As the dust starts to settle after the final set of Premier League games the last two relegation places have now been settled and Blackpool and Birmingham join West Ham in the Championship next year. Not for the first time a club have been relegated after winning a trophy and it may be scant consolation for Birmingham that they will be playing in Europe next season in the Europa League. Ironically the fair play league to determine the last European place could go to Blackpool giving England two representatives in the second tier playing in Europe joining Spurs and Stoke.
   The way Blackpool have conducted themselves, primarily the attacking football they strive for as well as the entertainment factor of manager Ian Holloway, has won them plenty of plaudits and many supporters of other teams are sad to see them go down. However, football is not sentimental and goodwill is no replacement for points and to Blackpool's further credit they are well aware of that and did not make the mistake of others and try to spend their way out of trouble. By keeping their means modest they return to the Championship in a good financial position but as Holloway himself intimated returning will not be straight forward as they struggle to keep hold of key players.