Mathematically Bolton are relegated - probably... (all the stats here)

Bolton Wanderers have slumped to yet another Premiership defeat today. Newcastle came to the Reebok and ran out 2-0 winners. The Wanderers have now lost 14 out of 18 matches this season and, if you add on the back end of last season, the figure climbs to having lost 19 of their last 23 league matches. But the big question is whether Bolton Wanderers can still realistically expect to survive the drop. 
There are 20 games to go in the current season with a maximum of 60 points available. In reality Bolton Wanderers look doomed but survival is not impossible. However, in order to stay in the top flight the trotters would have to go on a mega run which would have to see them double their average points return for the whole of the rest of the season, and with the current squad such a turn around seems highly unlikely, if not impossible. If the current trend continues for the remainder of Bolton's season then the Wanderers would finish bottom of the league on just 24 points - a massive 16 points from the magical 40.

I suppose it does depend on how you look at the following figures. You could see a glimmer of hope or you might only see doom and gloom on the horizon. It depends how you feel at the time and possibly on how tinted your rosey specs are too...

I'll leave you ta make up your own minds but if we lose against Wolves on New Year's I, for one, will be counting us out. And with Everton away followed by Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal in January things are looking bleak.

All the stats...

This season, played 18, lost 14

This seasons average - 0.6 points per game...

Last seasons average at this stage - 1.5 points per game

Last seasons average overall - 1.2 points per game

Points this season so far - 12

Matches left - 20

Available points left (if we win every match) - 60

Matches left against top teams (Man U, Man C, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal) - 6

Number of games won against top teams in last 2 seasons - 1

Number of games against other teams - 14 

Number of points available from other teams - 42

Total number of points if we win all remaining games (excluding top 6) - 54

Approx finish  position if we wein all remaining games - 8th (based on average from last 3 seasons)

Total number of points if we win all remaining home games (and lose all away) - 39

Finishing position if we win all remaining home games - 17th (based on last 3 seasons)

Finishing points if we replicate our best season avearge from the last 3 seasons for the rest of this season - (ie 1.5 points per game) 42 points

Finishing points if we make a 50% improvement for remaining matches - 30 points

Finishing points if we continue current form - 24 points
Finishing position if current form continues - 20th