Premier League Week 7 Fixtures: Players Who Will Thrive in Tough Games

Week 7 of the Premier League throws up some difficult fixtures that will see the character of the players tested. That sort of pressured environment doesn't always bring out the best in people, but there are some players who use it to their advantage.

Three of those players are listed below, and will produce their best performances when the heat is on. 

Robbie Brady, Hull City Tigers

Nothing seems to faze Robbie Brady, which is very good news for Steve Bruce and his side. Whether it's a goal and an assist in the 3-2 victory at Newcastle, or firing the penalty that put away West Ham, Brady is always confident and composed.

Clive Hetherington at the Express stated that Brady is playing with a hernia, however, so he may soon require surgery.

Nevertheless, the fact that he's been able to summon such inspiring performances in spite of his pain is even more impressive.

Hull's fixture with Aston Villa will be a real fight, and Bruce will want Brady in the side. His combination of good awareness and confidence in front of goal is something all teams desire—not just ones hoping to avoid relegation.

If Brady takes the field, you can expect him to give everything he has.

David Marshall, Cardiff City

David Marshall returned from injury to face Tottenham Hotspur and was under pressure for large parts of that game. In the end, Cardiff were unfortunate to lose.

Only a 92nd-minute winner from Paulinho separated the teams at the final whistle, which was entirely due to Marshall's heroics.

The Scottish international denied Christian Eriksen, Paulinho, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Roberto Soldado and made himself almost impassible. He got a little help from the crossbar, too, but he deserved to keep a clean sheet, so it seemed cruel when his resistance finally came to an end.

Against Newcastle, he will be up against Hatem Ben Arfa, who seems the man most likely to make things happen for the Magpies right now.

With Papiss Cisse out of form, it will be Ben Arfa's mazy runs and Yohan Cabaye's free kicks that will cause Marshall problems. With the Spurs game giving him confidence, however, expect him to go one step further and keep a clean sheet for his team.

Luke Shaw, Southampton

Not content with producing the world's most expensive footballer in Gareth Bale, Southampton's academy also brought Luke Shaw into the public eye.

Although Bale initially struggled in his career as a defender, subsequently moving to midfield, Shaw seems set to occupy his left-back position for a very long time.

Already being touted by his teammates as the successor to Ashley Cole, Shaw possesses a similar level of pace and attacking instinct. His contribution against Chelsea last season was an excellent example of that, as he surged forward to deliver the cross for Jason Puncheon to score.

This season he has continued his fine performances as Southampton rose to fourth place, and a home clash with Swansea will see him show his quality once more. Swansea put in a solid display against Arsenal last week and threatened to take something from that game.

Nevertheless, the 18-year-old has been through bigger contests than this and always come out strong. Expect him to do so once more.