NO-ONE should start counting chickens yet about Stoke City's survival chances in the Premier League - but there is reason for us to feel quietly confident now.

Not so the fans of West Brom, who are surely doomed.

And those of Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Hull City should be worried.

After their early season heroics, Hull have the small matter of a home match against title-chasing Liverpool next. And then they go to Villa Park before facing the revitalised Potters.

Mathematically the most they can get is 49 points, but surely they can expect one or none from their next two matches. Even if they dropped no more points - and that seems highly unlikely - they would have 43 points.

Boro's next two games are event tougher - improving Arsenal at the Emirates and Manchester United at home.

So while they too could reach 49 points, they will struggle to get past 40.

Newcastle's dreadful form is not improving under their new so-called Messiah.

Next up for them is a home match against Paul Hart's improving Portsmouth, followed by a trip to Anfield.

After that they meet Middlesbrough in a clash at St James Park which makes the term six pointer seem inadequate.

Despite their desperately poor display at the Brit, Blackburn must consider that home games against Wigan and Portsmouth are winnable. Three or four points from those games will keep them clear of the drop zone.

And Sunderland will be licking their lips at the prospect of a trip to West Brom after which they'll hope to find Everton with minds on the FA Cup final.

Looking at those fixtures, it looks very likely that two out of Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Hull City will go down with West Brom.

It would seem an injustice for a well run club like the Boro to go down at the expense of the ludicrous circus that is Newcastle United, but I fear for the Teessiders.

Unless they find their goalscoring boots fast they will be playing in the Championship.