The 2024 Premier League season has started rough for four teams: Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Each of these clubs finds itself in the bottom four of the league table, still searching for a win after seven matches. Despite their challenging starts, there are reasons for optimism within these squads. In this deep dive, we explore the struggles each team faces and the potential paths to Premier League survival.
Ipswich Town: A Tough Start but Signs of Life
Current Position: 17th, 4 points, Goal Difference -8
Manager: Kieran McKenna
Why Have They Struggled?
Returning to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, Ipswich Town was always expected to face an uphill battle. The team was handed a particularly tough early schedule, going up against Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City in their first few matches. These fixtures put them in a catch-up position from the start. However, it isn’t just the fixtures that have contributed to their slow start—settling in new summer recruits has also taken time. Kieran McKenna brought in several key players to bolster his squad, including young talents like Liam Delap and Kalvin Phillips on loan. While Delap has hit the ground running, some players are still finding their footing.
Reasons for Hope
Ipswich has managed to show resilience, even in the face of defeat. Before their 3-0 loss to West Ham, they earned positive results, including a stout 0-0 draw with Brighton and an exciting 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at Portman Road. The team doesn’t look out of place in the Premier League, and with a bit more precision in attacking areas, they could have picked up more points.
The performances of Delap, Phillips, and the versatile Jacob Greaves offer hope that Ipswich can find more consistency as the season progresses. McKenna, who signed a new contract in May, has the club’s backing and is considered one of the safer managerial appointments in the Premier League. His tactical flexibility and ability to implement a more pragmatic approach will be crucial as Ipswich fights to secure its place in the top flight.
Crystal Palace: Struggling to Find Cohesion
Current Position: 18th, 3 points, Goal Difference -5
Manager: Oliver Glasner
Why Have They Struggled?
Crystal Palace has faced difficulties this season after significant player turnover in the summer. Key players like Michael Olise, Jordan Ayew, and Joachim Andersen departed, leaving gaps that new arrivals have yet to fill. The team brought in players such as Daichi Kamada, Ismaïla Sarr, and Eddie Nketiah, but they have struggled to make an immediate impact. Palace has only scored five goals in seven matches, a stark contrast to their attacking prowess last season.
In addition, Palace’s defense has struggled to find consistency. Glasner’s new-look backline has yet to gel, and injuries to players like Daniel Muñoz have only added to the team’s problems. Glasner must find a way to integrate his summer signings and create cohesion if Palace is to climb out of the relegation zone.
Reasons for Hope
Despite the struggles, Palace did invest heavily in new talent, and there are signs that these players could develop into a strong unit. Trevoh Chalobah, on loan from Chelsea, along with Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guéhi, could form an imposing back three once they adapt to Glasner’s tactics. The return of Eberechi Eze, who was one of Palace’s most creative forces last season, could reignite their attack. With winnable fixtures on the horizon, Glasner needs to quickly figure out how to maximize his new recruits’ potential to avoid a prolonged slump.
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Southampton: A Tough Transition to Premier League Life
Current Position: 19th, 1 point, Goal Difference -11
Manager: Russell Martin
Why Have They Struggled?
Southampton, after securing promotion through a Wembley playoff final, knew the leap to Premier League football would be difficult. Their squad has undergone significant changes, with many new signings attempting to make an impact. However, finding the right balance has been a challenge, as manager Russell Martin is still unsure of his best team. In their 3-1 loss to Bournemouth, seven of the starting XI did not feature in last season’s promotion run.
Southampton’s issues are not just about tactics, though Martin’s reliance on possession-based football has been criticized for leaving the team vulnerable defensively. The main concern lies in the team’s lack of aggression and composure in key moments, leading to a high number of goals conceded.
Reasons for Hope
Southampton may be struggling, but the emergence of teenage prodigy Tyler Dibling has provided a glimmer of hope. The 18-year-old has been a revelation, impressing on his full debut against Manchester United and scoring his first senior goal against Ipswich. His poise and ability to drive forward have made him a standout performer, and his continued development could provide Southampton with the creative spark they need.
Martin, who signed a three-year contract extension after last season’s promotion, still has the club’s backing. With the visit of Leicester City on the horizon, Southampton has a golden opportunity to secure their first win and turn their season around
Wolves: Defensive Woes Take Their Toll
Current Position: 20th, 1 point, Goal Difference -12
Manager: Gary O’Neil
Why Have They Struggled?
Wolves’ season has been defined by their defensive struggles, having conceded a league-high 21 goals. Injuries have ravaged their backline, with key players like Yerson Mosquera out for the season and Pedro Neto absent up front. Manager Gary O’Neil has been forced to shuffle his lineup, but with limited depth, Wolves have been unable to stop the bleeding.
Offensively, key contributors from last season, like Hwang Hee-chan, have been out of form, and the team has lacked firepower to make up for their defensive frailties. O’Neil’s switch to a back four has not worked, and he is expected to revert to a five-man defense for upcoming matches.
Reasons for Hope
Despite their defensive woes, Wolves still have talent in their squad. Matheus Cunha, João Gomes, and summer signing André form a solid Brazilian core in the midfield, and Jørgen Strand Larsen has shown glimpses of potential with two goals this season. While Wolves remain bottom of the table, the club hierarchy is willing to give O’Neil time to turn things around, especially considering the difficulty of their fixture list.
Wolves’ upcoming matches against Manchester City and Brighton will be tough, but if O’Neil can restore confidence in the defense, they may yet find a way out of the relegation battle.
The Fight for Survival
Ipswich, Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Wolves have all faced unique challenges this season, but none are without hope. Each team has players and managers capable of steering their clubs out of the bottom four. While the journey to safety will be tough, the Premier League season is long, and there is still plenty of time for these clubs to turn things around. With tactical adjustments, squad cohesion, and some luck, the bottom four may soon start climbing the table.
A reminder of how the Premier League table stands as we head towards Matchweek 8 pic.twitter.com/wSHcJymYk7
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 14, 2024
