Everyone’s Gonna Get Relegated… and That Rules

If you had told me 48 hours ago that Coventry were going to beat Newcastle United 4-1 I would’ve placed a bet instantly. I’ve not been in a physical betting shop for years so I’d question why I didn’t just use an app but we’re off track now. The point is, no one saw that coming, even more so because had Newcastle won, they would’ve moved into fourth place. That is how nuts the Premier League is this year.

It also could be important. Very much so.

Look at the title race itself. That may be spoilt due to the constant chat about Manchester City and how on earth we sort that. With that in mind, whoever drops to the Championship could become the true rollercoaster story and I tell you… that has the potential to be great, even more so now. Coventry, who looked destined for instant relegation after the first few weeks have all of a sudden turned it around.

Have to say Jaissle is a total fraud.

Sick of him seeing him in his too tight clothing, thinking he's so smart in interviews.

I've literally seen nothing since he's become manager that I've thought is new or exciting.

nufc

— NUFC Finch (@FinchyNUFC1) September 14, 2026

As ever, it is just one game. On many occasions we’ve seen a so-called ‘weaker’ team go on a run before they capitulate and run out of steam. Luton Town was a good example of this not so long ago. We all thought they could do it and good grief, they tried. They just couldn’t get it over the line. I'm sure many a Coventry fan would be over the moon if they showed a similar spirit, because sometimes it is about the performances on the pitch and not the results. If you leave a game feeling like your team gave it their all, well, fair enough. At least we tried.

The other side to this story, however, is what it means for everyone else. Let’s say Coventry do continue to find these results, or Hull continue their incredible start to the season. There’s an argument to be had that even with balanced form they stay above 18th which is huge. Everyone thought the opposite before match day one.

That’s not just fascinating due to our expectations, however. You have to mention the following: Tottenham. Bournemouth. Fulham. Aston Villa. Sunderland. Nottingham Forest. All, as I write these words, are teetering around the bottom of the league, and if Hull and Coventry decide they don’t wanna go down… well what happens then?

I think most of us always believe that Spurs will be fine because they are in the ‘big club’ conversation. They’ve not shown that league-wise over the last few years, but it’s this odd mentality we have as football fans. “Surely not Tottenham?”. Go tell that to a 2016 Leicester City supporter. They’ve never been the size of Spurs but the sheer fall from grace has been shocking and sad to see. It’s a reminder that whatever the narrative is meant to be, it can always be thrown out the window.

I only focus on Tottneham too because they currently have not won a game and have only scored 3 goals. That means, due to Coventry’s game last night, The Sky Blues have outdone that tally in 90 minutes. Not stats you wanna read. And again. I am sitting here writing this thinking “Ah, they’ll still stay up” but at the expense of who?

All of this can be applied to Aston Villa as well. They’re another I assume will find their feet because Unai Emery is a fantastic manager and they have great players, but you have to finish above teams in order to stay up. I know that sounds dumb but if all of a sudden the so-called ‘obvious choices’ are no longer obvious, someone is gonna pay for having a poor start to the season.

It’s why the relegation battle could be the true fight of the year, and why everyone down there right now should be terrified. You need some momentum, and sure, it’s only fair to say that we’re 6 games in which is nothing because look. If Tottenham win every game they have left they’d get 96 points. We'd all be losing our minds but there’s also more chance of me growing my hair back and I am super bald.

So that’s not going to happen but I do feel like it’s all up for grabs now. For some teams it’s just not going to plan, and that makes it way more fun for the rest of us; I guess that’s how it should be. Even as an Arsenal fan I understand why people want the league to come down to the wire, and it’s the same at the other end, even more so if your ‘shock’ teams can’t find their feet.

That doesn’t mean Coventry, Fulham and Hull won’t be gone – and according to the odds at the start of the season they were the favourites – but we also wrote off Frank Lampard’s men after Brighton put five past them. They’ve now gone and put four past Newcastle which I do believe is called bringing balance to the force. And when has Star Wars ever been wrong? Never. Set your phasers to stun. Wrong franchise…