Premier League: Worst 11 of the Week

With man of the match awards and the EA SPORTS Index, we know who the best players during Matchday 1 were, but do we know who were the worst? 

The players who were anonymous, who let their team down, whose antics became news, let's find out whose those players were.

Here is the Premier League Worst 11 of the Week.   

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

Performance grade: C

Has anyone talked about the fantastic save David De Gea made denying Paul Scharner? 

No, we're all talking about De Gea's Massimo Taibi-esq moment when he somehow let in Shane Long's innocuous looking shot—fantasy managers who had Long would have been laughing their heads off. 

It's two games in a row where De Gea's competency has been rightfully questioned.

According to OptaJose, last season he conceded 11 goals from outside the box, the most by any La Liga goalkeeper.

That's a worry.  

Defender: Marc Wilson

Performance grade: F

It's been tough for Marc Wilson, as he can't break into the Stoke first team as a defensive midfielder. 

Last season, he played several games as a right back without much assurance and against Chelsea, he was deployed as a left back. 

He was left for dead time after time by the road running José Bosingwa and to compound Wilson's misery, he struggled against Salomon Kalou, who himself struggled with match fitness.

Also, Wilson was fortunate not to concede a penalty when he clearly tripped up Frank Lampard.

Wilson's performance won't be talked about because it was covered up by teammate Asmir Begović who had a terrific game between the posts.   

Defender: John Flanagan

Performance grade: D

The Liverpool youngster was out of his depth and made Sebastian Larsson look like a FIFA Ballon d'Or winner. 

What's surprising about this performance was John Flanagan took his chances last season and played with a hunger and determination that said pick me. 

Those traits were not on show during the weekend and if he continues to play like this, he'll be on his way out of Anfield.   

Defender: Clint Hill

Performance grade: F

Earlier in the week, Paul Warburton at the Fulham Chronicle reported Clint Hill saying, "Throughout my career, I've played against better players and made them look fools, and I'm ready to do it again."

Chris Eagles made Hill look like a fool and then Hill ensured there was no doubt he was a fool after he got himself stupidly sent off by headbutting Martin Petrov. 

Mind you, Petrov's reaction does make you wonder if footballers take acting classes—very convincing. 

Hill is a fool because his team was losing 4-0, referee Martin Atkinson was about to blow for full time and instead of making his opponents look like fools, Hill will now sit out three games. 

Defender: Ritchie De Laet

Performance grade: C

Ritchie De Laet's twin blocks to deny Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega late in the game was redemption for what happened earlier. 

De Laet was caught napping in possession and had it stolen from Franco di Santo who was then brought down by De Laet.  

It was lackadaisical defending to allow di Santo possession, and it was a rash decision to bring di Santo down.

The Argentinian wasn't headed towards goal. 

With the presence of former Liverpool centre back Daniel Ayala set to grace the Canaries, De Laet will need to watch his back.  

Midfielder: Nani

Performance grade: C

Nani should have had a brace but wasted both opportunities and didn't show enough urgency or desire to dominate the game. 

Whereas his teammate Ashley Young imposed himself on the game and was the reason why Manchester United came out the Hawthorns with three invaluable points.   

Midfielder: Andrei Arshavin

Performance grade: D

Adithya Ananth at goal.com reported Andrei Arshavin discussing how Arsenal lacked speed and sharpness against Newcastle United.

One of those culprits was the Russian himself. 

With the departure of Cesc Fàbregas and the inevitable departure of Samir Nasri, Arsenal will need Arshavin to rediscover his form. 

Midfielder: Joey Barton

Performance grade: C

What a hypocrite.

Incensed that Gervinho had dived, Joey Barton had his hands all over the Ivorian who then foolishly slapped Barton. 

You would have thought Barton would have retaliated "in defence," instead he collapsed to the floor like a "pussy," the very same word he used to describe Ousmane Dabo.  

Gervinho who was Arsenal's most threatening and direct player in the game was sent off and some would call it smart play from Barton.

Rather then retaliate and land himself in jail, as he could have done to Alex Song, Barton decided to roll around in agony in accordance to Sergio Busquets' manual of how to cheat.   

Aside from that, Barton minimised the influence of Tomáš Rosický.   

Forward: Demba Ba

Performance grade: D

Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi, talk about a partnership which won't bear many goals.

One of the two has to play, the other has to be left on the bench, you can't have both of them playing.

Ba, the better forward, should be playing with a partner that will be able to create and be able to beat defenders off the dribble, thus drawing defenders to him, giving Ba something to operate with.

Ameobi doesn't provide this, nor does he provide consistent goals to warrant a position in the starting 11.

As a result, Ba had a pretty anonymous game against Arsenal. 

Forward: Stephen Dobbie

Performance grade: F

Playing in a 4-2-3-1 as the most advanced midfielder, and in a way, a quasi-forward, Stephen Dobbie had no influence whatsoever in the most pivotal position of the formation.

It wasn't a case of him being anonymous, Swansea's attacks broke down because of him. 

Whilst his teammate Michel Vorm was making save after save, Swansea couldn't string an attack together as Dobbie failed to cope with the presence of Nigel De Jong.

Rightfully, Dobbie was substituted out of the game in the 65th minute.  

Forward: Darren Bent

Performance Grade: D

Neil Moxley at the Daily Mail reported Darren Bent stating the loss of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing would mean Aston Villa suffered.

Perhaps that negative attitude seeped into his performance over the weekend, as Bent cut a isolated and frustrated figure.  

Charles N'Zogbia can be forgiven for not putting on the Superman cape he donned on a regular basis for Wigan, but Bent will be expecting more from the Frenchmen as the season progresses.

Shay Given's heroics ensured some form of joy for Bent, who'll be hoping to have a good season. 

Please read Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona: El Clásico Player Ratings