There was a time no so long ago where the signing of certain players was almost a guaranteed relegation from the top flight.
Those players managers used to say brought ‘invaluable experience’ to their side. Yes – the invaluable experience of countless relegations.
If your team were linked with Nigel Quashie, Marcus Bent or Ashley Ward you should have gone straight to the nearest bookmaker and put any spare capital on them playing in the Championship the following season.
But while a decade or so ago every fan could name you those players, the cult status of the often relegated player has disappeared of late.
It could be because players move round more than they did 10 years ago, so signings from abroad are more common rather than journeymen Premier League players’ constantly switching clubs on the transfer merry-go-round.
Also, clubs being promoted to the Premier League seem better prepared for life in the top flight, whereas established clubs who take thir eye of the ball tend to be the ones who fall.
But we should not be deterred for if you look closely enough there are still a few players who should be counted in the same bracket as Messrs Nathan Blake and Herman Hreidarsson (both tied on five Premier League relegations a piece for the current record).
Here are a few who may yet take on the mantle:
Martin Olsson
The Swedish defender is on for his fourth relegation in English football this season with Swansea City having previously experienced the dreaded drop with Blackburn and twice with Norwich City.
At only 29 years of age he has more than enough time to beat Herman and Nathan. Fans of WBA, Stoke, Southampton, Brighton and Newcastle beware.
Rob Green
The veteran goalkeeper doesn’t look in imminent danger of achieving his fifth top flight relegation with Huddersfield but they are not safe yet and ever there was Jonah it’s the former England man.
His first came in 2005 when Norwich City lost 6-0 to Fulham on the final day of the season to drop out of the Premier League. He then subsequently went down with West Ham in 2011 and then twice with QPR.
Matt Phillips
The tricky winger is only 26 but has already tasted relegation with Blackpool and twice with QPR.
Now at West Bromwich Albion, he could be on for number four and is surely set to break all records if he keeps up his current run.
Wolves, Bristol City and Cardiff beware!
Rudy Gestede
Another man in with a good shout of breaking some relegation records, the rangy Middlesbrough striker has had his fair share of relegations having being demoted with Metz in France as well as with Cardiff, Aston Villa and Boro.
Sebastian Bassong
The list would not be complete without mentioning the French defender who started his relegation career with aplomb having taken Metz down twice before gracing our shores with his presence.
He then went down to the second tier with Newcastle, Wolves and then twice with Norwich.
The 31-year-old is currently without a club. Hopefully a side at the bottom end of the Prem will take a punt soon.
