The Premier league is the promised land for many teams and their fans. It is often said that you need to get a minimum of about 38 to 40 points to guarantee survival – these teams would have dreamt of that tally – not even getting close.
So if you are fan of one of these four teams, yes one of the teams has the distinction of appearing twice in this list. You might want to turn away – some of these teams have had further nightmares dropping down out of the Championship
5. Sunderland (2002-03)
Points: 19
Goals For: 21
Goals Against: 65
Goal difference: -44
This was genuinely an utter shambles of a season, at the point the worst to exist.
They had 3 managers during the season – Peter Reid sacked in October. Three days later, the board made the decision to hire Howard Wilkinson, who had not managed a team for six years. Wilkinson was sacked in March and McCarthy brought in to replace him but it was to late
They signed Tore Andre Flo from Rangers for £6,750,000 – he scored 4 goals in the league. Even the prolific Kevin Phillips could only muster 6 goals.
Amazingly they managed to beat Liverpool 2-1 on December 15. They wouldn’t win again for the rest of the season, and only picked up two more points and losing 15 straight games to close the season. In fact the only managed to draw 2 of the last 20 games.
They won 4 games in total all season – 3 at home and 1 away from home to Leeds. The shame but worse was to follow.
4. Aston Villa (2015-16)
Points: 17
Goals For: 27
Goals Against: 76
Goal difference: -49
Another 3 manager season – The club was initially managed by Tim Sherwood who was sacked in October . Remi Garde then lasted until March. Eric Black was put in temporary charge until the end of the season but it was to late.
Its hard to believe in this season that Villa actually won the first game of the season against Bournemouth 1 – 0. They then went another 20 games to register the next victory.
The club were relegated from the top flight of English football for the first time since the 1986–87 season. The season was notable for the start of Jack Grealish’s career although off the field issues did not help and he was dropped.
The club did release or sell various players such as Christian Benteke for £32.5 million.Fabian Delph for £8 million. they did buy players such as Jordan Ayew and actually spent £60 million but the turinver of players looked like it harmed the club. 12 players in and 14 players out.
An utter shambles of a season but not the worst.
3. Huddersfield Town (2018-19)
Points: 16
Goals For: 22
Goals Against: 76
Goal difference: -54
The fact that Huddersfield survived the first season in the Premier league was a big surprise, this was an unmitigated disaster of a season. The manager who got them promoted David Wagner was sacked in January and Jan Siewert took over for the rest of the season – he managed 1 win and 5 points in total.
Their big signing was Ramadan Sobhi from Stoke City for £5,700,000 – nope, me neither. In fact that was the main issue the list of signings was poor and they didn’t consolidate and strengthen the squad.
The top scorer for the season was Karlan Grant with 4 goals albeit from only 9 starts.
The only got 16 points – 3 wins in total. The fact that 6 of those points came against Wolves just showed how it could have been so much worse. Wolves finished 7th that season !!!!.
They were officially relegated on March 30 after 32 games. Not the worst – that will come.
2. Sunderland (2005-06)
Points: 15
Goals For: 26
Goals Against: 69
Goal difference: -43
Remember that Sunderland team from earlier, it would be hard to beat that dismal season – they managed it in some style as well.
When your big signing is Jon Stead from Blackburn Rovers for £1,800,000, he managed 1 goal all season in 34 games – you know this may be a long season and that was one of the key problems – very little investment in the squad.
They won a measly 3 games all season – the only one once at home all season against Fulham in the second last game of the season and twice away against Middlesboro and West Brom. The top scorer for the season was 4 players with 3 goals each.
Mick McCarthy managed the club until February before being sacked, Kevin Ball then took over as caretaker manager.
1. Derby County (2007-08)
Points: 11
Goals For: 20
Goals Against: 89
Goal difference: -69
This was the sort of season that is hard to get your head round – various records broken, none of them good.
Billy Davies left the club on 26 November 2007 after winning only one game to be replaced by former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell. He didn’t win any games.
In 2 transfer windows they signed 19 players and 19 players were sold or released. A staggering turnover which highlighted a train wreck of a club, the Chief Executive and chairman both left their positions in October.
The top scorer for the season was Kenny miller with 4 goals who was signed £2.25m from Celtic, he actually scored the only goal in their 1 win against Newcastle. They actually took 4 poinst from 11 against Newcastle.
The club set the following records during this season
The lowest Premier League total in history with 11 points.
Matched the record of Loughborough’s Football League record of just one win in a season set in 1899–1900.
After only 32 games it was the earliest relegation in history.
Conceded the most Premier League goals in a 38-game season
Scored the fewest goals which was equaled by Sheffield United later
Set the worst ever goal difference.
Most defeats in a season.
Summary
Well there you go – nightmares for fans of those clubs. Will the Derby record ever be beaten – I doubt it
