Premier League relegation battle - Club by club analysis

Cardiff City

Currently it’s hard to judge Cardiff City. If Ole Gunnar Solkjaer is given the backing that Vincent Tan has promised, it’s hard to see them being in much trouble come May. But, if Tan is constantly putting the pressure on him to deliver instant success as he did with Mackay. It’s difficult to see Cardiff City being able to progress under the iron-fist of the owner.

Over the course of the season, there has been flashes that Cardiff can compete with the very best such as their results against both Manchester clubs. However, it has been games like the 2-2 draw with Sunderland that have suggested that Cardiff will pay the price for some shoddy defending at times.

February is the month they need to get it right. They play Norwich, Swansea, Aston Villa and Hull, all games could be must-win on the day. In late January, they travel to both Manchester clubs in the space of two weeks. So winning may be the only alternative if they want to close the gap on the teams in the top half of the league.

Fulham’s René Meulensteen has a tough task on his hands!

Fulham

Fulham seem like an accident waiting to happen. Against Hull City they completely capitulated as they lost 6-0, however against West Ham they managed to grind out a 2-1 win. That was perhaps because West Ham are one of the only sides more broken than Fulham.

The January transfer market will be key to their survival, if Berbatov leaves like papers have suggested Fulham don’t have a prayer. Despite all the negatives comments surronding the Bulgarian, he has delivered a fair few times this season for the London club.

Fulham probably have the kindest end to the season. In their final three games they face Hull, Stoke and Crystal Palace. All games that they will go into believing they can win. If they take some of the spirit shown in 2007-08, they will comfortably stay up. Whether they still have that battling spirit is questionable.

Norwich City

Norwich for all their star signings have been one of the most uninspiring teams in the Premier League. Injuries to Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper earlier in the season has dragged them into a relegation battle that they could easily lose.

The Christmas period provided an excellent chance for them to get points on to the board, but they failed to pick up a single win. Two draws and a defeat to Fulham, Sunderland and Crystal Palace may seem like an absolute failure come May if they get relegated.

If they haven’t picked up around 40 points by mid April it is easy to see Norwich as goners in the relegation battle if they are in the bottom three. In their final four games of the season they play Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. All games were it is conceivable to see them picking up a total of zero points.