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The Premier League is well and truly back in full flow, and the greatest league in the world has already been providing constant entertainment as it will no doubt continue to provide throughout the rest of the season.
Some teams have got off to a flyer, as teams like Brighton and Nottingham Forest have started surprisingly well: alternatively, sides such as Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace struggle to get their season up and running. Today, I’m going to reflect on how some teams have started and analyse how they can improve in order to help turn their season around
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have had a difficult start to the season under Gary O’Neill as his side sit bottom of the Premier League table, despite being on the same goals scored and goals conceded (hence same goal difference) as Everton. They slumped to this position after a 3-1 defeat to Midlands rivals Aston Villa, despite taking the lead after 25 minutes thanks to Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha.
It’s a second Premier League loss from a losing position in a row, after failing to hang onto the lead last week against Newcastle at Molineux thanks to late goals from Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes. This could be a concerning characteristic for this Wolves side if they fail to shake it, as the potential of taking the lead against their upcoming opponents could be the key to climbing up the table, as their next 5 sees them take on Liverpool, Brentford, Manchester City, Brighton and Crystal Palace.
Wolves have looked defensively weak so far this season, as left back Rayan Ait-Nouri has failed to return to the high levels he displayed last season. His first 5 games this season compared to his first 5 games from last season have seen him match his carry numbers at 123 carriers so far, however his progressive passes have decreased as his 14 this year has decreased from the 20 he completed last season by this point. If Wolves are to progress, perhaps more effective attacking from the Algerian full back will help them with such a task.
Crystal Palace
Palace’s highly anticipated first full season under Oli Glasner hasn’t got off to the rip-roaring start many may have expected as his team sit 16th after failing to win a game so far this season.
The season started with back to back losses against London rivals Brentford and West Ham, and despite momentum being regained after an emphatic Carabao Cup win against Norwich and gaining an impressive point at Stamford Bridge, this was quickly ended after a 2-2 draw against Leicester prevented the Eagle’s first win of the season.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Den Henderson has been off to a great start this season, conceding 7 goals from 10 post-shot expected goals. Such form was able to secure his place in Lee Carsley’s first England squad for the Nations League games in early September.
It’s been a slow start to the season for new fan-favourite Jean-Philippe Mateta, who despite chipping in with 2 goals so far this season which helped secure a point against Leicester City has had a disappointing start on the pitch. He averages 13.3 touches per 90 so far in the Premier League, and if Palace are to gain form and gain their first win of the season, they will need the Frenchman to regain the goalscoring touch he displayed at the end of last season.
West Ham United
At time of writing, West Ham sit 14th with a win, a draw and 3 losses kicking off their season. It’s been a disappointing start to the Lopetegui era in East London so far. After a win against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup was looking like momentum was going to pick up for the Spaniard’s side, the last 3 games have seen defeats with a whimper at home to Manchester City and Chelsea, conceding 3 in both games.
Centre-back partnership Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos have failed to form a strong relationship at the back so far for the hammers, which means it can’t be long before new summer signing Jean-Clair Todibo will get a start in the Premier League. With potential of trial by fire at Anfield in the league cup tonight, it could be pretty damning to introduce him back into the side in what is set to be a pretty tough game against the Reds.
If form continues to falter, it may not be long before LOpetegui’s credentials are questioned given the quality and investment given to the squad this summer, with the likes of Niklas Fullkrug an Crysencio Summerville adding to an already stellar attack with the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus.
Tottenham Hotspur
A mixed start to Ange Postecoglou’s second season in English football has got off to a varying start as Spurs have won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1 so far this season. Their league campaign started off with a disappointing draw with newly promoted Leicester City, before an emphatic 4-0 win saw them start the season on the right tone at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Form dipped once again after back to back losses in the league to Newcastle and Arsenal, but now look set to pick form back up again as a recent 3-1 win over Brentford may help build momentum in what’s set to be a tough November for the lily whites.
Their next 5 in the league (with 3 Europa league games taking place sporadically between them) sees them take on Manchester United, Brighton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, a tough run that could store some surprises for the North London outfit. Failure to pick up points and perform consistently throughout these games could cast significant clouds over Tottenham’s heads as they battle for a place back in Europe this season.
Spurs are expected to improve following the signing of former Liverpool Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for £65 million, as it means that there will be a clear focal point to their attacks with a dominating presence in the air and on the ground. However, a lack of service so far this season has meant that Solanke is yet to fully announce himself as the main man in Tottenham and has left him isolated from his teammates. Tottenham will have to improve the service to their new number 9 if they want to find the cutting edge in games and add an extra dimension of they want to gain consistency- a characteristic Ange Postecoglou has continuously reminded fans he wants to instil in his side.
Nottingham Forest
Nuno’s terrific trees have been off to a flyer so far this season, as a once again ever-changing Forest side has started this season with a clear brand of football and some excellent results. Last season, Forest started with 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw in their first 5, but this season are yet to loose a game and, similarly to last year, have already claimed 3 points against a member of the big six, after former Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi sealed a victory at Anfield.
This summer only saw 11 transfers in for the Midlands outfit, a 3 player decrease from the 14 they signed last summer (6 of which are no longer at the club). Wingers Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva seem to be welcome additions to the squad, as they combined to equalise against Brighton on the weekend and ensure a point was taken back with them to The City Ground. South American defender Murillo has continued his good form from last year also, acting as the stalwart at the heart of the Forest defence that has seem him garner interest from clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool, with the Madrid club potentially lining him up as their next Galáctico after missing out on other targets such as Leny Yoro this summer.
Forest face an interesting run of games in the next few weeks, as their next 5 see them take on Fulham, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Leicester and West Ham. Though it will be difficult to maintain their unbeaten run, should they be able to beat Fulham and avoid major injuries over the impending international period, who knows what will happen from Stamford Bridge and beyond as Forest continue to fight for a mid table spot.
Arsenal
It’s been a pleasing start to the season for the red side of North London, as Arsenal are yet to taste defeat in the league and have lots to be proud of so far this season. A mature defensive performance from Arsenal meant they almost left the Etihad on Sunday with 3 points, but a last-gasp goal from John Stones ensured the champions also maintained their unbeaten start.
The Gunner’s season kicked off against Wolves, where they started on the right tone with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka securing 3 points. An impressive 2-0 win at Villa Park would follow, and despite a draw to Brighton on matchday 3, this would not throw Arsenal off the scent too much as they secured 3 points against their biggest rivals Tottenham at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Defensive maturity has characterised these Arsenal performances, as new £42 million man Riccardo Calafiori has settled in well in North London, marking is good start with a wonderful strike against Manchester City (as pictured above). Former Ajax defender Jurriën Timber has also been regaining form following a cruciate ligament tear that ended his season in August 2023. The dutch defender will be searching to replicate the form that made Mikel Arteta desperate for his signature, as in his last full season at Ajax in the 2022/23 season he ranked 1st in the league for forward passes and touches, with a pass accuracy rate of 92%. It’s on the ball qualities like this and off the ball qualities such as his aerial strength and game-reading ability that could make him a real asset for Arsenal should he be able to stay fit.
