Six Teams Looking to Start Afresh After the International Break

As with any break, mangers and coaches have had the chance to regroup and plan the squad's development for the coming months. Improvement is the obvious aim for all the clubs, but for some teams the improvement will need to be far more dramatic than others.

With the international break coming to an end, focus shifts back to the Premier League this weekend.

As with any break, mangers and coaches have had the chance to regroup and plan the squad's development for the coming months. Improvement is the obvious aim for all the clubs, but for some teams the improvement will need to be far more dramatic than others.

Although we are only seven games into the 2014/15 Premier League campaign, decisions made in October could prove to be the difference between the Champions League and the Europa League or league survival and relegation.

The season may not have started as some fans had hoped, but there is still time for teams to start anew.

Here are the six Premier League teams looking to turn their season around after the international break...

6. Liverpool

Liverpool's nail-biting end to last year's Premier League campaign seems like a distant memory for the red half of Merseyside.

This season has begun in a far less sensational fashion and Brendan Rodgers' side are struggling to recreate the magical form that almost brought the league title back to Anfield for the first time in twenty four years.

Whilst Liverpool's back line has retained last season's defensive frailty, their forwards have failed to emulate the attacking prowess of the previous year and the Reds are currently nine points behind league leaders Chelsea.

Luis Suarez's departure coupled with Daniel Sturridge's recent injury has left Rodgers' side bereft of quality up-front and summer signing Mario Balotelli is still struggling to adjust to life back in the Premier League.

The international break has given the Liverpool boss time to develop the Sturridge/Balotteli relationship and the Northern Irishman will be keen for the pair to run riot against the hapless QPR on Sunday.

5. Arsenal

Sadly it seems like déjà vu for Arsenal fans and Groundhog Day for those of us in earshot of a Gooner.

Whilst Arsenal have proved capable of dispatching the so called lesser teams over the years, the North Londoners still fall short when they come up against the big boys of the Premier League.

Supporters have once again voiced their concerns over Arsene Wenger's management of the team and many have seen the Frenchman's refusal to purchase an established defensive central midfielder in the summer as the main reason for Arsenal's inability to challenge the Premier League pace setters.

Fortunately for Wenger, his team face an inconsistent Hull City side at the weekend and a home fixture against the Tigers on Saturday will provide the Gunners with a gentle easing back into league action.

4. Everton

Roberto Martinez was hailed after his impressive debut season in charge at Everton, but the Spaniard is struggling to find rhythm second time around.

The Toffees have yet to recapture the form that led them to fifth in last year's campaign, even if they have provided some of the most entertaining games of the season so far.

Transfer record shattering striker Romelu Lukaku has yet to rediscover the attacking potency that endeared him to the blue half of merseyside last season and Martinez has relied upon Stephen Naismith as his main source of goals.

John Stones is likely to be ruled out until 2015, but Bryan Oveido's recent return from injury will lessen the blow of losing the promising youngster.

Aston Villa's visit to Goodison Park should provide Everton with a timely boost and the Toffees will hope to get their season back on track as they look to mount a challenge for a top four spot.

3. Burnley

Sean Dyche's side are yet to win a game in seven Premier League encounters and the so called 'Ginger Mourinho' will have spent the entirety of the international break trying to figure out how he can guide Burnley to Premier League survival.

After a sterling display against Chelsea in the league opener, the Clarets appeared to have the grit and determination required to survive amongst England's elite.

However, Dyche's side have rarely produced performances like that which earned them plaudits way back in August and his team have only amassed four points from a possible twenty one.

Burnley face West Ham at home upon their return to Premier League action and whilst Big Sam's Hammers have improved since last season, Sean Dyche and his team will be optimistic of bagging the three points at Turf Moor.

2. Newcastle

The Toon's troubles continue to rumble on.

If the second half of last season was an indication of the mire the Magpies could find themselves in, then the current campaign's form appears to be an ominous stare into the footballing abyss.

Summer reinforcements Emmanuel Rivière and Rémy Cabella have yet to light up the Premier League and Alan Pardew has had to rely on forgotten man Papiss Cisse to salvage the points for his struggling side.

There is certainly enough quality within the Newcastle squad to keep the team in the Premier League, but do they want to play for their under fire manager?

Pardew's team return to action against league newbies Leicester City and the former West Ham manager's side will be expected to dispatch the Foxes with relative ease.

1. Queens Park Rangers

With only a win and a draw in seven games, the Premier League's bottom club seem destined for the drop.

Big name summer transfers have failed to inspire the Hoops' return to the Premier League and once again Tony Fernandes appears to have splashed the cash on the wrong players.

The experienced Rio Ferdinand seems to have forgotten how to play football after his recent punditry stint and exciting prospect Leroy Fer has so far failed to live up to expectation.

With Harry Redknapp odds-on favourite to be the next Premier League manager to go, the former Spurs boss is in desperate need of a dramatic response from his team.

Les Ferdinand has returned to the club in a 'head of football' role and with the vast array of coaches already at QPR, it seems the writing is on the wall for Rednapp.

For more fan views and opinion visit www.ftbpro.com

Close

What's Hot