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Derby goes down after poor season
After the weekend action in the English Premier League, Derby County got relegated from the premiership with 6 games to go after drawing with fellow relegation threatened Fulham.
Derby hasn't done well at all this season and they have so far managed just one win and its no surprise to me that they are going down this early. The East Midlands' team's goal difference currently stands at -51 and lets see if it can go to -60.
Surprisingly some teams tend to play better after relegation and that could be the case for Derby but Paul Jewell will now start preparing for the Championship knowing that if he retains most of his players he will have a good squad for the Championship.
Bolton who currently complete the teams lying in the relegation places had a good chance to get at least get a point against Arsenal but the last minute own-goal with the match at 2-all means that they stay on 26 points. After going two nil up by half time and against ten men, I think they should have defended that margin to get the crucial three points.
Statistically any of the teams with less than 40 points at the moment can go down but I think realistically the teams that have to get worried are Birmingham, Wigan, Reading and Sunderland and I think Newcastle and Middlesbrough will have no problems at all.
At the top end, Liverpool's derby win over Everton was crucial and they have now opened a five point gap over their Merseyside neighbours and I think they should be able to get the last champions league place.
Everton do not have Tim Cahill for the rest of the season and I think they will settle for a UEFA Cup place in a season where they have been very impressive so far.
Next weekend's match between Arsenal and Liverpool should be very interesting and Liverpool with their five point gap can go into that match without fearing for their fourth place. I still see that match as a draw though.
Derby were awful TBH. I think they will go down as one of the worst teams to get promoted. But I think the signs were there at the beginning of the season when they did not sign any good players to make them competitive at the top level. Birmingham and Sunderland managed to get some decent players in but Derby didn't look that interested. There is no point getting promoted if you are not going to take measures to make sure you stay in the top flight. Wish them all the best in the championship. Hope they stay there for a while too.
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Jason, in terms of coming back I think Derby could be back soon because Paul Jewell is a good manager in getting teams promoted and he has a good record with both Barnsely and Wigan. But maybe when they come back next time they will take a different approach and hopefully stay for more than a season.
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