As the Premier League season marches on, four teams find themselves in an unenviable position – winless and desperate for a change in fortunes. Crystal Palace, Wolves, Southampton, and newly-promoted Ipswich Town are the unfortunate quartet languishing at the foot of the table, each grappling with their own unique set of challenges as they seek to turn their campaigns around.
Palace’s Persistent Problems
For Crystal Palace, the departure of key creative force Michael Olise to Bayern Munich has left a gaping hole in their attacking prowess. The Eagles now rely heavily on Eberechi Eze to provide the spark, but without his partner in crime, the task has proven difficult. Manager Oliver Glasner, once lauded for his tactical acumen, cuts an increasingly frustrated figure on the sidelines as his team struggles to find the net.
Injuries have also taken their toll on Palace, with summer signing Adam Wharton and striker Jean-Philippe Mateta both spending time on the treatment table. The absence of these key figures has further compounded the South London side’s woes, leaving them bereft of options in crucial areas of the pitch.
Wolves’ VAR Woes
Wolves, meanwhile, find themselves seething with a sense of injustice after a string of VAR decisions have gone against them. Manager Gary O’Neil’s post-match comments following a controversial defeat to Manchester City have landed him in hot water with the FA, but the former Portsmouth midfielder remains unrepentant in his criticism of the technology.
If I had to upset someone in the street and there’s a big and little guy in the street, I’m upsetting the little guy.
Gary O’Neil on confronting officials
Despite showing flashes of promise on the pitch, Wolves have been unable to translate performances into points, leaving them rooted in the relegation zone and in desperate need of a change in fortune.
Saints’ Defensive Struggles
Southampton boss Russell Martin has become a meme-worthy figure on the touchline, his exasperated reactions to his side’s inability to hold onto a lead becoming a regular feature of Saints’ matches. The South Coast club have developed an unwanted reputation for defensive fragility, shipping goals at an alarming rate and undoing any good work done at the other end of the pitch.
Martin’s commitment to playing attractive, possession-based football is admirable, but without the results to back it up, questions are starting to be asked about whether a more pragmatic approach may be necessary to stem the tide of goals conceded.
Ipswich’s Adaptation Issues
For newly-promoted Ipswich Town, life in the Premier League has proven to be a harsh reality check. Manager Kieran McKenna, like Martin a proponent of attractive football, has found it difficult to replicate the success that saw the Tractor Boys earn promotion from the Championship last season.
Despite significant investment in the squad over the summer, Ipswich have found the step up in quality a tough one to navigate. McKenna has cut an increasingly forlorn figure on the sidelines, often sinking into his puffer jacket as he watches his side struggle to adapt to the demands of top-flight football.
The Road Ahead
As the season progresses, the pressure will only continue to mount on these four winless sides. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining whether any of them can finally break their duck and start to climb the table. Failure to do so could see the gap to safety widen to an insurmountable margin, leaving them facing a long, hard slog to avoid the drop.
For the managers, the challenge is to find a way to galvanize their squads and instill a sense of belief that they can turn things around. Whether through tactical tweaks, personnel changes, or sheer force of will, something needs to change if these teams are to avoid being cut adrift at the foot of the Premier League table.
The coming weeks will be a true test of character for Palace, Wolves, Southampton, and Ipswich. With each passing matchday, the stakes grow higher, and the margin for error becomes ever slimmer. It remains to be seen whether any of these sides have what it takes to arrest their slides and start putting points on the board. For now, though, the winless quartet remains a cautionary tale of the unforgiving nature of life in the Premier League.
