The talk of relegation is not usually taken so seriously in February but the unpredictability of the Barclays Premier League this season has been miraculous, sparking up the most contested battle to beat the drop in the league's history.
From Aston Villa who currently sit in tenth spot down to the bottom it can be safely suggested that none of the teams are free from the drop. Only eight points separate the eleven clubs involved whilst the results in the league have been more than a little erratic.
The contenders for relegation:
Fulham
Current league position: 20th
Points: 19
Goal difference: -31
Rene Meulensteen has found it difficult to lift the Cottages out of trouble following Martin Jol's sacking in December. When Fulham lose the are well defeated as their goal difference suggests which could prove detrimental to their survival campaign on the final day of the season on May 11th .
The manager has made some positive January signings, bringing in £12 million striker Konstantinos Mitroglu from Olympiakos who has scored fourteen goals in twelve appearances for the Greek champions this term in the league. Lewis Holtby is also another welcomed addition. The Tottenham midfielder can provide a creative spark and will look to impress after a shallow period at White Hart Lane. To add to these arrivals the club has also acquired John Heitinga from Everton on a permanent basis, William Kvist from VfB Stuttgart on loan whilst bringing former midfielder Clint Dempsey on a short-term loan from Seattle Sounders to provide a little stimulus.
Fulham have been associated with the drop for a couple of season's now but tend to situate themselves well above those usually in trouble due to their experience. New striker Mitroglu will be expected to start scoring quickly and surpass the disappointment left by Dimitar Berbatov before his move to Monaco on deadline day. Having hit rock bottom in the standings and seeing the London club lose to League One strugglers Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, it would prove to be a miraculous turn-around should Meulensteen pull them out.
Cardiff City
Current league position: 19th
Points: 21
Goal difference: -22
The aftermath of the Vincent Tan and Malky Mackay's dramatics has seen the club perform to a poor standard as Ole Gunnar Solksjaer works upon finding his feet in the top flight.
The deadline day signings of Kenwyne Jones and Wilfried Zaha are intelligent arrivals. Jones has already scored on his debut and will offer a presence in the final third. Zaha has found his opportunities in Manchester United's first team limited but his loan spell at the Bluebirds could reignite his future. Solskjaer has blessed the winger's energy and ability to excite the fans. He could well be an influential figure in Cardiff's survival plans, whilst striker Craig Bellamy and his experience will help tremendously.
Whether Tan gives his young manager the chance to 'manage' the team then the Welsh outfit could have a chance. After fighting for so long for the right to play in the Premier League Cardiff will do everything they can to finish above the depths of oblivion.
West Ham United
Current league position: 18th
Points: 22
Goal difference: -9
The stories of injuries, fans dissatisfaction at the manager and a lack of effort from the players has for some, left West Ham deservedly fighting for their lives. The dramatics on and off the field have clearly affected the London side whilst Sam Allardyce has had his fair share of press criticism whilst huffing and puffing in his hooded tracksuit.
The club has made three interesting winter signings in Marco Borriello, Antonio Nocerino and Pablo Armero, the return of Kevin Nolan from suspension and Andy Carroll from injury has given the Hammers a boost. Carroll's recent act of decent will be a huge blow but there is a spring back in the step of this aside which could see a revival to beat the rest.
Crystal Palace
Current league position: 17th
Points: 23
Goal difference: -16
Who would have thought Tony Pulis would have changed his mind to revive the Eagles? Their improvement has given them a blessing to fight for survival. Although still considered the favourites for the fall, Pulis has the experience and mindset of a survivor which could yet surprise a few yet again this term.
Tom Ince is an interesting arrival on loan from Blackpool and will finally get his opportunity to grace the top division as he always dreamed during his days at Liverpool. Elsewhere, although some of Pulis signings may be questionable he has decided to bring in strength to cover those in his first team and a move for Celtic's Joe Ledley is am impressive purchase.
The manager has instilled belief into this Palace side and told them to take their chances. Maroune Chamakh seems like a different player whilst Jason Puncheon has proved to be a strong addition. The biggest relief for the Eagles is not having to play any of the big sides in the league now with matches against them now been and gone, which could prove to be an advantage.
West Bromwich Albion
Current league position: 16th
Points: 23
Goal difference: -6
The guilt of Steve Clarke's sacking may finally start to become a thing of the past as Pep Mel seems to be a coach who will implement his own style. The Baggies have featured in the media quite frequently of late with their long and exhausting wait for a replacement manager and the unacceptable gesture given by Nicolas Anelka.
Mel has a lot of work to do and a home draw at home to UEFA Champions League hopefuls Liverpool last weekend was a positive result. Although the midlands side have enjoyed life away from being associated with the wrong end of the table in recent years this is a club that has the know-how of how to escape.
West Brom will need strong characters in the dressing room but there are huge fears on the goal scoring front with a lack of options proving evidential. With Anelka suspended, Victor Anichebe always on the sidelines and Shane Long sold to Hull the pressure on young Saido Berahino could prove too much.
Norwich City
Current league position: 15th
Points: 24
Goal difference: -18
Following a list of talented arrivals in the summer Carrow Road was surrounded by optimism and hope for a climb up the table. Unfortunately the butter has not melted and the Canaries have proved to be flightless.
Head coach Chris Hughton has admitted the weight of expectation has proven to better him on occasions but his words of hope may turn into words of wisdom should they survive. Star signings including Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel have been firing blanks whilst there has been unrest amongst some of the fan's favourites due to their desire to leave Carrow Road. With only one January signing in Jonas Gutierrez on loan there are some concerned amongst the club with the lack of fluidity this season.
Despite such fruitful score-lines, Norwich have continued to fight for their position and may just have enough spirit and mental capacity to keep out of harm's way. Their home form could prove crucial as there has been slow improvement to appease the fans on their own turf with a few positives of late. Hughton is brave, tactile and intelligent despite the lack of belief from those who publish the game. His self-confidence will need to continue to help his team flourish through these challenging times.
Sunderland
Current league position: 14th
Points: 24
Goal difference: -11
Bottom of the league at Christmas and unpleasantly doomed. How fortunes can change and memories of defeat rapidly fade. Gus Poyet has been a revelation despite fears he could have followed a similar suit to the operatic character of former boss Paulo di Canio.
Poyet went on record to announce his belief in Adam Johnson and the winger has proven to be the catalyst the manager was looking for. Fabio Borini looks like a born centre forward and the metabolism of the defence has grown in solidarity.
A wonderful away victory in the Tyneside derby has demonstrated how much confidence the North East side now have. West Brom created history by becoming the first team to beat the relegation trap door after being bottom at Christmas and the Black Cats could well repeat this and deservedly so. Eleven wins in twenty three games since Poyet's arrival has been refreshing since di Canio, whilst a spot at the Capital One cup final at Wembley will be a treat.
Hull City
Current league position: 13th
Points: 24
Goal difference: -7
The Tigers have quite clearly been the best side from the three promoted teams this term, with some impressive results against the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur this season. However, a short stall of late has seen the KC outfit slip into the relegation hunt. Although many think Hull have enough to be safe, there is always one team who looks strong enough but falls from grace out of nowhere to begin their struggle.
Steve Bruce has bought where he needed to strengthen with Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic coming in to form a partnership to score goals. Tom Huddlestone has reignited his career after reduced opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur and is now being touted as a possibility for Roy Hodgson's side in Brazil 2014.
The controversy of a possible name change doesn't seem to be affecting team moral but Bruce will need to keep on top of this. Hull have been tough nut to crack and will deserve safety after some impressive outings.
Swansea City
League position: 12th
Points: 24
Goal difference: -6
The magic of 2012-13 under Michael Laudrup quickly became a thing of the past as this season for the Swans has been a little less deserving. The winners of the Capital One cup tend to struggle the following season due to European commitments and the Welsh side have been no exception.
We are use to seeing slick and swift football at the Liberty Stadium but a shortage in the side has seen a tough transition which saw Laudrup trying his best to cope with but on Tuesday this proved too much for the board to deal with. The club have been safe with ease in their three years in the top flight but have struggled this time around with a demise in results.
One win in their last ten games saw the Dane lose his job and there is also soon to be a change around in the backroom staff. Laudrup admitted difficulties in recruiting new players in this season's transfer windows but the regime this term has seemingly left the club looking in the wrong direction.
Although the timing of Laudrup’s sacking has been labeled as ‘bizarre’ it is Gary Monk's turn as caretaker to lead the helm as seniority look for a replacement manager. The Swans have the aptitude to create enough to survive and they should but the new manager will have to adapt quickly to keep the Swans head above water. Good luck Gary Monk!
Stoke City
League position: 11th
Points: 24
Goal difference: -14
The Potters have been sanctioned as major strugglers this term. One week they provide fans with positivity whilst the next hit the crash course and drop to the wrong end of the table.
Mark Hughes style of play has been labeled as boring and monotonous, following similar suit to Tony Pulis. The soaking-up of trust in Hughes tactics will only be accepted should the club survive and survive convincingly.
Stoke have been a mid-table side and will be expected to pillar growth but their system will have to be smart enough to take the leap of faith to stay in the top division.
Aston Villa
League position: 10th
Points: 27
Goal difference: -7
Villa have been much, much better this season as many would have hoped following a challenging twenty-four months. However, there has been a call for Lambert's head due to poor outings on occasion and an unattractive style of play.
Lambert is a big believer of Villa's youth policy and the average age of 24 has shown at times. Grant Holt's arrival will provide strength and experience up front due to Christian Benteke's demise in performance levels this season and Ryan Bertrand's arrival shows ambition to work hard and provide opportunity.
Although times of change are occurring at Villa Park the efficiency of growth will have to continue with the search for positive results. The club seem to be finding a better balances this season but there is still a lasting crave to buckle-up and fulfill the days of finishing in the top six again. How long this takes, if it happens, is only something time will tell but there is a specimen of hope at the midlands side.
Which three do think will be relegated in May?
It is obvious to say that the further up the table and away from the bottom three is where every team considered in the battle would like to be, but as this season has proved, one bad result can turn the tables.
The league will see teams swap positions and moods fluctuate as results will falter and rise again. Strength and depth tend to be factors to see sides pull away from danger but squad size has proven a worry for those at the wrong end of the table. Nevertheless, mental capacity, creativity and belief tend to provide consistency which some teams will find over the others.
Sunderland are the team in form, Swansea have the strongest side on paper whilst West Brom and Cardiff City have managers with little experience in the Premier League. With three months remaining there is still plenty of time for a number of twist and turns. Will more teams be dragged into the darkness or will some prevail and limit the numbers towards the end of the season.
