Why keeping QPR up would be the greatest achievement in Premier League history

After the goalless draw at Sunderland, QPR boss Harry Redknapp is facing up to the most difficult challenge of his distinguished managerial career.

QPR find themselves EIGHT points from safety after just 14 games - a gap that no club has ever overturned to avoid relegation in the Premier League era.

Here, we take a look at the two largest points deficits made up by a struggling Premier League club after 14 games, and how each team managed to claw their way out of trouble against all the odds...

Everton in 1994/95
League table after 14 games:

Everton endured a nightmare start to the 1994/95 campaign with only one victory from their opening 14 matches, a nervy 1-0 win against West Ham on their 13th league outing. Unlike QPR though, the Toffees were only five points from safety with the luxury of a game in hand, while the division contained 22 teams, meaning Everton had another four more games to get themselves out of trouble, something the Super Hoops can only dream of at this stage. 

It wasn't until Joe Royle took over from Mike Walker as Everton manager in November 1994 that the club's fortunes were transformed, immediately, with three victories on the bounce against Liverpool, Chelsea and Leeds. Royle made the Toffees a gritty, difficult to beat team, leading to them developing the 'Dogs of War' label.

Redknapp and co. can take heart from Everton's final points total, however, which kept them afloat by a huge five points - not to mention that FA Cup final victory over Man United in May 1995.

Key victories
Everton 2-0 Liverpool
Chelsea 0-1 Everton
Everton 3-0 Leeds
Everton 1-0 Man United
Everton 2-0 Newcastle

Here's how the final league table looked:

Wolves in 2010/11
League table after 14 games:

Along with West Ham, Mick McCarthy's Wolves side looked doomed after 14 games in 2010/11 following an eight game spell that yielded three draws and five defeats. Again, there were more positives than at Loftus Road this year, such as McCarthy's impressive home victories against Stoke and Man City.

A 3-2 win against Sunderland on their 15th game inspired a run of four wins in seven games, although it wasn't until the final day that Wolves eventually escaped from trouble.

Key victories
Wolves 3-2 Sunderland
Liverpool 0-1 Wolves
Wolves 1-0 Chelsea
Wolves 2-1 Man United
Aston Villa 0-1 Wolves

Here's how the final league table looked:

Can Harry Redknapp do what no manager has ever done and guide a team to safety that is cut adrift by eight points? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below...