With THREE games remaining....

[narboroughblue]

4 points from the next two games will see us safe. Easier said than done but I'd have snapped your hand off at that 6 weeks ago.

[katieakita]

Saturday teatime and things should be clearer, Sunderland is the big one, more so for them unless they get a win at Everton at the weekend.

[midland_red]

I've moved from 50/50 to quote good. Reasoning is that I think we will get one more point than Newcastle from remaining games

[Foxymcoxy]

I've gone from quite good to 50/50 because everyone else has started winning games I wouldn't have expected them to. Lose to Southampton (very possible) and then if Sunderland win, who is then favourites for the game at their place? Suddenly a very different picture. No reason we can't turn over the saints though having said all that.

[Guest]

50-50 but less confident than before this weekends results. (60-40 tbh).

[Crinklyfox]

This is too close to call now.  Everything depends on the next three performances.

 

Southampton have the capability to beat us.  If we play like we did against Swansea I can't see that happening but if we put in a Burnley level performance we'll probably lose and that will add pressure to the next two games.

 

We are quite capable of getting a point at least at Sunderland but they will have a bit of momentum and a passionate crowd behind them.  I remember how poor Newcastle were at the start of the season then after they beat us they went on a great run, and Sunderland have just scraped an unlikely result against Southampton.

 

I really don't want to see this go to the last day.  If it does QPR will already be down and have no pressure on them at all.  If we play with caution instead of our recent attacking style I can see them getting something out of the game.

 

IMO we don't deserve to go down and if we fail now it will be a huge blow.  As NP says, we need to finish the job.  So 50:50 for me right now.

[nnfox]

It's too close.  I can conceivably see all 5 teams in the scrap finishing on 37 points and it comes down to goal difference.  We'd be OK in that scenario, but it is literally that close.  50/50 for me.

[roblcfc84]

This is extremely helpful.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32582358

[Thracian]

Many are assuming our game against Sunderland will be decisive but three factors - our goal difference, Newcastle's situation and the wretched run of form that's emphasised it still further and the fact that we are attacking and scoring goals in the way we should have done all season offer great encouragment.

 

I don't see that Pardew's ex-team will suddenly regalvanise itself - there seems to be so much built in bitterness both on and off the field. our goal difference may be a big plus come the final countdown and I don't see particular reasons why either our confidence or our finally-found goals threat should suddenly disappear.

 

With the coming of Huth and the ability of both Albrighton and Schlupp to deliver fast and sometimes dangerous balls into the box we have latterly turned a major weakness - our failure to score from free-kicks and crosses in general - into something of a strength and one that is no longer easy to combat.

 

We also seem to have the speed, spirit and confidence necessary to win more points.

 

Everyone is going to be fighting but, for me, Newcastle are beginning to look ever-more vulnerable.

Imagine a situation where a draw between Sunderland and Leicester would keep both up and send Newcastle down.

You never know!  

[TimG]

I assume everyone who voted 50/50 is putting bets on us to be relegated seeing as we're at 13/2

[NewburyFox]

I'd guess 38 points, so another win and draw would see us safe, particularly with our goal difference. I can't see Sunderland, Newcastle, Villa and Hull all beating that total, or equalling it and having a better GD.

[Renart]

This is extremely helpful.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32582358

 

Thank you. It was.

[whoareyaaa]

I voted quite good, I think we need one more win and at least a result at Sunderland. think we will get another 5 points at most.

 

if Hull get drubbed tonight I will be even more confident, we still have work to do it's not over just yet.

[Mark_from_USA]

Before this weekend I said 37 now I think it will be 38.

Villa look strong so it's Sunderland,Hull,Newcastle and us.

We just need to keep playing attacking football and hold our

nerve, at least one of those teams will not get 38pts.

 

Out of the 5 teams still in it for the last spot, none look stronger than us.

 

16 goals in our last 7 games.  Clean sheets (except Chelsea).  Playing a consistent formation that is yielding results every match.  Several players raining their game for the final stretch.  Unbelievable energy and work rate.

 

Villa are reliant on Benteke.  If he goes cold its squeaky bum time.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I voted 50/50 but I think it's pretty slim, to be honest. At least we're going down with a bang.

[Floridafox]

Many are assuming our game against Sunderland will be decisive but three factors - our goal difference, Newcastle's situation and the wretched run of form that's emphasised it still further and the fact that we are attacking and scoring goals in the way we should have done all season offer great encouragment.

 

I don't see that Pardew's ex-team will suddenly regalvanise itself - there seems to be so much built in bitterness both on and off the field. our goal difference may be a big plus come the final countdown and I don't see particular reasons why either our confidence or our finally-found goals threat should suddenly disappear.

 

With the coming of Huth and the ability of both Albrighton and Schlupp to deliver fast and sometimes dangerous balls into the box we have latterly turned a major weakness - our failure to score from free-kicks and crosses in general - into something of a strength and one that is no longer easy to combat.

 

We also seem to have the speed, spirit and confidence necessary to win more points.

 

Everyone is going to be fighting but, for me, Newcastle are beginning to look ever-more vulnerable.

Imagine a situation where a draw between Sunderland and Leicester would keep both up and send Newcastle down.

You never know!  

Huth has been a massive difference. What a relief he was fit for Newcastle. Our 3 centre backs must put the fear of God in most attacks

[Marmite]

I think we will lose against Southampton, Draw at Sunderland and beat QPR 

[hamptonfox]

You can get 13/2 with Bet365 and Paddy Power that LEICESTER get relegated, I think thats based on our run of form, and not  the true odds of relegation which are probably closer to 2/1.

 

Any more Hull or Sunderland wins and we could easily be odds on favourites again to take the last relegation spot.

[LukeyZade]

Mundella boy?

You should have gone Hamilton bud..

both were shit hamo was a joke

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Yeh, it's worrying that we could still go down given our great run. Just shows that the Chelsea game wasn't a 'free game' by any stretch. Forest and Derby fans will love it if we end up relegated given our recent surge of hope. We HAVE to beat Sunderland and also not lose to Southampton

Spot on the money.

 

That win of Sunderland, was a bit shattering, and only goes to show, that we mustn't count our chickens. Our result against them will have a massive say on the outcome of our season, and their's.

[merlin1969]

Arsenal winning 2-0 Hull (35 mins) Leicester have moved up 1 place 

[katieakita]

Well now dead level with Hull, would rather have our run in rather than ours, they really need to win on Saturday against Burnley and it is shit or bust for them, when we play QPR every chance they are down.

[Webbo]

It's gone up to 49-51% in our favour for me.

[Finnaldo]

Well now it's in our hands, with a team below us with equal games played. Win against Southampton and you'd think we'd be safe, as long as we can get some kind of result against Sunderland just to make sure

[lcfcfoz]

8/1 with paddy power to go down