How do teams pointless after four matches fare in the Premier League?
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Solace for West Ham?
It’s been far from a satisfactory start for Manuel Pellegrini and West Ham United. The Hammers sit rock-bottom of the Premier League after four matches having failed to pick up a single point.
Their relegation odds have been cut to 5/2. But is there still hope for the East Londoners?
The Coral News Team has rooted through the history books and summarised the fortunes of the 10 teams to have started in a similar fashion.
AFC Bournemouth (2017-18)
Eddie Howe’s men lost to West Bromwich Albion, Watford, Manchester City and Arsenal in their opening four matches. A record of four wins before Christmas looked bleak for the Cherries, but just five defeats after the December nuptials saw the Cherries finish 12th on 44 points.
Crystal Palace (2017-18)
Frank de Boer kicked things off with five defeats from five before getting the sack as Palace suffered one of the worst starts in Premier League history. Roy Hodgson eventually steadied the ship, guiding the South Londoners to an eventual 11th place finish.
Southampton (2012-13)
A tough start to life in the top-flight saw Southampton lose eight of their opening 10 matches. Nigel Adkins managed five wins before being replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, who guided the Saints to 14th with just five defeats in their last 16 matches.
West Ham United (2010-11)
Things lurched from bad to worse for West Ham under Avram Grant. The ex-Chelsea boss saw his side concede three goals in a quartet of defeats to begin the season. A four-game unbeaten run provided brief respite but the Hammers won just seven matches all season long to go down rock-bottom on 33 points.
Portsmouth (2009-10)
Even before their nine-point deduction, the writing was on the wall for Portsmouth. The South Coast side lost their first six matches and spent 37 out of the 38 weeks of the season rooted to the bottom of the table. The dire financial situation at Fratton Park would eventually see the club plummet to League Two.
Sunderland (2005-06)
Sunderland spent just five weeks off the bottom of the table in a season which produced three solitary victories. Mick McCarthy, Kevin Ball and Niall Quinn all took turns in the dugout but each could do nothing to resurrect the beleaguered Black Cats.
Middlesbrough (2001-02)
Steve McLaren got off to the worst possible start in his first managerial role by losing his opening four matches. Boro recovered to win 12 of their subsequent 34 games to finish nine points above the relegation zone in 12th.
Southampton (1998-99)
A 5-0 defeat to league debutants Charlton Athletic proved the lowlight in an eight-game winless run at the start the season for Southampton.
The Saints wouldn’t move out of the bottom-three for 34 consecutive weeks until three wins from three at the end of the campaign preserved their top-flight status. Manager Dave Jones remained throughout.
Aston Villa (1997-98)
Brian Little’s Aston Villa recovered from a horrendous start to end the season with a UEFA Cup spot under John Gregory. Dwight Yorke’s form was crucial towards the end of the campaign as the Villans finished with nine wins from their last 11 matches.
Swindon Town (1993-94)
A pair of five-goal maulings in their opening four matches set the tone for a year where Swindon would ship 100 goals and finish bottom of the Premier League. The Robins won just five matches all season long, with two of those coming against Queens Park Rangers.
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