Danny Murphy thinks Nottingham Forest will survive in the Premier League.
The Reds are currently in 16th place in the table, two points above the relegation zone with 11 games left to play this season. The bottom nine teams are separated by just four points, with Crystal Palace in 12th on 27 points and Southampton bottom on 23 points.
It means the battle to avoid relegation is wide open, with Forest’s next two matches against teams also fighting to stay in the top-flight in Wolves and Leeds United.
READ MORE: Wolves warned against Nottingham Forest 'antics' after City Ground controversy
READ MORE: Next Tottenham manager odds: Steve Cooper among contenders to replace Antonio Conte
Murphy admits Forest’s fate is “in the balance”, but he does think they will stay up, pointing to Evangelos Marinakis’ decision to stick with manager Steve Cooper during a tough spell earlier in the season as a pivotal moment in their campaign.
In a column for The Mail, Murphy said: “Six of the nine teams in the relegation battle have changed managers.
“It has worked so far for Everton and Sean Dyche and Leeds with Javi Gracia, but ultimately I think the clubs who have stuck with their bosses will be rewarded.
“West Ham and Leicester will be fine based on their managers — David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers — and the quality in their squads.
“Nottingham Forest are the other club who have been loyal to Steve Cooper. It was the right thing to do because without him, they wouldn’t be in the Premier League anyway.
“I also think they will survive but it’s in the balance. They face Wolves and Leeds after the international break — we’ll know more after that.”
Do you agree with Murphy? Tell us in the comments section...
READ NEXT:
- Nottingham Forest suffer new injury setback as Sam Surridge point made
- Former Nottingham Forest star suffers suspected 'small heart attack'
- Nottingham Forest Premier League fate in balance as remaining games given difficulty rating
- Sam Surridge point made after latest Nottingham Forest injury blow
- The latest Nottingham Forest news in one place
