Avoiding relegation from the Premier League is one issue, but in recent seasons, avoiding a second consecutive relegation has become a major consideration. With fifteen games remaining in this Premier League season, teams in the bottom half may feel compelled to worry.
At this crucial juncture of 2016/17, Burnley have emerged as a surprise package from the FL Championship. Despite being relegated with manager Sean Dyche in 2015, the Clarets board stayed faithful.
Joey Barton’s fighting spirit is a great asset to newly-promoted Burnley.
With scintillating home form, Burnley look well placed to avoid any relegation fight in May. For the other two promoted teams, Hull and Middlesbrough, a relegation fight is very much on the immediate agenda.
Even champions Leicester appear likely candidates, with nearly two-thirds of the season now gone.
Click through to the gallery to see if YOUR team would go down again in 2017/18 – and who would be the first player out of the door!
Watford: IMMEDIATE PROMOTION
With ample financial backing, Watford would have little to fear from relegation. First man out: Stefano Okaka Picture source: Taiwan News
Bournemouth: DOWN AGAIN!
Relegation from the PL would see key departures disrupt team spirit – the club’s greatest asset. First man out: Callum Wilson Picture source: Getty Images (Credit: Warren Little)
Boro: PLAY-OFF BERTH
Aitor Karanka may be axed if Boro go down, but he has laid a foundation for a brighter future. First man out: Gaston Ramirez Picture source: ProvenQuality. com
Leicester: MID TABLE
A hangover from the Champions League would impede any campaign for immediate promotion. First man out: Riyad Mahrez Picture source: Getty Images (Credit: Stu Forster)
Swansea: DOWN AGAIN!
The future appears bleak for the South Wales club, with mediocre talents coming through and no real leaders on the pitch. First man out: Gylfi Sigurdsson Picture source: Sportal NZ
Crystal Palace: PLAY-OFF BERTH
Alan Pardew made Palace psychologically weak. Under Allardyce this will change – but all too late? First man out: Andros Townsend Picture source: Twitter
Hull: IMMEDIATE PROMOTION
This is Hull we are talking about... First man out: Harry Maguire Picture source: The Everton Forum
Sunderland: MID TABLE
A mixture of old, inexperienced and rejected on the pitch. The club also appears to have little long term vision off it. First man out: Lamine Kone Picture source: EON Sports radio
Few could have predicted the recent falls of Wolves and Wigan Athletic. While rank mismanagement at Molineux caused Wolves to experience a second consecutive relegation, the fall of Wigan is a far more perplexing story.
Wigan’s 2012/13 season summarised in sign language.
Under Roberto Martinez, Wigan won the F.A Cup in 2013, and suffered relegation just days later. Wigan clung in vain to the hope that a Europa League appearance could see the club retain its key talents, but it was not to be. After failing to gain promotion in 2014, the Latics sunk further the following year.
Howe the hell do you sleep at night?
Tipping Bournemouth, in the unlikely event of their relegation, for a further demotion is contentious. There can be no denying that Eddie Howe’s club achieved a miracle in 2014/15, when his charges won the Football League Championship after being the hot tip for relegation.
Bournemouth’s team spirit saw the club survive comfortably in 2015/16
Other than Saints fans, nobody wants to see the Cherries go down – unless they are the sort of person who would send an orphan a dead puppy for Christmas. Unfortunately, the club remains commercially small, even in comparison to the bigger Championship and League One clubs.
Bournemouth have more than survived on pure team spirit until now. Consequently, their relegation would see key departures severely disrupt it.
Whilst we are focusing on players who deserve a lot better, check out our nine Premier League players who are too good for their clubs. Honestly, why do this bunch put up with it?
Alexis Sanchez
To say that Arsenal's title ambitions rest on the shoulders of Alexis Sanchez would be an understatement. The Chilean frontman is easily the Gunners' best player, and is clearly missing the company of Messi. Image Source: Twitter
Eden Hazard
Last season's aberration may have brought Hazard back down to earth, but the promiscuous Belgian just won't stop flirting with Spain's super clubs. Image Source: reddit
Christian Benteke
Although things didn't exactly work out at Anfield, fearsome frontman Benteke deserves more than Selhurst Park and Alan Pardew. Image Source: Twitter
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku had his chance at the big time when he joined Chelsea back in 2011, but at 23, the striker is now an entirely different proposition. Everton fans know his days in blue are numbered. Image Source: Twitter
Harry Kane
Londoner Kane has talked big about his loyalty to Spurs, but their dismal Champions League campaign is a timely reminder that he'll need to up sticks if he has his sights on Europe's biggest prize. Image Source: Twitter
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
At 35, Zlatan is no spring chicken, but he's still a class above his new United teammates, who should probably get used to the sight of the Swede's disapproving stare. Image Source: Twitter
Steven Defour
Burnley's capture of Defour was one of the more surprising summer transfers, and early signs suggest he's going to fit in like a bull in a china shop. Image Source: Twitter
Ryad Mahrez
Reigning PFA Player of the Year Mahrez has been a little off the boil this season, which is handy because it will help keep the vultures at bay - for a few months at least. Source: Twitter
Victor Valdes
Valdes won every trophy he could possibly win at Barca... twice over. Now he spends his weekends manning the sticks for Middlesbrough. It's just not right. Image Source: Twitter
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