Premiership Relegation Preview: Manchester City

When Wayen Rooney was sold to Manchester United last Summer, it was expected Everton would go on to struggle in the Premiership without their star player. Quite the opposite happened and the Blue side of Merseyside went onto finish fourth. Unfortunately for Manchester City, I cannot quite see the same result following the departure of Shaun Wright Phillips (SWP). In fact it would not be a major shock if the Citizens spent most of the season near the lower echelons of the Premiership.<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O />A look at last season's table does show an impressive position of 8th. Nevertheless, take away Nicola Anelka's goals from the first half of the season, plus the contributions of SWP and what you are left with is a fairly average side. Yes, Stuart Pearce came in as manager and did well in the final games of the season. That success was though arguably as much to do with the player's relief that Kevin Keegan was gone. As popular as "Physco" may be, the former England left back remains an unproven top flight coach.It is expected Pearce will be able to use some of Abramovich's roubles to reinforce his squad, but can City really expect to attract the quality of player of SWP. In addition how much can they really spend with a rumoured £62 million debt.Even if they do sign a major player, I would still be more than happy to have invested significantly for City to be relegated. Yes, an argument could be made for Fulham, Charlton and Portsmouth - but their odds don't set the pulse racing like the best price 20/1 on offer for Manchester City to finish in the bottom three.Only Totesport are going 20/1 at present, so the advice would be to jump in quick before they fall into line with the other firms.