It's all in Black & White or is it 'B' & 'W'

Excellent timing Crete :) before the weekend I sat down and predicted, how silly of course, the results of all the sides from 10th down to 20th and I think you are spot on bringing attention to the 'B' teams. Remember that I worked out my stats before the weekend, and whilst some results since have already poured some cold water onto my assertions, such as Albion losing at Birmingham, I will stand by my finish positions- our predictions for Wolves are pretty similar, although I have us to finish on 42 points which I think will be enough - this comprised of home wins against Blackburn, Albion, Fulham, and yes, Spurs (so we are technically down to a 40 point finish as it stands, based on my genius methodology!) with draws against Newcastle and Everton, desfeats at Villa, Stoke, Blues and Sunderland. Now, considering I have provided license to lose four games right there, I don't consider it unreasonable to expect us to beat the sides mentioned. Our home record is looking stronger, and I would happily sacrifice those defeats however unpleasant they may prove, if we can win those home games, as you said yourself. 4 wins and 4 defeats from our remaining games would provide 12 more points as opposed to 8, say, drawing them all (I'm leaving an error margin not bringing the 9th game in the equation). Ultimately, if we can achieve 42 points I actually have us to survive with as comfortable a margin as last season, however absurd it sounds to mention 'comfortable' and Wolves in the same sentence. I say so however, because whilst it is up to us to put those points on the board, I think there are two, more likely three sides who are going to struggle to put many more points on the board. I think you are right about Wigan- looking at the games they have left it is an awful run in, and whilst the season has been full of surprises I will actually be surprised if they win more than one more game this season. I actually don't have them down to pick up anything more than a few draws. Blackpool have collapsed like a stack of cards and there are no signs of any 'turning the corner'- Holloway has already achieved the unthinkable at Blackpool and I suspect he will be managing in the top flight next season whether Blackpool are relegated or not, yet whilst his attack attack attack approach startled teams through the first half of the season, teams are now picking them off at will and a continued approach, tactically, is not admirable to me, it smacks of naivety. If your car is rolling backwards down a hill you dont lean back, turn the radio up and enjoy the ride, you sit up take notice and at the very least apply a little pressure to the brakes. Where as Mick took stock last season, saw things were not working and changed the former, ultimately saving us from the relegation that was on the cards, I am not sure in the slightest IH will change things up and even if he did does he have the players at his disposal to do so? or the strength in depth? It's sa shame but I can't see them recovering and I have them to go down with..... Albion. I don't say it out of spite, I would love to think of two derby games against Albion next season but those who are not good enough are judged over the course of 38 games and whilst they may turn around and suggest we are the ones for the drop, could still happen of course, I think old Roy was brought in just a few weeks too late. The win against Blues was a huge lift for them, and now they can point to an unbeaten run but I still think they are too cavalier and will get undone. I actually have them to go down on goal difference, just below... Blackburn. They have now won one of their last seven and you can't see things improving much there either but I think they will have done enough and the few extra points they have now and what they can get should just about scrape them through. I agree that the Villa game is huge and will have a huge impact on both of our seasons. For Villa they can put significant daylight between us and themselves, an away win could whilst not assuring a climb from the bottom three will be sure to drag them ever closer to us, who we would trail by just a point (and their goal difference is only 2 better than ours.) It's a tall order but I have faith we are showing some of the best form we have all season- we have been scoring for fun recently and let's face it, not many sides are going to score three as good as Tottenham did last week, so with standards maintained, I think we have more than enough to start by springing a win at Villa Park and taking it from there. Nice work Crete. Til then.

I just fell off my chair. What have you done with Banksy you fiend? Unless he is returned in the first instance we shall notify the authorities- actually they would probably give you a free kick. Hmm. They are all beatable on paper and I just hope Mick is standing before them every morning at the start of training telling them exactly the same thing. Our position proves somewhat absurd based on our performances since the turn of the year in particular, but points win prizes, or at least safety in our case and I am enjoying our collective optimism. Now, can someone remind me how much we spent when we won promotion, and the amount we brought back in by selling or otherwise unloading players, because with optimism the word of the day I have been tinkering with my season long dismay (spending most of it in the bottom three following a finish of 15th and an 18 million investment) and have taken a long angle still that brings one to ponder; resources upon our arrival + money spent - players sold + one survival (and probably we are beginning to believe, + two 'survivals') = .............. and already I must admit I am casting thoughts, a dangerous game to play, to next season, and day dreaming a wonderful future for our club again. If we are to enter a third Premiership season we are two seasons ahead of the sides that are promoted and having cast aside another five players like we did last summer, and replacing them with the likes of Jamie O'Hara- well the mind boggles does it not? I do believe that despite the amount of despair we have suffered this season, if we can survive this one, I can't really see us suffering the same levels of discomfort next season. I apologize for being too lazy to read through fifty articles to find out who said it, please step forward, but someone not so long ago was talking about continuity, and by the time next season rolls around Mick will be marking near or arounds a five year anniversary. Let's keep this optimism goin Mister Grimsdaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaale.

Right you two,no more ****** footing around!!Team names,results and points totals please.Lets see who gets the closest,NYC forget your forecast from last week do another and get it down here in black and white!.UTW.

Bloody hell. Here we go- I'll start with Wolves, and considering there's only one gam e between now and next weekend, I will publish the full breakdown later this week; us- Villa 1 pt Newcastle 1 pt Everton 1 pt Stoke 0 pt Fulham 3 pts Blues 0 pts Albion 3 pts Sunderland 0 pts Blackburn 3 pts - which would leave us on 41 points. I will add that I don't expect Wigan, Blackpool, Blackburn or West Brom to reach 40 points.

lovesW: it seems as though you are party to a PL management decision to make 41 points the official relegation cut-off score. If you have friends in such high places, could you please get Halsey's decisions on Sunday reversed?

Oh well- at least the optimism has flipped off the end of the scale. W- if we finish the season having not lost over 12 games I'll auction my Manders shirt for charity. And to underline the love for that shirt, it does get treated to the occasional trip to the pub with me during trips to England. It has its own chair; next to the radiator with a dart in it. Have Sky been throwing around the stats, as in the highest points tally still relegated? Because as I believe I mentioned above, I don't think it is going to take as many as 42. I shoot for 41 and safety. If Wigan do lose to Blues their next two are Spurs and Chelsea by which point I think they will have been cut adrift, mentally if not mathemtically. Agreed on the others though Crete; although West Ham can be added to that four but I think they are proving unpredictable, as in winning here losing there, which will be enough to keep them up. I think my approach, equating for 4 defeats is conservative yet all good and dandy if we win 4 and draw 1 from the others. It's going to be a boring weekend I know that much.

Well bring the wallet Banksy because there's a slim boon Pickins chance I might be over for the last game. If so, I'll liine uo the shots. Optimism springs and today on just 3 sips off Maxwell House. I am beginning to think it has nothing to do with the cofee at all. Without yet reading it I see one of Express and Spoon contributors is looking forward to a weekend break from 'the nerves'- as if the summer isn't bad enough! Work chaos aside I have a pretty open week so I shall scratching the days of the calender ahead of the Villa game. The open weekend does of course open up some writing time. And the weekend my friends is with us.

Well, speaking for myself, I processed a blur of tactical data in the nano-seconds it took me to consider the outcome of each match. Unfortunately, my keyboard skills are less advanced and it would take me years to write the thought process down! You could start the ... er ... ball rolling though, lovesW.