Premier League Table 2013 Week 3: Most Disappointing Clubs to Start Season

While the English Premier League has a long season, a number of top clubs are already in trouble due to terrible starts to the year.

As the schedule balances out in the coming months and better teams remain consistent, the table starts to resemble preseason expectations more often than not. It would be surprising if squads like Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal did not find themselves near the top of the league within a few weeks.

However, there are a few clubs who should already be concerned with their performances after just two or three matches. If things do not turn around soon, they can be in for a long year.

Here is a full look at the table as of Aug. 31, followed by a deeper look at the more disappointing teams so far.

Everton

While Everton might not have the following of some of the bigger clubs across England, they still had a strong season last year and finished in sixth place.

In fact, the club has slowly been improving over the past few seasons and have become consistent contenders for a top-four spot in the league.

Unfortunately, the club has been less than stellar in three matches, ending up with three draws. After a 2-2 match against Norwich City to start the year, the squad has two scoreless results against West Brom and Cardiff City.

The offense is struggling overall and are not finishing when the opportunities are there. With the schedule set to get even tougher in the coming weeks, it is hard to imagine things getting any better.

Obviously, getting any points in a match is better than nothing, and three points have the club well in contention to turn things around. However, Everton have to start getting wins and soon.

Swansea City

There are plenty of reasons for Swansea City to be encouraged heading into the year.

The defending Capital One Cup champions finished in ninth place last year in the league and have one of the top scorers in the league in Michu. Wilfried Bony also helps the squad have a lot of upside on the attack.

This offense has not been apparent in the squad's two losses to start the year. Obviously, it is never easy competing against Manchester United and Tottenham in back-to-back weeks, but there was a clear gap in talent in each match.

Swansea has yet to play their third match of the year and will travel to face West Brom on Sunday. The problem is that there is a lot of pressure to earn a win in this match. With Arsenal and Liverpool also on the schedule in September, things can get really bad in a hurry.

If the club is unable to take care of business, this promising season could get away from them before they have a chance at success.

Sunderland

After barely avoiding relegation last season, Sunderland did not come into the year with very high expectations. Still, a number of additions this summer hoped to bring them at least out of the bottom of the table.

Through three matches, it seems like this season will just be more of the same.

Not only do Sunderland have only one point in three games, the competition has been relatively weak. They gave up a late equalizer against Southampton in a match that was dominated by the opponent, and they followed that up with a 3-1 loss against newcomer Crystal Palace.

A red card in the 78th minute was the beginning of the end in this most recent defeat.

If things are going this poorly against squads expected to be near the bottom of the table, it is hard to imagine what will happen when Sunderland face clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea.

Simply remaining in the Premier League might end up being a surprising result at this point.

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