Premiership plus - bounce-back-ability?

It was the most exciting relegation battle in the top flight for 20+ years with 4 teams all fighting to stay in the Premiership. During Sunday afternoon all four teams at one time over the 90 minutes were safe "if the scores continue as they are." Famous commentators words and for Palace, Norwich and Southampton famous last words.

The Saints were leading Utd, Norwich just had to draw at 'nothing to play for' Fulham and Palace were 8 minutes away from salvation.

Football is a cruel world, nowhere else than at the Valley where 23,000 Addicks mocked the stripey Nigels. The home fans at the Cottage were altogether nicer to the 7,000 travelling canaries despite their humiliating 6-0 thrashing. Sir Alex Ferguson had some nice words to say about his friend Harry Redknapp but relegation is hard.

Not only does the calendar no longer have trips to Old Trafford, Highbury and St James, they are replaced with trips to Gresty Road, Kenilworth Road and the run-down and rather naughty Ninian Park.

There are many clubs who, following relegation, talk about coming straight back up. But in reality only 3 teams have done this in the last 7 seasons - Leicester (2nd), Charlton and Man City (both champions). The other relegated teams have not been so lucky.

Sunderland have been a success story in that when they went down they were in a real mess but thanks to good management they have bounced back at the 2nd attempt. West Brom also went back at the 2nd attempt.

Dowie, Worthington and Redknapp are all good managers who can bring success, but that's if they stay, can work within very different budgets and are supported by a sensible chairman. Lowe? Jordan? I don't think so.

But otherwise it's a tale of woe. Leicester, Wolves and Leeds all had very poor seasons in their first Championship campaigns. West Ham, Derby, Barnsley, Sheffield Utd and specifically Ipswich have all had heartache in the play-off's.

Coventy (30+ years in the top flight before they were relegated. nb Southampton), Watford and QPR's memories of the Premiership are very distant.

For Bradford, Wimbledon, sorry MK Franchise, Sheff Wed, Barnsley, Oldham, Swindon and poor ex European Cup winners Nottm Forest the glory days are long forgotten.