This Much We Know – Gameweek 4

With Hull and West Ham set to complete the Gameweek 4 action later this evening, we assess the lessons learned from the nine matches played out. Chelsea’s increasingly porous backline, Brendan Rodgers’ tinkering, Southampton’s form under Ronaldo Koeman, Tottenham’s in-form midfielder and United’s multitude of options all arrive on Monday’s lunchtime menu.

Pellegrini seems unconvinced by Dzeko again…
Having started 17 of City’s final 20 league matches in 2013/14, the Bosnian was instrumental in helping his side to the title but already it seems he’s far from certain to feature. Even with Alvaro Negredo farmed out on loan, Stevan Jovetic sidelined and Yaya Toure rested due to jet lag for the weekend trip to Arsenal, Manuel Pellegrini named the Bosnian as a sub – Dzeko has dropped to the bench to accommodate Sergio Aguero in each of the last two now, and despite last term’s heroics, it seems that – once again – his pitch time is anything but secure.

Chelsea’s attacking impetus comes at a cost..
A thrilling 4-2 win over the Swans maintained Chelsea’s swashbuckling start to the season. While Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas run riot in the final third, Jose Mourinho’s backline continues to frustrate their owners and, Branislav Ivanovic’s attacking endeavours aside, there seems little point in eyeing up the Blues’ defence right now. Chelsea have conceded six goals in their first four matches – put into perspective, they afforded their opponents just seven strikes in the final 16 matches of 2013/14. With City, Arsenal and United in the next five, shut-outs seem unlikely.

So much for a St Mary’s crisis…
The doubters were circling after a summer exodus but the Saints’ comprehensive thrashing of Newcastle highlights the impact of new boss Ronald Koeman. After four rounds of fixtures, Southampton have the second most resilient defence and third most impressive attack, and the likes of Ryan Bertrand, Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle have the fixtures to flourish further, with the latter emerging as the stand-out candidate in the mid-price bracket right now.

Rodgers can’t afford to bench Sterling..
In seasons gone by, Liverpool could almost always rely on Luis Suarez to come to the rescue when the chips were down. With the Uruguayan legging it to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge injured yet again, Brendan Rodgers’ side mustered just one shot on target in an insipid home display against Villa that saw them lose for the second time in four Gameweeks. The decision to rest Raheem Sterling will haunt his manager – given that Mario Balotelli could barely have looked less interested in the proceedings, it’s becoming clear that, if the Reds are to replicate last term’s second placed finish, the youngster has to be on board from the first whistle.

United are still a work in progress…
A change in system and the introduction of a handful of new signings helped Louis van Gaal’s side to their first win of the season but still there are more questions than answers regarding the Red Devils right now. Pre-match, the Dutchman conceded a host of injuries in defence was partly the reason for the tactical switch, whilst Radamel Falcao only warmed the bench as a result of jet lag. United certainly look to be finding their feet but we’re still far from certain over the Dutchman’s starting XI as we head towards Gameweek 5.

The Foxes and Clarets are made of stern stuff…
While Harry Redknapp’s QPR lick their wounds after a second mauling in three matches, the other two promoted sides are quietly finding their feet. Rolling up to the Britannia to face a Stoke side that had previously beaten City on their own patch, few gave Leicester a chance but Nigel Pearson’s side emerged with a win and clean sheet to take their record to one defeat in four. Having also held Everton and Arsenal, The Foxes are showing just why they topped the Championship last term, while runners-up Burnley have been equally resilient of late, with a goalless draw at Palace earning them a second successive clean sheet. At 4.0 apiece, Liam Moore and Michael Duff are becoming increasingly appealing in the budget bracket, with the latter now earning four bonus points in his last two appearances ahead of some kind upcoming fixtures.

…as are Villa…
One goal conceded in the first four fixtures underlines the remarkable turnaround in defensive fortunes for Paul Lambert’s side this season. The Midlands outfit shipped 61 goals last year – only the three relegated clubs afforded their opponents more – yet despite the absence of injured skipper Ron Vlaar, they were still able to repel the Merseysiders with a thoroughly disciplined display. With four of last term’s top five in the next four Gameweeks, though, Villa have stiffer tests to follow after Liverpool’s lacklustre display at Anfield.

Chadli could be Pochettino’s new Lallana…
The Belgian continues to thrive under his new manager after netting his third goal in as many matches. Pochettino’s arrival at Southampton sparked a turnaround in fortunes for both Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez before he legged it to the Lane this summer and so far Chadli seems the one player to have benefitted most from Spurs’ new style of play. While Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela alternate on the right and through the middle, Chadli continues to rack up the points on the left of the attacking midfield three and is now level on points with Aaron Ramsey in the Fantasy Premier League game.

Warnock is a Mariappa fan…
The former Watford man has now started each of Palace’s last two matches since the arrival of Neil Warnock. With the new manager shifting Joel Ward back to the left of defence for the visit of Burnley, Mariappa retained his spot at right-back as the Eagles earned their first shut-out of the season. Granted, having shipped three goals at Newcastle in Gameweek 3, Palace’s backline is yet to convince us they are worthy of investment in the post-Pulis era, but if they can push on from Saturday’s clean sheet, they may yet find a place in our plans.