyle’s side have missed key players such as Stuart Holden and new signings like David N’Gog have not paid off yet. They had a decent spell around the turn of the year but have had another poor run and are mired deep in trouble. Bolton need to turn things around and fast, but they do have favourable fixtures in the run in which will keep them alive with optimism. And they appear to be pulling in the same direction, which helps.
Blackburn though are possibly the team with most reason for optimism. Which is odd considering how much pressure they’ve been under, but credit to Steve Kean – he has his squad behind him. Key players like Yakubu and Morten Gamst Pederson have produced for him when he’s needed it and Blackburn have a fighting chance of avoiding relegation thanks to them.
QPR may on paper appear stronger than some of their rivals but they have been dire since Mark Hughes arrived. And does Hughes even have the stomach for the fight? He walked away from Fulham last year and seems still scarred by losing the Man City job. He clearly thinks he is a talented manager, but the evidence suggests otherwise. His poor start with QPR will worry him as they have the toughest run left.
And then there is Wigan. They have consistently managed to pull off miraculous late escapes from danger though some think this year their luck will run out. That may be but Roberto Martinez has done a superb job there and deserves credit. This is a team punching well above their weight, and they have spirit and character, as well as no little quality. Able to pull off big results when not expected to, don’t write Wigan off. With a last day clash against Wolves, you’d back them if both need three points to survive.
And then there are the dark horses; Aston Villa. Villa have struggled of late and have lost Darren Bent for the season, as well as seen Robbie Keane return to the USA. Gabby Agbonlahor is not a strikeforce, along with Emile Heskey, that will concern opposition defences. And Villa have been truly dire, one of the worst teams to watch in the league along with Stoke. Their fans are not behind Alex McCleish, who may have problems with the players too. Richard Dunne is out at the moment and they are up against it. If they don’t win one of their next two games at home to Fulham and Bolton they will suddenly be looking over their shoulders at a very deep drop into the Championship. With McLeish at the helm, that is always a worrying possibility for any team. Villa beware.
