Premier League: Every Team's Worst Starter

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Preseason optimism has every team on a level playing field, but after just a few games each fan knows who his team's weak link is.

Some weak links are left over from a manager's inability to strengthen during the summer, while at times new signings haven't bedded in properly.

For most, seven games in the English Premier League have elapsed. So, without further ado, here is each team's worst starter.

Arsenal: Vito Mannone

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Arsenal are the first of a few teams playing very well as a whole, making it tough to pinpoint holes in Arsene Wenger's lineup.

Drastic improvements to Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson's form mean they are no longer eligible for easy criticism by the masses, so Vito Mannone—despite only filling in for the injured Wojciech Szczesny—is Arsenal's weakest starter right now.

Aston Villa: Barry Bannan

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Paul Lambert is one of the most tactically flexible managers in world football, so most believed Barry Bannan would improve on his season under Alex McLeish.

Unfortunately so far, the Scot has been rather disappointing. Even when asked to play to his alleged strengths—short passing, keeping the ball on the floor—he's been underwhelming to say the least.

An overall pass completion rate of 75.3 percent is not good enough considering he isn't asked to do much more than keep the midfield ticking over.

Chelsea: John Obi Mikel

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Chelsea have started the season on fire so it's difficult to criticise Roberto Di Matteo or any of his players for their performance.

In this respect, we're looking for the player who hasn't shone, and that's probably John Obi Mikel.

In fairness, he's not done too much wrong and has improved since last season's rocky ride, but he simply has to stop misplacing the simple passes and avoid mental lapses.

Everton: Phil Neville

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Phil Neville's days as a starter for Everton should be drawing to a close soon enough.

It's difficult to pick holes in a Toffees side currently sitting fourth in the English Premier League, but the old-timer is the certifiable weak link.

Darron Gibson should come back into the side when fit to partner Leon Osman, reducing Neville to a captain's role from the bench.

Fulham: Kieran Richardson

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Kieran Richardson, although only very new at Craven Cottage, has a lot to do to win over the fans at Fulham after some rather average outings.

He scored what looked like the winner against Southampton, only to concede the foul that led to Jose Fonte's equaliser.

He's been "soft" (to quote Fulham fans) in both appearances for the club so far.

Liverpool: Jose Enrique

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In a thoroughly inconsistent season under Kenny Dalglish, Jose Enrique was one of the better performers.

He may well go down as the Scot's best-ever purchase, but he needs to pick himself up again to do so.

The Spanish left-back is currently out injured, but even when fit he's been warming the bench or underperforming.

His mistake against BSC Young Boys to hand them a goal epitomised his topsy-turvy season so far.

Manchester City: Mario Balotelli

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What an underwhelming campaign it's been for Mario Balotelli thus far.

Coming off the back of a wonderful Euro 2012 tournament, many expected the Italian hitman to catch fire. Unfortunately, he seems no closer to realising his potential after several dismal showings.

He's yet to score a Premier League goal for Roberto Mancini this season and appears fourth in the pecking order behind Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.

Manchester United: Patrice Evra

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Another team having a good season so far is Manchester United, and Sir Alex Ferguson is utilising his deep squad well.

But despite the recruitment of Alexander Buttner, along with his incredibly goalscoring debut, Patrice Evra hasn't stepped it up.

He's been underperforming for several years now and the arrival of the Dutchman was supposed to prompt him into form.

He's caught out of position a lot, lacks the pace to get to the byline and appears flat-footed when defending the one-on-one.

Newcastle United: Papiss Cisse

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What has happened to Papiss Cisse?

His arrival in Tyneside this January saw the Senegalese predator score 13 goals before the season's close, making him by far the best winter acquisition the English Premier League saw.

Consequently, Demba Ba suffered and failed to score a single goal while Cisse was on the pitch, so when it came to choosing between the two for my fantasy football team, the decision appeared easy.

I was wrong, as were many others. Cisse is still without a goal and, to add insult to injury, ballooned a penalty several thousand miles over the bar, thus scuppering his chance to get off the mark and into his groove.

Norwich City: Michael Turner

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Norwich City have had a tumultuous start to the season so far, but unfortunately I've not been able to catch too many of their games.

Having asked a couple of prominent Norwich bloggers and fans who their weakest link is, a relatively common response emerged.

@CanaryAlec sums it up: "Michael Turner has only played 3 games but it has to be him. He's looked slow, immobile and an accident waiting to happen."

Queens Park Rangers: Jose Bosingwa

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For those Chelsea fans wondering if Jose Bosingwa got any better, look no further. I can give you the answer.

Verdict: still rubbish.

I had the (dis)pleasure of observing West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Queens Park Rangers from the away end last weekend, and the Portuguese right-back was positively awful.

He's scared to cross first time, his controlled crosses are poor and doesn't offer an awful lot in defence. To think he owns a UEFA Champions League winners medal...

Reading: Adam Federici

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Adam Federici has been a real disappointment for Reading fans so far this season.

When you take into account his superb performances toward the end of last year's campaign in the Championship, it's unfortunate to see the Australian goalkeeper fail to step up to a new level.

Big mistakes against Stoke City and Chelsea have cost him his place in the team, seeing Alex McCarthy take up a first-team role.

Stoke City: Andy Wilkinson

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Stoke made some interesting signings during the summer transfer window, and while Charlie Adam has hardly hit form so far, Andy Wilkinson has been the most disappointing Potter.

His three-game ban for elbowing Mario Balotelli (via BBC.co.uk) only serves to highlight what a poor start he's had.

Southampton: Daniel Fox

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Nigel Adkins tried to solve his left-back problem in the summer, but failed as Vitesse and Southampton couldn't reach an agreement for Alexander Buttner.

Weeks later, with the Dutchman a Manchester United player, the Saints boss has to make do with Daniel Fox and so far, he's let the team down on a number of occasions.

He was an excellent top-tier Championship full-back, but in the English Premier League he's been sloppy in possession and positionally poor.

Sunderland: Stephane Sessegnon

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Stephane Sessegnon pretty much carried Sunderland last season, playing in a variety of positions and scoring or creating the bulk of the Black Cats' goals.

This season, Steven Fletcher has taken centre stage after a multimillion pound move from Wolves, leaving the Benin international out of the limelight.

Sessegon's making far fewer key passes than he did last season, as Sunderland, under Martin O'Neill, play much wider than under Steve Bruce.

Swansea City: Danny Graham

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Danny Graham was a great spot by Brendan Rodgers last year, and the English target man combined size and strength with great ball control.

He was the focal point for Swansea's attack, and without him they looked lost. This season is entirely different, as the arrival of Michu has seen the Spaniard become the new go-to option.

Graham's one goal from seven starts is a rather disappointing beginning.

West Bromwich: Marc-Antoine Fortune

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With competition for a starting spot in West Bromwich Albion's front line at an all-time high, it's disappointing when a player comes in and fails to make an impact.

With Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie the de facto best partnership available to Steve Clarke and with Romelu Lukaku the best impact player available, Fortune may need to start looking for a new club.

He's made three English Premier League starts so far, remains without a goal and struggles to keep his passing under control.

Tottenham Hotspur: Gylfi Sigurdsson

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A lot was expected of a circa £8 million signing Gylfi Sigurdsson after Tottenham went above and beyond to snatch him from the jaws of Liverpool.

It has to be said, however, that some world football aficionados saw this flop coming. Andre Villas-Boas transferred the same blueprint from FC Porto to Chelsea and now to White Hart Lane with Spurs.

The 4-3-3 that the Portuguese tactician uses does not facilitate the Icelandic midfielder and it's shown so far. He's playing second fiddle to Moussa Dembele and doesn't look like returning.

West Ham: Carlton Cole

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West Ham and Sam Allardyce are known for playing with a target man, and before Andy Carroll's arrival at Upton Park, things weren't going to plan.

The gaffer expressed his frustration regarding his strikers' profligate nature, but he hasn't moaned at all since the Liverpool striker arrived on loan.

With Carroll the Iron saviour, where does this leave Carlton Cole? He's been pretty bad, so as long as Carroll stays fit, it seems the former Aston Villa loanee is bench warming.

Wigan Athletic: Jean Beausejour

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Wigan Athletic started the season with a loss to Chelsea, but they dominated that game and should have grabbed at least a point.

With Jean Beausejour, who was excellent last season, injured, Maynor Figueroa took up the left-wingback mantle and performed admirably.

With the Chilean international fit again, he's assumed his usual role, moving Figueroa inside. He's been less than effective opposite Emmerson Boyce, providing no element of control to the game.

Statistics via WhoScored?

With help from Max Towle, David Hendrick, Charlie Melman, Karl Matchett and Matt Cheetham

@stighefootball