With just six games played in the Premier League it's early days but there appears to be a difficult road ahead for the three newly promoted clubs, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton who are all still seeking their first victory.
These clubs are very much aware that the previous season the three promoted teams -- Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United -- made an immediate return to the Championship and they don't want a repeat of that. At least they have time to turn things around.
Happiest by far will be Ipswich who have managed four draws and only lost twice and are currently in 15th place. Their enthusiasm is evident but they definitely could do with a win to inject more confidence. The Tractor Boys have played in lively fashion and will be boosted by the form of young striker Liam Delap who scored both goals in last week's creditable 2-2 home draw against Aston Villa.
Manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with his team's latest performance. "To compete as we did against a team with the calibre of Aston Villa is very positive," he said. "It's another point, another game unbeaten and we move on."
Leicester have managed three draws to keep them just above the relegation zone in 17th place. The Thai-owned club have also shown spirit but really need a victory to kick-start their season. After struggling to beat fourth-tier Walsall in the League Cup manager Steve Cooper suffered dissenting crowd chants and was under pressure for his team's visit to Arsenal. However he will have been encouraged by Leicester's spirited second half display at the Emirates with the Gunners requiring two stoppage time goals to come away with a 4-2 victory.
The most concerned club must be Southampton who are second from bottom with just one point. The Saints' situation did not improve with a poor display in a 3-1 defeat at Bournemouth. It prompted exasperated manager Russell Martin to comment he was "hurt by the lack of spirit and fight" shown by his team. A manager publicly criticising his team is never a good sign.
There is no immediate light at the end of the tunnel for the Saints who today face a daunting trip away to Arsenal. Of the other two clubs Leicester may feel they can get their first win at home to Bournemouth while Ipswich might also be hoping for a result away to stuttering West Ham.
It's not only the newly promoted clubs that have suffered a poor start. Also without a win are Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers, although Palace have earned three draws.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner is clearly missing the silky skills of Michael Olise who made such an impact with the Eagles last season but has moved on to Bayern Munich. "We have to get the momentum back," he said after the disappointing 2-1 loss to Everton. "We must roll our sleeves up and keep going."
Wolves are bottom with just one point although they have had some tough fixtures and will be expected to slowly haul themselves to safety. In their latest game Wolves put up a good fight against Liverpool before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat, prompting Wolves manager Gary O'Neil to say he was "gutted". We know the feeling.
So, all the Tractor Boys, Foxes and Saints want this weekend is three points. It sounds so simple.
These clubs are very much aware that the previous season the three promoted teams -- Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United -- made an immediate return to the Championship and they don't want a repeat of that. At least they have time to turn things around.
Happiest by far will be Ipswich who have managed four draws and only lost twice and are currently in 15th place. Their enthusiasm is evident but they definitely could do with a win to inject more confidence. The Tractor Boys have played in lively fashion and will be boosted by the form of young striker Liam Delap who scored both goals in last week's creditable 2-2 home draw against Aston Villa.
Manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with his team's latest performance. "To compete as we did against a team with the calibre of Aston Villa is very positive," he said. "It's another point, another game unbeaten and we move on."
Leicester have managed three draws to keep them just above the relegation zone in 17th place. The Thai-owned club have also shown spirit but really need a victory to kick-start their season. After struggling to beat fourth-tier Walsall in the League Cup manager Steve Cooper suffered dissenting crowd chants and was under pressure for his team's visit to Arsenal. However he will have been encouraged by Leicester's spirited second half display at the Emirates with the Gunners requiring two stoppage time goals to come away with a 4-2 victory.
The most concerned club must be Southampton who are second from bottom with just one point. The Saints' situation did not improve with a poor display in a 3-1 defeat at Bournemouth. It prompted exasperated manager Russell Martin to comment he was "hurt by the lack of spirit and fight" shown by his team. A manager publicly criticising his team is never a good sign.
There is no immediate light at the end of the tunnel for the Saints who today face a daunting trip away to Arsenal. Of the other two clubs Leicester may feel they can get their first win at home to Bournemouth while Ipswich might also be hoping for a result away to stuttering West Ham.
It's not only the newly promoted clubs that have suffered a poor start. Also without a win are Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers, although Palace have earned three draws.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner is clearly missing the silky skills of Michael Olise who made such an impact with the Eagles last season but has moved on to Bayern Munich. "We have to get the momentum back," he said after the disappointing 2-1 loss to Everton. "We must roll our sleeves up and keep going."
Wolves are bottom with just one point although they have had some tough fixtures and will be expected to slowly haul themselves to safety. In their latest game Wolves put up a good fight against Liverpool before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat, prompting Wolves manager Gary O'Neil to say he was "gutted". We know the feeling.
So, all the Tractor Boys, Foxes and Saints want this weekend is three points. It sounds so simple.
