Winless but not desperate: what's happening in the Premier League's bottom four? | first division

Ipswich Ptos 4 GD -8

Why have they fought? Ipswich don't behave like fighters. They had the toughest start after 22 years away, facing Liverpool and Manchester City, so an element of recovery was inevitable. But some nerves may arise if they don't come out of their next three games, all winnable, with a first win. Kieran McKenna strengthened his squad heavily in the summer and, while the core that won promotion remains, there has been an inevitable adaptation process. Liam Delap has the ball rolling after moving from City, but his fate may depend on how quickly his fellow recruits find their rhythm.

What signs of hope are there? Until an error-plagued defeat to West Ham last time out, Ipswich were able to take positives from every game. They defended valiantly to hold off Brighton and then, when Aston Villa visited a typically atmospheric Portman Road, they showed a more familiar team in a 2-2 draw they should have won. They don't look out of place and, with some better decisions in the attacking areas, they would be much better off. Kalvin Phillips has started well after his surprise loan spell and Delap, Jacob Greaves and Omari Hutchinson are three of the best young English players around; all three should only improve as the season progresses.

How confident is the manager? McKenna's job is among the safest in the world. first division. Ipswich breathed a huge sigh of relief when he signed a lucrative new contract in May despite overtures from several top-flight rivals. He has barely put a foot wrong since arriving in December 2021 and will be forgiven for a few bumps in the road this season. He has shown that, when necessary, his team can show a more pragmatic approach than the cloak-and-dagger style that saw them rise through the divisions. N/A

Crystal Palace Pts 3 GD -5

Why have they fought? The turnover of players in the summer, four of whom arrived on deadline day following the departures of Michael Olise, Jordan Ayew and Joachim Andersen, has been a major factor. A new defense has struggled for consistency and Oliver Glasner's side have looked a long way from the swashbuckling team that finished so well last season and have scored just five goals in their first seven games. The goals have dried up for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze have failed to regain the form that earned them selection for the England squad for Euro 2024.

What signs of hope are there? Palace spent around £65m on signings over the summer, not including the free transfer of Daichi Kamada from Lazio, and brought in Trevoh Chalobah on loan from Chelsea. None of them have really made their mark so far, but there are promising signs that Maxence Lacroix, Chalobah and Marc Guéhi can develop into an imposing back three if given time to establish themselves. Ismaïla Sarr, Kamada and Eddie Nketiah have shown flashes of their ability but must score goals to push Palace up the table.

How confident is the manager? Glasner could do no wrong at the end of last season but will have equaled Palace's infamous start to the 2016-17 season, when they took three points after eight games after sacking Frank De Boer, if they lose to Nottingham Forest on Monday. Given his dependence on the full-backs, the Austrian must find a solution to replace Daniel Muñoz on the right if the Colombian remains out after limping off against Liverpool in their last game. Glasner will realize that another defeat would pile on the pressure ahead of meetings with Spurs and Aston Villa. EA

Southampton Ptos 1 GD – 11

Why have they fought? The fourth best team in the championship last season would always find it difficult to take a step forward in their category. An attempt has been made to reinforce the squad; Seven of the starting XI in last month's defeat to Bournemouth did not start for the club in the league last season. Cameron Archer, one of 14 summer signings, scored his first goal against Arsenal last time out and Aaron Ramsdale is an upgrade in goal. Russell Martin has been criticized for being dogmatic but, as he said after the 3-1 defeat at Bournemouth, the goals they conceded were not down to style but a lack of aggression. Southampton We have a bloated squad and the coach is obviously not sure which team is his best.

What signs of hope are there? Tyler Dibling, 18, who joined the academy when he was eight, has been the overwhelming beacon of light. The Exeter-born teenager was magnificent on his debut against Manchester United, almost opening the scoring after collecting the ball inside his own half and then winning a penalty. Dibling, who is at his best taking the ball on the turn and beating defenders, showed magnificent poise to bury his first senior goal against Ipswich. Martin has placed great trust in a player he believes the world is surely watching.

How confident is the manager? Martin was rewarded with a new three-year contract after leading the Saints to promotion via a playoff final at Wembley. Giving Arsenal a scare last time relieved the immediate pressure, but Martin knows results must continue to satisfy owner Dragan Solak, who sanctioned more than £100m for signings, and that data or encouraging statistics count for little. “Nobody cares unless you win,” he said this week. Leicester's visit to St Mary's on Saturday has been tipped as the ideal opportunity for Martin to get those elusive first three points. boyfriend

Wolves Pts 1 GD -12

Why have they fought? Wolves have conceded a league-high 21 goals and, at the other end, key players from last season are either absent (see Pedro Neto) or out of form, in the case of Hwang Hee-chan. The decision not to replace Maximilian Kilman, one of only two outfield players to play every minute in the top flight last season (the other was Arsenal's William Saliba), has been further exposed by Yerson's knee injury. Mosquera that ended his season. Gary O'Neil's decision to persist with a back four has so far backfired, but he is determined to switch to a five-man defense for the visit of Manchester City on Sunday, although his options are limited, with Craig Dawson, Toti Gomes and Santiago. Well, the only senior central defenders available.

What signs of hope are there? The Wolves have the make-up of a decent team; The problem is that they lack depth and two months in their team are being tense. With Matheus Cunha, João Gomes and André, a summer deadline day signing from Fluminense, they have a trio of Brazilian internationals. Hwang and full-backs Rayan Aït-Nouri and Nélson Semedo are among those yet to reach the heights of last season. Number 9 Jørgen Strand Larsen scored his second goal of the season in the humiliating 5-3 defeat at Brentford last time out (a performance O'Neil described as the worst he has overseen as a manager) and has shown signs of potential.

How confident is the manager? O'Neil and his team signed new four-year deals in the summer after reviving Wolves last season and the club are keen to give him more time to turn things around. They are aware of the brutal fixture list – Wolves have faced Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle – but things don't get any easier with a trip to Brighton after hosting City. O'Neil retains the support of those making the decisions but, with the Wolves bottom after six defeats in seven, he must find a way to arrest the slide. boyfriend