Ghost of Seasons Past scares Spurs; Saints ride out a storm; and a 'delusional manager' undoes QPR
QPR
Adam Boxer, QPR.vitalfootball.co.uk
Happy with season so far? A disaster. Our brash summer transfer policy combined with a delusional manager made for bleak viewing, culminating in our present perilous position. Suffice to say that things have not gone according to plan, but that's what happens when you try running from a sitting start - you fall flat on your face.
Stars/flops Ryan Nelsen and Júlio César have done a good job, albeit Ryan has disappeared to Canada. Clint Hill has done well with his limited abilities while Loïc Rémy has instilled some hope that we can make a late burst. Unfortunately, it may be to little avail.
Predicted finish: 19th Surviving from this position doesn't seem likely, but I don't think we'll be bottom.
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham.
Going down: Sunderland, QPR and Reading.
THE RUN-IN 1 April Fulham A 7 April Wigan H 13 April Everton A 20 April Stoke H 28 April Reading A 4 May Arsenal H 12 May Newcastle H 19 May Liverpool A
Reading
Ian Maynard, Observer reader
I was happy with the season, until the end of February. Up to that point it looked like a second season in the top flight was on the cards – since then it has become gradually less and less certain. It would take a dramatic run of wins in the run-in to avoid the drop now.
Stars/flops Adam le Fondre and Adrian Mariappa, who signed in the summer from Watford, have both done well for us – but it hasn't been a good season for Pavel Pogrebnyak.
Predicted finish: 18th. It's hard to see us surviving: I think we are on course to finish third from bottom.
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Going down: Wigan, QPR and us.
THE RUN-IN 30 March Arsenal A 6 April Southampton H 13 April Liverpool H 20 April Norwich A 28 April QPR H 4 May Fulham A 12 May Manchester City H 19 May West Ham A
Southampton
Ben Gammon, GoMarchingIn.co.uk
As a newly promoted team our priority was to stay up and, despite it being close at the bottom, we're in a great position to do that. The decision to replace Nigel Adkins threatened to rock the boat but the players weathered that storm well and have turned in some very impressive performances since then, most notably beating Manchester City and Liverpool at St Mary's.
Stars/flops Considering some said he couldn't compete at this level, Rickie Lambert has excelled. Morgan Schneiderlin is fast becoming the complete midfielder. But Luke Shaw's recent injury highlighted the lack of quality in depth at left-back.
Predicted finish: 15th
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Going down: Wigan, QPR and Reading.
THE RUN-IN 30 March Chelsea H 6 April Reading A 13 April West Ham H 20 April Swansea A 27 April West Brom H 4 May Tottenham A 12 May Sunderland A 19 May Stoke H
Stoke City
Richard Murphy, author, Stoke City on This Day
Purely from the point of view that we're staying in the Premier League, it's been a good season. But the football recently has been truly awful, and we look set to be the lowest scoring team in England's top five divisions for the second successive year. Since the turn of the year we've won only one and we can't buy a goal. There is unrest among the fans and the summer could be a big turning point for the club.
Stars/flops Steven N'Zonzi stands out along with Shawcross, Huth (right), Begovic and the rarely-sighted Jerome. Charlie Adam and Jon Walters have struggled, played out of position.
Predicted finish: 14th
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs.
Going down: QPR, Reading and Sunderland.
THE RUN-IN
30 March Everton A 6 April Aston Villa H 14 April Manchester United H 20 April QPR A 27 April Norwich H 4 May Sunderland A 12 May Tottenham H 19 May Southampton A
Sunderland
Pete Sixsmith, SalutSunderland.com
This has all the makings of a season of abject failure, with relegation a probability rather than a possibility. It should have been about consolidation: instead it's an undignified scramble to retain our place at the bun fight. Martin O'Neill has been criticised for his tactics and his apparent reluctance to change things, our defence has creaked and groaned like a redundant man o' war, our midfield shows little creativity and, Steven Fletcher apart, we have no scorers. Other than that, everything is fine.
Stars/flops Fletcher has been a relative bright spot while Adam Johnson has been the biggest disappointment since Rod Belfitt.
Predicted finish: 17th. Please.
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs.
Going down: QPR, Reading and Wigan. Anyone but us.
THE RUN-IN
30 March Manchester United H 7 April Chelsea A 14 April Newcastle A 20 April Everton H 29 April Aston Villa A 4 May Stoke H 12 May Southampton H 19 May Tottenham A
Swansea City
Kevin Elphick, Swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk
Once again we have proved our doubters wrong. So many people talked about second-season syndrome and a big struggle for us to cope with the loss of Brendan Rodgers. However, Laudrup has done an even better job. We look set to finish in a higher position and have won our first major trophy in our 101-year history.
Stars/flops Michu and Chico Flores have been superb. Michu has given us a much-needed goal threat while Chico was a must to replace Steven Caulker in defence. Teenager Ben Davies has also been very impressive. Nathan Dyer has been a letdown, though.
Predicted finish: 9th
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Spurs and Chelsea.
Going down: Southampton, QPR and Reading.
THE RUN-IN
30 March Tottenham H 6 April Norwich A 20 April Southampton H 27 April Chelsea A 4 May Manchester City H 7 May Wigan A 12 May Manchester United A 19 May Fulham H
Tottenham Hotspur
Dave Mason, Observer reader
After the wins against West Ham and Arsenal it seemed that we had finally banished the February-to-April collapses of the previous two seasons and were no longer "doing a Spurs" and finding new ways to lose. Now, after three defeats in a week, the Ghost of Seasons Past comes up through the trapdoor. It's the self-infliction that worries me: we made two of Liverpool's three goals for them.
Stars/flops Lloris and Vertonghen have been strong; Lennon and Dembélé have shone at times, and Bale has amazed everyone. But Adebayor has scored three all season and Defoe last scored on New Year's Day.
Predicted finish: Inevitably, 5th
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Going down: Reading, QPR and Sunderland.
THE RUN-IN
30 March Swansea A 7 April Everton H 14 April Chelsea A 21 April Manchester City H 27 April Wigan A 4 May Southampton H 12 May Stoke A 19 May Sunderland H
West Bromwich Albion
Richard Jefferson, WBAunofficial.org.uk
Most pre-season pundits had us down for a struggle but we haven't been below 10th in the table all season. It's a fantastic achievement given our budget and our manager's novice status.
Stars/flops Lukaku started slowly but is showing what a great prospect he is now. He will be sadly missed when he goes back to Chelsea. Gareth McAuley, James Morrison and the best free signing of the season anywhere, Claudio Yacob, have also been key to the success so far. The biggest letdown, of course, has been Peter Odemwingie. I pity whichever club ends up with him next.
Predicted finish: 8th
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Going down: Sunderland, Reading and QPR.
THE RUN-IN
30 March West Ham A 6 April Arsenal H 20 April Newcastle H 27 April Southampton A 4 May Wigan H 12 May Norwich A 19 May Manchester United H TBA Manchester City A
West Ham United
Pete May, hammersintheheart.blogspot.co.uk
We had a good first half of the season, but then came down with the Christmas decorations. Our away form has been the big worry, and Allardyce seems trapped in a one striker at all times cul-de-sac.
Stars/flops Diamé, Collins, Jaaskelainen and Reid have impressed. Mentions also for Jarvis, Noble and, when fit, Carroll, though he hasn't scored enough. A few have disappointed: Nolan's been hampered by injury, Vaz Tê hasn't really done it in the Premier League, Maïga hasn't been given a chance, and Matt Taylor has had a poor season. But pre-match luncheon service in Ken's Cafe has been excellent.
Predicted finish: 15th
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham.
Going down: Wigan, QPR and Reading.
THE RUN-IN
30 March West Brom H 7 April Liverpool A 13 April Southampton A 17 April Manchester United H 20 April Wigan H 27 April Manchester City A 4 May Newcastle H 12 May Everton A 19 May Reading H
Wigan Athletic
David Whalley, Observer reader
It's been mixed. We have played very well in most games but have been hit hard with bad luck and injuries, which means we haven't got the points that our play has deserved. The luck may have just turned for us after the Newcastle game and, with very winnable fixtures coming up as well as an FA Cup semi-final, it could be a memorable end to the season.
Stars/flops Shaun Maloney has been exceptional. Maynor Figueroa and Arouna Koné have done well and Jordi Gómez is getting more influential. But Gary Caldwell and Ali al-Habsi have been below their usual standard.
Predicted finish: 15th
Champions League qualifiers: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs.
Going down: Sunderland, Reading and QPR.
THE RUN-IN
30 March Norwich H 7 April QPR A 17 April Manchester City A 20 April West Ham A 27 April Tottenham H 4 May West Brom A 7 May Swansea H 12 May Arsenal A 19 May Aston Villa H
Part one: Arsenal to Norwich City
Read more... Premier League run-in: fans' verdict part 2: QPR to Wigan Athletic
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