The race from the bottom

While the bulk of attention has been on the fight for the Premier League title and qualification for Europe next season, we can’t overlook what is shaping up to be the most exciting relegation battle in a long time, with every team in the bottom half still vulnerable and their respective boardrooms dreading the financial implications of playing in the Championship next season.

Normally the three teams that get promoted from the Championship are the bookies’ favourites to get relegated, as it’s very hard to adjust to the standards of playing week in and week out in the Premier League. As it happens, I rarely back the bookies’ pessimistic views but this season I felt they could be right as I didn’t think that Hull City, Cardiff City or Crystal Palace were sufficiently equipped to survive in the top flight.

However, while Hull manager Steve Bruce made some very shrewd signings in the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore and Curtis Davies during the summer window, it was the dual signing of Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long in January which will be the key to them staying up this season, as they have given Hull another dimension when they attack and have already come up with some crucial goals.