Premiership Survival Strategy

Warning. Blokey, stato-like footie post follows:

I like this strategy. It appeals to my sense of planning which means that you can reinterpret earlier achievements in the light of later developments. So if West Brom lose at home to Wigan (as we did) in an early match it looks like a disaster since they were recently promoted and would be expected to finish in the bottom three or four. But their form and results now show that they are a top ten side and the score doesn't look so bad - one point dropped not three.

To avoid relegation
Take 4 points off the other 9 teams who will eventually finish in the bottom half of the table by winning at home and drawing away.
Take 6 points off the next 6 teams by drawing at home.
TOTAL = 42

To finish comfortably mid table.
Take 4 points off the 10 teams who will eventually finish in the bottom half of the table by winning at home and drawing away.
Take 3 points off the next 6 teams by winning at home.
TOTAL = 58

To get into Europe or possibly scrape fourth Champions League spot
Take 6 points off the clubs who will be relegated
Take 4 points off the next 7 teams by winning at home and drawing away
Take 3 points off the next 6 teams
Scrape 3 points from somewhere against the other top 4 teams
TOTAL = 67

To win the League
Take 6 points off the bottom 10 teams
Take 4 points off the next 6 teams by winning at home and drawing away
Take 6 points off other 3 top 4 teams by drawing all the games
TOTAL = 90

Currently West Brom are 6 points behind schedule and heading for 36 points; 2 more than last season's escape act gave us but unlikely to be enough this time round.