Addicks on the brink Two wins are now required from two games plus a reliance on West Ham losing at Old Trafford. Of course fate and the Premier League combined to see Tevez score twice and make a 3rd as the Hammers brushed aside Sammy Lee's Bolton today, proving what I said yesterday that West Ham's team, albeit inspired by Tevez, is frankly better than ours.

The killer blow to our slim chances was Fulham's win at home to Liverpool, their first in 11 games, and whilst Addicks talked of the Scousers resting players in their final game, they didn't take into consideration that Benitez would do it today at the Cottage. In fact Liverpool's side, with nine changes, was unrecognisable from the one that got the better of Chelsea in midweek.

Dave Whelen, who is leading the legal charge, sat and watched as Wigan succumbed to Middlesbrough's 2nd away win of the season, the other one was at The Valley, and I think it will be us two that will join Watford, who dented Reading's UEFA Cup hopes at the Madejski.

I personally have resigned myself to the Championship, not for the first time, and thinking forward it may not be a bad idea that West Ham stay up. Wigan and Watford will be much weaker rivals to promotion than West Ham and the group look less impactful than last years relegated three of West Brom, Birmingham and Sunderland as proved by the promotion race in this season's fizzy pops. And with basket case Leeds gone and Forest having to go into the lottery of the play-off's, our chances of instant promotion look more encouraging.

Of course its not over 'til its over and there will be plenty of time to debate which players will join the 16,500 loyal fans who have signed up for another season plus, I believe the real concern that Alan Pardew won't be the man leading us next season.  ¶ 13:32