Premier League Relegation Market: Dalek going down?

Premier League / Mike Norman / 24 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Mike Norman gives a rundown of the teams he tips to struggle this season and says Roy Hodgson will be urging his players to "exterminate" their relegation fears.

During the last two seasons it has been just as easy to pick the team that will finish 'Rock Bottom' of the Premiership as it has to select the winner. Both Watford (2006/07) and Derby County (last season) were strong favourites to end the season in 20th position - and both duly obliged.

The market this season has a slightly different look to it with no outstanding favourite to finish bottom of the pile. Instead it has two teams, Hull City at [2.66] and Stoke City at [2.76], being perceived as having an equal chance of finishing the season in last position - but football is a funny old game, and I've highlighted four teams at bigger prices that could well struggle this term.

Blackburn Rovers ([60.0] to finish Rock Bottom):

For a few reasons I see the appointment of Paul Ince being about as successful as the Darwins starting their own canoeing business. First instincts tell me that he doesn't look comfortable in the role, players are not queuing up to join the club, the fans aren't convinced, and some players want to leave. Experienced goalkeeper Brad Friedel looks certain to join Aston Villa whilst top midfielder David Bentley refuses to commit his future to the club. There are no signs of a breakthrough in the transfer market for Ince and his only acquisition to date is the baffling one of Robbie Fowler.

I can see Blackburn struggling from the outset, starting with a first day defeat at Everton and being relegation candidates throughout the season - they are currently available at [11.0] to be relegated.

Bolton Wanderers ([32.0]):

Ivan Campo and Stelios have finally departed the Reebok Stadium (probably to meet up with Jay Jay for a game of crown green bowls), and those departures could well signal the end of an era for the Trotters. After huge success under Sam Allardyce, Bolton found themselves in a relegation scrap for much of last season and only avoided dropping into the Championship by a mere two points. Although Gary Megson has spent a club record £11m on Swedish striker Johan Elmander, a long hard season awaits for the Lancashire club ([4.7] to be relegated).

Fulham ([24.0]):

I fancy Fulham to struggle for much the same reason as I do Blackburn - I'm not convinced by the man in charge. Roy Hodgson would be more suited to a role in Dr Who than he would being a Premiership manager, such is his mundane tone and his ageing looks, and he did nothing to convince me last season that he has what it takes to keep the Cottagers away from a relegation scrap.

They have been very active in the transfer market but not one signing captures the eye. Bobby Zamora at £6.3m (joint fee with John Paintsil) is laughable, Andranik Teymourian from Bolton is uninspiring, Zoltan Gera is a Championship player at best, and Mark Schwarzer is over the hill. On top of all that they've lost one of their main strikers from recent seasons in Brian McBride. I feel sorry for betting.betfair editor Jamie 'The Pacman' Pacheco who has a season ticket at Craven cottage - [4.6] to be relegated looks good doesn't it Jamie?

West Brom ([9.6]):

Of the three teams that won promotion, West Brom are perhaps better equipped to avoid finishing rock bottom, but I don't see why they should be the price they are when Hull and Stoke are so short. The Baggies have retained quite a few of the players who represented them in the Premiership in 2005/06 and in Tony Mowbray they have a very promising manager. Luke Moore and Scott Carson may well turn out to be decent signings and they must ensure West Brom get a good start - if they don't, they could well be relegation candidates. ([2.26] to be relegated).

I have a hunch that neither Hull nor Stoke will finish bottom and that one of the above teams will occupy that slot - if you think otherwise then please let me know.

Stoke's only signing to date is Dave Kitson from Reading, and he will be the man responsible to get the goals that ensure safety for Tony Pulis' men. Under Phil Brown, Hull have been far more active this summer, bringing the experienced George Boateng to the club as well as Tony Warner, Peter Halmosi, Bernard Mendy and Craig Fagan - all will be beneficial to a squad that could well surprise this season, meaning who will finish 'Rock Bottom' is not quite the formality it has been in previous seasons.