As another Premier League season draws towards its conclusion, we are at the stage where an array of sides are fighting for their future. Whether that be a future in the Premiership, Europe or even as Champions, every point matters in the pressurised final run-in. Here, we will be focussing on the clubs who are scraping themselves towards safety in a quest to avoid the dreaded drop to the Championship. Let’s take a look at the contenders…
Southampton:
It has been a hectic season for the Saints, as they have slid down the table, and find themselves 4 points from safety with 7 games to go. The St. Mary’s dugout has been home to 3 different managers this season, each with unique styles of play. From Ralph Hassenhuttl’s “Gegenpressing” the players had become so used to over the past 4 years, it was always going to prove difficult to adjust to a new way of playing and management style, and the appointment of Luton Town boss, Nathan Jones was not the solution to that problem. In fact, the Welshman managed to only to enhance the issues at the club, as his style of play was vaguely similar to the Austrian’s, however required higher levels of fitness as he opted for a man-to-man system, a concept that usually requires at least a full pre-season as manager to get the players up to speed. Jones was never going to be a quick fix, and it proved a costly blunder in appointing him, as the south coast club fell to 7 defeats from 8 in the league. Such poor results coupled with his brazen interview style made him unpopular with Saints fans, and he was dismissed after just 12 games in charge.
The latest appointment of Ruben Selles will not have been cause for optimism amongst supporters, as the 39-year-old Spaniard has no previous first team management experience and has slumped to 5 defeats from 9 games. Selles has overseen a slight upturn in form, however 3 defeats on the spin with league leaders Arsenal up next is an ominous sight for anyone connected to the club.
Leicester City:
The surprise in the relegation battle, Leicester currently find themselves in 19th place under newly appointed Dean Smith, a sentence you never thought you’d hear just 2 years ago when they won their first FA Cup and were fighting for the Champions League under Brendan Rodgers. However, the Foxes are now fighting for their survival as their golden age appears to be drawing to a close. Following the sale of club captain Kasper Schmeichel and Centre Back Wesley Fofana, Leicester failed to bring in adequate replacements for the influential pair and have paid a costly price thus far.
Last season showed glimpses of a potential demise after some abject performances, but an eventual 8th placed finish and a Conference League Semi Final was a respectable showing for a side who had been eliminated out of their Europa Leagugroup stage and spent more time in the bottom half of the table than they did the top- a far cry from their previous 2 seasons, however not many saw a campaign as catastrophic as this coming. With 7 games to go, they are 2 points away from safety, yet they remain most people’s favourites to beat the drop, given the star quality on show in their attack and the favourable fixtures they have approaching. New gaffer Dean Smith is well versed on how to avoid relegation, as well, after his great escape at Aston Villa 3 years ago. There’s a long way to go, but City may well just be favourites to evade the dreaded line.
Nottingham Forest:
In their first season back in the top flight since 1999, Forest have had a rollercoaster ride to say the least. A 9-game winless run followed by a 5-game unbeaten run followed by a 10-game winless run, the Reds only consistency has been their inconsistency, as their league position has fluctuated throughout the season. The Garibaldi’s strongest form this season has come at home, as the Nottingham faithful have been very vocal in support of their side, undoubtedly giving them an extra edge over fellow strugglers Leicester and Southampton. This edge has proved vital, as Forest are unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 home games and, with 3 home games remaining, the East Midlands club will surely feel confident at the prospect of picking up points in those fixtures.
The chink in Forest’s armour this season, however, has been their away form. Their dismal record on the road does not make happy reading for supporters, who have seen their side pick up just 6 points on their travels, registering just one win and only scoring 5 goals. This is the worst away record in the league, whilst their home form would have them in 14th. Forest also struggle when going behind, as they have yet to come from a goal down to win, whilst only recovering 5 points from losing positions. This is something they will need to address if they hope to turn around their current slide towards the Championship.
A real positive from their first season back, though, has been Brennan Johnson, as the Welsh International has bagged 8 league goals in his first Premier League season. The academy graduate is a real fans’ favourite, and it is likely his form will be instrumental in the end of season run in.
Everton:
This season has been another disaster for the Toffees, as one of England’s biggest clubs continue their slide into obscurity. The downward trajectory is something the Evertonians have been experiencing for years, as they have watched their grand old club become a relic of English football, demonstrating no desire to reach the heights the club had been so used to in years gone by. Whilst investment in recent years has brought financial backing, mismanagement from the board has rendered this useless as they have wasted money on poor signings with large wages, landing the club in trouble with FFP in recent years.
As frustration grows on Merseyside, the Goodison Faithful have been immaculate as they have found a healthy balance between protesting against the incompetent board and giving loud, unwavering support for their struggling side- particularly under Sean Dyche. This factor is one advantage no club in the league has over Everton. Whilst the Old Lady can be hostile and volatile, it also has the ability to drag their teams through games, as showcased in last season’s survival campaign. This support must be on show if the Blues are to survive this season, as their away form continues to be dire.
On the pitch, Everton have struggled for many reasons, the main one being a lack of goals. At the time of writing, their highest goal scorer in the league has four goals. As Burnley demonstrated last season, a lack of goals will cost you and following the sale of Richarlison and the persistent injury problems of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they have failed to replace the goals that proved so valuable in staying up last season.
It is imperative for the Toffees to stay up, as their financial situation would be a disaster if they were to go down, their few star players would be forced to leave, but most importantly, it would be a real shame for football. A club of Everton’s size, with 9 league titles and the most years spent in the top flight, should not be in this position. A club with a fanbase as loyal and passionate as theirs, should not be in this position. Whilst no club has a divine right to be successful, it is a disgrace that such a failing board have been able to continue running this former footballing giant into the ground. Whatever happens this season, nothing will change until the board have left their position and the club can begin to function again. For the sake of all Evertonians, I sincerely hope this is the case.
Leeds United:
Lastly, we come to Leeds, Yorkshire’s biggest club. A one club city, United have a huge fanbase, one who have suffered through poor ownership over the past decades and through the stress of back-to-back relegation battles on their return to the top flight. Despite this, they continue to back their team loudly and proudly as they attempt to drag their side over the line.
There was cause for optimism around Elland Road following the early games under new appointment Javi Gracia as they picked up an impressive 10 points from 6th, rising from 19th to 13th, but back-to-back home demolitions against Crystal Palace and Liverpool have lumped the Whites right back in the thick of the scrap. There are plenty of reasons to feel confident for the Leeds faithful, however, as their young side have shown real determination and spirit this season, regaining 12 points from losing positions, the 6th most in the league. If they can approach the final 7 games with this sort of mentality, rather than the capitulations seen in the previous 2 fixtures, then this icon of English football will be confident they can preserve their Premier League Status for another season.