Securing promotion to the Premier League is as glamourous as it gets for most English football clubs, but once there, many are soon caught up in the dreaded relegation battle. Mixing it up with some of the best managers in the league, it can often be a daunting task if you’re managing one of the weaker teams in the division.
With half of the season still to play, there is every chance of the clubs facing the drops from defying the Premier League relegation odds and securing safety.
Burnley
It came as a shock to everyone that the team that secured Europa League football is struggling to fight their way out of the relegation zone. Breaking their fortress has been a walk in the park this season. They’re only 6 goals shy of the number of goals they conceded last season; a clear reflection of the downward spiral of their defence.
Their most impressive match so far has been in their game against Bournemouth, which saw them emerge as 4-0 winners at Turf Moor. But since then they have faltered and dropped points against the teams they are competing against in the battle to avoid relegation.
A leaky defence and an impotent attack have resulted in Burnley languishing in the drop zone. But miracles can and do happen in the Premier League and with so many other teams struggling around them, if they can rediscover the form from last season, then Sean Dyche’s men will end the season still in the Premier League.
Fulham
Fulham’s defence has been their massive downfall this season. They’ve conceded a whopping 42 goals at the moment and if they keep going like this, they will be the first side to be relegated.
Although, people still fancy them to get over their dismal run solely because of the attacking flair in the team. Their ball movement isn’t as bad as the other sides in the relegation zone and the likes of Mitrovic, Schürrle and Sessegnon in the attack are the reason why fans still believe in them.
Claudio Ranieri arrived with high hopes at the club but has so far done little to help them. They have a decent run of fixtures now and if they sort their defensive woes, they could leverage some points in their upcoming games.
Cardiff
It’s no surprise to include Cardiff in the list despite being 2 points above the danger zone. They’ve registered 4 wins but those wins don’t tell the complete story. Their side still doesn’t look ready to take on the heat of the Premier League and that explains why odds aren’t on their side.
They lack quality and attacking power that could pull them further away from the relegation zone. Although, we can’t take away the wins they’ve had — especially the one againstWolves.
A few more wins would restore their confidence and they might be able to elude relegation at the end — although, as it stand, the chances of that happening are slim.
Huddersfield
Goals win you games and the Terriers have been bereft of that this season. Having scored only 10 goals so far this season, it’s easy to understand their position in the table. They clearlyhave the weakest attack in the league and that’s where their troubles boil down to. If there’s a silver lining for them, it’s the fact that they’ve conceded the least number of goals among the bottom 5 teams. Their reliance on Aaron Mooywon’t be good enough to keep their offence ticking and if they desire to survive in the long run, more players need to step up. Their next three fixtures would be ideal for them to find life in their attack and find their lost confidence.
As they say, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. There is still a long way to go in the league and these teams have ample time to turn the tables. Survival of the fittest for sure.