Is it already curtains for Wigan, Millwall and Blackpool?

Things haven't worked yet for Malky MacKay at the DW

Wigan, Millwall and Blackpool are below the safety line looking up but is it already over for the three clubs?

As most football fans know, the Championship is an unforgiving division that simply takes no prisoners.

In a unique situation all 24 teams have the ability to beat each other throughout the season. If you're sitting pretty at the top of the table, teams can still produce shocks week in week out.

It's this characteristic that keeps the league entertaining until the very end of the campaign. Yet in early February, some critics are already looking at the bottom three and suggesting they are doomed.

Millwall, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool currently occupy the bottom three after 28 games. While there is still three months of the season to go, the future looks ominous for those in and around the relegation places.

In typical fashion the table is very close with six teams sitting on 34 points, ranging from 12th to 17th. However, Charlton, Leeds, Rotherham and Brighton are all in the danger zone.

A win or two for any of those sides puts a decent size gap between themselves and the bottom three, so are Millwall, Wigan and Blackpool already destined for League One next season?

Millwall's recent run of form has had their fans worried after they went six Championship games without a win.

Ian Holloway's fighting spirit eventually shone through last weekend though when his side snatched victory at the death against Nottingham Forest in that 1-0 win at the City Ground.

On deadline day, he managed to snap up Michael Tonge and Jordan Archer on loan until the end of the season. Tonge joined from Leeds while Archer moves down a division from Tottenham.

The Lions also added Southampton defender Jos Hooiveld earlier in the window and Holloway's side looks stronger thanks to their recent additions.

Out of three, Blackpool's plight is by the worst. The Tangerines sit rock bottom of the table and they are nine point away from safety. Former Birmingham City boss Lee Clark is in charge but his side's form doesn't give the fans much hope.

They secured just one win in 13 games during November and December and their embarrassing campaign was summed up when they conceded seven goals in the second half to Watford on January 24.

However, they have managed to spring a surprise or two as they beat relegation rivals Millwall and Brighton 1-0.

Wigan boss Malky Mackay was also eager to bolster his squad on deadline day as he brought in three players to help his struggling side.

Sheyi Ojo, Leon Clarke and Gaetan Bong all moved to the DW Stadium on Monday, with Jason Pearce also joining earlier on in the window.

Mackay worked wonders with former club Cardiff but his approach has yet to take off at Wigan who could follow go down just a year after nearly returning to the Premier League under Uwe Rosler.

They have only won one game in 15 attempts, with their last taste of victory coming on Boxing Day when they beat Leeds at Elland Road. Shaun Maloney and Callum McManaman have jumped ship and it doesn't look good for the Latics at present.

There's no denying that all three clubs are in danger and they will be no sympathy from the rest of the division. Out of three Millwall could well survive. Their January signings will add experience and creativity at a crucial stage of the season.

However, Wigan and Blackpool appear to be on a downward spiral to League One. Both clubs may need to start afresh from the third tier before they start to taste that winning feeling on a regular basis.