The sack race and relegation thread

[Howard_lfc]

IMO the first manager sacked this season will be Steve Bruce (because he's got a big fat 'ead). I think the team will struggle and the new board will fire his ass. I just can't see Brum winning any games away from St Andrews. I also think Sammy Lee has a good chance of earning the sack as well as I expect Bolton to flop spectacularly.

Prediction: Steve Bruce.

The relegation places are already being lined up for Birmingham, Sunderland and Derby. I'd have included Fulham - but I think Sanchez will do ok for them and keep them out of the danger zone. Southgate has got a tough job at Boro but they've got a great chairman and Reading my struggle in the second season in the top flight but Coppell should still be safe.

Prediction: Brum, Sunderland and Derby

[ronan]

wigan,boro,brum/derby

[Joey Jones]

I'd be tempted to go for Chris Hutchings, but on the other hand the Wigan Chairman doesn't seem like the type to sack his manager without giving him a proper chance.

The teams which I think will struggle this season are: Boro, Wigan, S'land, B'ham, Derby and possibly Reading or Fulham.

I'll go for Wigan, S'land and B'ham for the drop.

[reddragon]

wigan and boro are deffo for the drop - wouldn't be surprised if reading don't join them

[dww]

Bit early for predictions but I think Sanchez has done okay at getting players to reinforce what was a threadbare squad. I think they will survive along with Sunderland.

I would go with Brum, Wigan and Derby for the drop at this stage.

Either Hutchings or Bruce will be first to go.

Not sure about Lee at Bolton. I think he has taken over a creaking Bolton squad. He has kept his signings in line with the previous Bolton methodology which has seen some players others have written off come good. I think that even if big Sam had stayed they would have struggled this season but if they keep Anelka I can see Lee allowing them a little more freedom and maybe getting a top 10 finish.

[Zambian_Red]

Manager to be sacked - Sammy Lee, i think Bolton is going to struggle and might end up in a relegation battle.

Three teams to be relegated - Derby/Everton/Bolton

[Craig_H]

wigan and boro are deffo for the drop - wouldn't be surprised if reading don't join them

You'd get good odds on all 3 promoted sides staying up.

[Shaggy]

I think there'll be more **** teams in the Prem than ever next season.

For me Derby will be this season's Watford. Their squad looks easily the weakest and I think they'll be adrift at the foot of the table.

Sammy Lee has made some extremely dodgy signings at Bolton and I expect them to struggle.

Hutchings and Wigan will struggle, I'm sure of it, as will Birmingham.

As documented in another thread, I think Keane has bought poorly and Sunderland are in for another slog.

Reading will miss Sidwell and they could 'do an Ipswich' and I also expect Southgate to struggle with Boro.

[cobain]

So everyone think Everton will do fine this season?

[Gaz]

I've got a feeling that Southgate will be the first manager to go this season, Middlesborough haven't really brought anyone into an already poor squad and he showed his ineptitude as a manager last season. He should never have been allowed to manage them in the first place considering he hadn't completed the appropriate UEFA coaching exams.

If Wigan don't get the fight back they had in their first season in the Premiership then they'll struggle like they did last season and i fear for my hometown team but there are weaker teams in the league than them.

I think the three teams that have just come up will go straight back down again

[Zambian_Red]

So everyone think Everton will do fine this season?

Not me mate, every season, i have utmost faith that they will be relagated and hopefully one day that will become reality.

I would just love it when they get relegated and see what those bitters have to say. I am hoping they struggle this season and fight it out in the bottom half of the table.

[WILF]

For me Derby are the weakest and defo for the drop.
Brum and Sunderland will be battling with Wigan,Fulham and Everton(please) for the other 2 relegation spots.

Fat'ead for the sack 1st??
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy

[fowlen]

As well as the usual suspects mentioned above, I think there will be a big surprise in the relegation battle.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Neverton, Villa and Newcastle are all going to struggle too.

I think that Derby are certain to go down with two from the Brum, Wigan, Sunderland, fulham, toffees, villa, boro and newcastle.

I also think that Moyes will be the first managerial casualty, closely followed by Southgate

[Kenneth]

Laurie Sanchez will be first to be sacked imo. ****.

[Harv]

Its a tough one.

Derby have to go down for sure, Fulham look ****e on paper and Wigan look equally as ****e.

im going to stick my neck out and say no managers will be sacked.