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| Forest, Burnley and Luton continue to fight against the drop but, two of them must join Sheffield United in the Championship next season. (Photo credit: GOAL) |
Whether you’re a fan of the big boys – popularly known as the traditional big six, or you’re a supporter of the struggling lots hovering around the drop zone, you must be honest enough to admit that the three teams that got promoted to the Premier League last season fell short of the standards.
Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United all gained
promotion to the topflight after the rigors of the Championship League but,
after game week 35, the trio are in the bottom three, almost destined to return
to where they truly belong.
You can feel for Luton Town, they give their all but, there’s
little you can do to salvage a season like this when you’re running on weak
engines; no disrespect to the Hatters but, you can’t see them punching tough
weights with the level of quality in their squad.
Rob Edwards has done a great job, they work hard enough to
trouble top sides like Liverpool and Arsenal at home even though, they lost to
the latter narrowly but, their away form is nothing to write home about.
Burnley failed to realize early that their playing style
will only lead them back to the Championship, the tiki-taka which won them
plaudit in the lower tier last season would always require a level of quality
to meet the Premier League standard but, from recruitments to fitness, Burnley
has been disappointing.
Vincent Kompany conquered England as a center half, he
played under one of the best in the game in Pep Guardiola and, except you have
the right resources to get the job done, you would be best served to consider
defensive stability first and foremost.
For Sheffield United, their fate has been sealed already
and, they’re already down. The comprehensive 5-1 loss at Newcastle completed
their round-trip and, despite still having three to play, the Blades can now be
influential to other fates, outside their own.
Chris Wilder will host relegation threatened Nottingham
Forest first on Saturday, a win could dig the horror grave for Nuno Espirito
Santo’s men and, Sheffield’s final game of the season is at Bramall Lane
against Tottenham Hotspur, the Blades could yet have a say in the top four
race.
Burnley can still survive but, they must do it the hard way.
With Everton confirmed to be safe after their back-to-back wins, the Clarets
sit two points off safety albeit, with tons of goal deficits to usurp. Newcastle
and Spurs await the Clarets before a game of their lives, vs Forest on the
final day.
Luton Town has an easier route but, they host Everton who
could be soft because they’re safe, then they travel to West Ham before hosting
Fulham on the final day. Forest should beat Sheffield, then they face Chelsea
before the big six-pointer against Burnley, it’s a crazy affair.