Dave Bassett told Sky Sports News that fading Blackpool are on the road to relegation.
Bassett looks at some of the sides staring into the void
Three will go down, but just who will drop out of the Premier League this season?
That's the question Dave Bassett tried to answer on
Sky Sports News as he analysed the tightest top-flight relegation battle in years.
As we enter the final few weeks of the season, the teams in the bottom half of the table are separated by just seven points and bottom side Wigan are only one win away from safety.
And Bassett, who was involved in relegation battles with Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City, admits he's never seen such a congested table so late in the season.
"The amount of teams is quite phenomenal really," he told
Sky Sports News HD.
"Sometimes it can be five or six, but you can go as high as Sunderland, for example. I think this year probably 40 points is going to be needed, whereas last year you'd have stayed up on 33.
"From that point of view it's tremendously exciting and it's nerve-wracking for all the teams involved.
"There's been a levelling out because some of the teams have improved in terms of the players they've been able to acquire.
"You've got the top five or six that are way beyond, in my opinion. Then I think the rest of the teams are much of a muchness and they're all capable of beating one another."
It was a bad weekend for Blackpool, Sunderland and Wolves who all suffered heavy defeats, while Birmingham and West Brom picked up much-needed wins in their quest to beat the drop.
Meanwhile, Wigan and Blackburn secured hard-fought 0-0 draws with Arsenal and Tottenham respectively to keep their hopes alive.
And Bassett reckons Ian Holloway's fading Blackpool are likely to be in trouble, along with Wigan, Wolves and Birmingham at the end of the season.
Here's his assessment of some of the teams involved:
Blackpool
Blackpool are on a slippery slope. In the New Year they had a good victory against Liverpool and it looked like they were going to push on from there, albeit they beat Spurs recently, but their form has been very poor. I think they've had it. To me, watching the game on Sunday [a 3-0 defeat at Fulham] and watching the manager, I think they're losing the will to win. There's not the belief and all of a sudden the players are having doubts. Are they good enough for the Premier League? Unfortunately there's probably only Charlie Adam, who is good enough for the Premier League. I do worry for Blackpool.
Sunderland
Darren Bent going obviously didn't help them because Steve Bruce rated him, but it had to be done. That's affected them and Sunderland are on a slippery slope. Steve Bruce will be thinking he's glad they've got 38 points. I think they've got enough with their home games and the teams they've got to play. Their performances recently have been abject and it looks like a few of their players are thinking about their holidays. Steve needs to take action, arrest that and point out to the players that they've got a job to finish off.
Blackburn
For Blackburn it was a great point for them, a fantastic point, albeit Arsenal didn't perform. I think that's made a difference for Blackburn and I think they've got enough in them - and the home games - to ensure they stay up. I don't see Blackburn being pulled into it. I think had they lost that particular game - and the way they'd lost it - might have made a difference. I think they've gained confidence and they've got games that in my opinion will see them safe.
Wigan
They really needed to beat Spurs. It was a good draw against Spurs, who are a good side but really Wigan needed to win that. They've only got a couple more home games, so I really see Wigan struggling. They don't score goals and they don't travel the greatest either. In my opinion I think Wigan and Blackpool are certainly going to be in the bottom two.
Birmingham / Wolves
I think that was a big defining win for Birmingham against Bolton. Had they lost that particular game I think they'd have been serious contenders. I think them and Wolves could be the other team that finds themselves in the third spot. They're both quite good at home. Away from home they're not good, either of these sides, although Birmingham's away record is slightly better than Wolves'. The big, pivotal game is going to be when Birmingham play Wolves away from home on May 1. The one that wins it is probably going to push the other one down, unless the likes of West Ham, Aston Villa and Blackburn don't perform.
