The relegation candidates for the year appear to be Watford, West Ham, Charlton Athletic, Wigan and Sheffield United. The not-so-safe candidates, where a bad run could possibly drag them in, are Manchester City, Aston Villa and Fulham. But we are concerned today with the contenders for Best Actor in a Relegation Drama - with Watford and West Ham the front-runners for the Oscar.

Watford
The Hornets have had many embarrassing moments in their past that eclipse their football this season but to choose where fault lies, the first question is - would anyone in the Premiership buy any of these players at the end of the season? A million years ago there was talk of Tommy Smith being a talent but two goals in the season will do him no favours.

Ben Foster between the sticks has had plenty to do and quite a few of Watford's one-pointers are down to his skills. One could see a suitor looking for a good number-two keeper coming knocking with an idea that he could become class further down the line. Marlon King's power and commitment may well net Watford a tidy sum. Wigan, Bolton or Blackburn, well versed in the physical game, might see him as a perfect addition to their squads, especially with plenty of pace and only 27. I could see him finding a suitor.

Other than that, I have failed to see any players that other teams would be keen to look at. No-one has performed for Aidy Boothroyd. With no real money spent, Watford always looked like they were just dipping their feet in and expected to go down. I think their manager can be let off the hook. A brave effort but nothing, really, to work with.
Conclusion: Squad not good enough.

West Ham United
The second contender for Best Actor in a Dramatic Production is our dear West Ham United, the club that proved some years ago that you are never too good to go down. This is a team that started to spend, bringing in Luis Boa Morte, Matthew Upson and Lucas Neill, but perhaps too late. Looking at their squad I can see a number of names they might well have interested parties for. Amongst them are Marlon Harewood, Carlos Tevez, Boa Morte, Nigel Reo-Coker, Matthew Etherington, Yossi Benayoun, Lee Bowyer, Anton Ferdinand, Paul Konchesky, Calum Davenport, Neill, Upson and Robert Green. That's 12 players who might well find work elsewhere in the Premiership - so this may well to turn out to be the best squad relegated this year.

Yet somehow two managers have failed to get anything from the Hammers. Alan Pardew, after doing such a sterling job to get them up and keep them there for a year should, in my humble opinion, have been given the season to sort them out (like David Moyes at Everton). You do not become a bad manager overnight but anyone can have a bad five months. As it was, he got the boot before the window and their new manager has not yet steadied the ship.

Those who would blame Alan Curbishley, who did wonders with Charlton, are too quick out the blocks. The reason for his success at Charlton was the building a work ethos. That is not achieved overnight, it is a process and one that unfortunately doesn't look like coming to fruition in time to save their season. A smart club would stick with him even if they go down to the Championship. If they go down I back them to bounce back within two years, maybe even in one.

Conclusion: Managers not good enough - but with mitigating circumstances.