Alexandre on Song

It would be wrong to suggest that when West Ham announced the loan signing of Alexandre Song from Barcelona that a few eyebrows were not raised. Many were questioning how manager Sam Allardyce could manage to pull off such a deal and if he was still Premier League standard having spent a large part of his Barcelona experience on the bench. Others were curious about whether or not such a loan would damage the club's financial infrastructure with the Hammers paying a percentage of his £75,000 a week wage.

However, the Cameroon international's performances so far this season have turned all sceptics into believers. West Ham currently sit in 4th position in the Premier League and it is Song who has been at the corner stone of that success. Although it is often the likes of Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho grabbing the headlines, it is Song who is dictating the play in the middle of the park.

Yet to register a assist or a goal, the majority of West Ham's play seems to flow through the former Arsenal midfielder. Strong, combative and with a stocky build suited to a defensive midfielder, Song is every bit as good going forward as he is tracking back. Despite coming through the Bastia youth ranks as a defensive midfielder, Song's game evolved under Arsene Wenger into a more rounded midfielder, with former Cameroon coach Javier Clemente stating: "He is a much better player in attack than he is defensively."  

Song has been one of many in form West Ham players

It was in his and Robin Van Persie's final season at the Emirates that the two created a incredible understanding, with Song finishing the season on 11 assists and earning a transfer to Barcelona. One observation of that notable personal season Song had, going forward meant he would sometimes forget his defensive duties. Although his time at the Nou Camp did not quite work out, Song has come back just as strong it seems and by the looks of things, West Ham have pulled off a real coup getting him in on loan.

The project Allardyce has in mind is something that Song himself admitted tempted him into turning down the likes of Napoli and Galatasary. Song said upon arrival: “West Ham is looking to be a very, very big club in the future. The club has a great project and it is a very big project with very big ambition. I think it’s great for the fans that the club wants to be one of the biggest in England. That’s why I chose to come here." 

If Allardyce can work the same sort of magic he used to lure Song to Upton Park in the first place to secure a permanent transfer, then the club will seriously be making a statement about their future intent. Signing a talent such as Song's will speak volumes for the club and with the clever business they have completed over the summer, could be in contention for a Europa League spot. Song does have his weaknesses, having demonstrated poor discipline at the World Cup as he elbowed an opposition player and saw red and can sometimes forget his defensive duties if he is played in a more attacking central midfield role.  

A rare and tranquil photo of Allardyce 

However, with the way Song has played so far, other big clubs may become interested for a player that is more than likely to leave Barcelona at the end of his loan spell. It is no secret that Arsenal are lacking a strong and combative central midfielder and a return to the Emirates would be more than appealing for Song. Signing the midfielder would be exactly what the Gunners so desperately need and fans cry out for.   

Even if Song being a West Ham player is for just the one season, West Ham fans still have a lot to look forward to under Allardyce who seems to finally have cracked the winning formula in his side following a difficult start to his reign. West Ham are on song for a exciting season, if you will pardon the pun...

No Big Mac for Gignac

“Un Big Mac, pour Gignac" - a chant that would so often echo from rival fans of Marseille to taunt the heavy set Andre Pierre Gignac. Translated as "a Big Mac for Gignac," the penny seems to have finally dropped for the Frenchman, who has silenced those who mocked him with his red hot form this season. Nine goals in as many games is nothing to be sniffed at, so much so has seen him earn a recall back to the French national side after  a 4 year absence from the starting line up.  

So what has sparked such form from a striker that would be described as a 13 goal-a-season striker based on previous seasons? Many suggest it is the work of the "Bielsa effect." Marcelo Bielsa's appointment as manager has seen him implement a strict regime that has inspired Gignac to be the best that he can be. Gignac looks in good shape this year too, a player who has previously battled problems with his weight.  

Gignac has been lethal this season

Bielsa's attack minded approach also favours not only the striker's type of play, but also utilises the whole team in the best way possible. Marseille currently sit top of the table, with Bielsa's modern 4-2-3-1 formation meaning Gignac plays in his favoured role as the lone striker, who acts as a target man and poacher in the box. Bielsa is a strict in his management, and is rumoured to never laugh at times of work and despite there being a mismatch in character between Bielsa and the self confessed joker Gignac, so far evidence suggests it is a match made in heaven. 

The team looks for Gignac to hold the ball up, drawing the creative likes of Dimitri Payet, Florian Thauvin and Andre Ayew into the game, who themselves have also been impressive this season. The creativity between these three means Gignac will get the service he requires to score and he has done just that.  

Gignac's weight has been a focus point in French media

His recall to the national team is a testimony to how well he has played under Bielsa and even capped off his return to the national side with a goal from the spot against Armenia. If Gignac continues his goal scoring streak in his native France it may not be long before other clubs start to consider Gignac who was once reported to be a Tottenham target.  

Marseille's form this year has been nothing short of spectacular and at the fore front of the early success is Gignac. It seems Ligue 1 may have a new title contender following the rejuvenation that has gone on under Bielsa. However, it is still early days in the campaign and if Marseille are to overthrow rivals PSG for the domestic crown, Gignac will need to carry on his exploits. Looks like Gignac will be sticking to the salads for sometime! 

Not so super Mario

Amidst Liverpool's summer spending, there is no doubt that the signing that grabbed the most attention was the £16m paid to AC Milan for the notorious Mario Balotelli. His second spell in England,  manager Brendan Rogers admits that signing Balotelli is a "calculated risk,"  with his on and off the field behavioural problems. There is no arguing that the Italian does have the potential to be a world class but, many have grown frustrated with how Balotelli has squandered his talent in recent years.

It's early days in his Liverpool career however, Mario Balotelli has not impressed. He seems to be lethargic in his style of play like he was at AC Milan and with only one goal for his efforts this season, many are concerned that Balotelli is still not doing enough. In the goal department, he is one for the trying with 63 shots in his last 20 Premier League games and scoring just the 1 goal.

So what is the reason that is preventing Balotelli from performing like many know he can? At AC Milan, Balotelli's form was up and down throughout the whole season, sometimes being the game changer but, more often than not, was being carried by his team mates. He would often go missing in games and when he wasen't performing it showed. If things weren't going Mario's way, he would stroll around the pitch in what can only be described as a petulant child's strop.

Down on his his luck, Balotelli needs to score more

It would be frustrating for fans to see, as they knew that Balotelli was a player that could be in the world class bracket if he got his head down and worked hard although "Super Mario" didn't seem interested. In what can only be described as a horror season for AC Milan, many doubt that Balotelli was fully committed  to his boyhood club.

Dropped by new manager Antonio Conte for a second time from the Italian national side, Balotelli is now well and truly fighting for his spot as the main striker with the preferred Simone Zaza, the in form Graziano Pelle and former Torino man Ciro Immobile all selected ahead of Balotelli. Many hope that Conte's omission of Balotelli will be the kick up the backside he needs to start performing at his best.

Liverpool fans have every right to expect more from the 24 year old. Hopefully, Balotelli will begin to produce his best once he feels fully gelled into the side, who have brought a number of new faces over the summer that will need time to build up a rapport with one another. Liverpool, like Balotelli, have also been disappointing in the early days of the campaign.

A notorious figure, Balotelli will need to behave 

Roberto Mancini, a man who has twice worked with him at Inter Milan and Manchester City, says that this is his last chance. "Mario is a good guy, but he is aware that Liverpool is probably his final opportunity to prove what he can do on the pitch. It's his last chance." 

Balotelli is definitely a gamble at £16m but, if he can get his head down and produces his best, that fee will look like an absolute coup. If Mancini is right and this is the last chance saloon for Balotelli, then he has certainly picked a club where it is make or break in Liverpool. As ever, all eyes will be on the Italian. Is "Super Mario" really that super? Time to find out... 

"Rock bottom" Borussia

Just 7 games in, it may be a little premature to think things won't change but, the poor early season form of Borussia Dortmund may have already cost them mounting a serious title challenge. Jurgen Klopp's side have just 7 points from 7 games and are already 10 points behind title rivals Bayern Munich. Such a start has been described by Jurgen Klopp as "rock bottom."

Bayern Munich are currently sitting streaks ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and may prove to hard to catch up should they continue the form they are in. Yet to lose, Guardiola's men have only dropped points twice with two draws in their opening 7 games. A 10 point gap at this point in the season have many suggesting Dortmund could be playing catch up all season. Munich only lost twice last year and drew three times, a statistic that proves they don't often drop points.

Dortmund have looked poor this year, unable to get a steady form of wins and have lost 4 times including a lose this weekend to then bottom of the table Hamburg, a team who many expect will be fighting for Bundesliga survival. Although impressive in Europe having overcome challenges such as Anderlecht and Arsenal, Dortmund may be suffering from a European hangover as they have been a polar opposite in their domestic league.

Dortmund have looked poor this year under Klopp

Jurgen Klopp recognised the dire form that Borussia are in and wants the side the forget about their early form as the season starts now.  "We've now got to accept all the criticism that comes our way, even the unjustified stuff. Today is October 4 and this is rock bottom, and the starting point for the remainder of the season." 

Dortmund's new signings are still finding their feet at the club whereas Shinji Kagawa has instantly recaptured the form he once had after a poor spell at Manchester United and looks as if he never had left. Bayern Munich's latest additions on the other hand have settled in nicely, with Xabi Alonso in particular looking like a absolute coup for the fee they paid for him.

The talented Ciro Immobile is yet to fully settle in the side and produce the displays many know he is capable of and the side seem to be missing the presence of their former star striker Robert Lewandowski, now of Bayern Munich.The side have been unfortunate with injuries in the early days of the campaign and will be welcoming back the missed likes of Marco Reus, Nuri Sahin and Ilkay Gundogan.  

The Italian striker Ciro Immobile is the man tasked with
replacing the departed Robert Lewandowski

Borussia Dortmund don't look strong as they were last season going forward, something Klopp himself has recognised and labelled as: "looking uncomfortable going forward." They have been unable to produce the high tempo and fluid attacking football they have displayed in their European outings.

Borussia Dortmund desperately need to correct their form if they are to catch up to Bayern Munich and challenge the dominance the Bavarians have had in the Bundesliga these past couple of seasons. The fans of Dortmund will be looking to Klopp to remedy the situation but, grow impatient with poor results and recently voiced their disapproval at the end of the whistle. A very weak start for Borussia Dortmund, could a title challenge already be over?

Managers that could be gone before Christmas

The manager merry-go-round is constantly spinning and with expectant modern day club owners becoming increasingly comfortable giving the chop to a manager it is only a matter of time before European football witnesses a high profile manager getting the sack. So who could be first to go?

A section of fans wanted Alan Pardew out before the end of last season as Newcastle went through a poor run of form for sometime but, owner Mike Ashley had faith in the former Charlton manager. It seems his faith may have been misplaced as now the majority of Newcastle fans want Pardew out and have gone to great lengths to get their message across.

Internet campaigns, rallies and even printing "Pardew Out" fliers and banners and publicly displaying them at St James' mean Newcastle fans have delivered their verdict on the matter. However, the decision lies with the Sports Direct tycoon Ashley who seems to be growing impatient with results. Newcastle currently lie 19th in the league and have yet to win a game in this campaign. Newcastle have strengthened this summer with their usual French league preference by signing players like Remi Cabella and Emmanuel Riviere but still cant seem to chalk a win up on the board.  

"Give me this much time, I will turn it around!"

The Magpies are underachieving with the squad they have and really should not be in the relegation zone. If Ashley does not address the problem soon then Newcastle could find themselves in a situation where they have to fight for Premier League survival if results continue as they are. Ashley wants to give Pardew time to change things around however, how long is it before he has been given too much time?  

The Napoli revolution in the summer of 2013 saw the club be one of the biggest spenders in Europe bringing in high profile names like Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens to name a few. £64 million spent, mostly generated from the sale of sought after stars Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi, lead by the experienced Rafa Benitez many thought Napoli could over throw the domination Juventus had in Serie A and saw their activity as a statement of intent. 

The club haven't quite matched the spending they did last year despite bringing in a few new faces however, have not started well. Although still early in the Serie A season, Napoli sit in 8th with two wins from five games, hardly the form the side need to challenge for Serie A silverware. One major criticism of Napoli under Benitez is their inconsistent form, being able to challenge the best but struggle to overcome weaker oppositions and critics suggest that Napoli won't win a Serie A title with Benitez because of this.  

Benitez did win the Coppa Italia last year with Napoli

The former Liverpool and Chelsea manager has had to address the media about a possible sacking after his side were held to a 3-3 draw to a uninspiring Palermo. The Spaniard said: "Do I feel at risk? No. I haven't spoken to the president, but I don't need to talk to him every five minutes to ask if I'm at risk or not at risk." Benitez seems relaxed abut his job in the Naples but if he does not get the side playing with a positive steady form he could get packing his backs for the second time in Italy.  

Ask any manager and they will tell you winning back to back titles is one of the hardest things to do in football, even if you are manager of a super rich power like PSG. Laurent Blanc faces that challenge with Paris based side but, the side have not started the season like a championship winning team. In a league that is considered weak in comparison to the squad PSG have and the financial backing, pressure is always high for Blanc to deliver and so far this season, he has not. 

PSG currently sit in 4th place with 8 games played and are 5 points off of league leaders Marsielle, a team that could be PSG's new found title rivals following Monaco's demise who have been reinvigorated under the impressive Marco Biesla. The side have not lost yet however, have only won 3 times and drawn 5 and Blanc is beginning to feel the pressure. PSG have looked uninspiring in their play this year and star players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic look unmotivated and lacklustre. 

A high pressure job with much expectation

Following a questionable summer transfer window, where the club opted to spend £40m on David Luiz after he performed poorly in the world cup, the price tag being a large sum of their transfer budget as they struggle to stay in financial fair play regulations, meant they missed out on other targets like Angel Di Maria. The 3-2 win against Barcleona may prove crucial to the Frenchman in keeping his job as they side have already drawn to Ajax. If the side were to go out the Champions League in the group stages it would be considered a disaster. Laurent Blanc's every move will be under much scrutiny in France. 

To predict the future in today's modern game is impossible, with managers coming and going more than ever. However, based on the early signs this season, these three gaffers could be in hot water should their early form fail to pick up. Who will be first to go this year then? 

The new and improved Neymar

There is no doubt that Neymar has unquestionable quality but, like every star, he has his critics. Some say he needs to do more for Barcelona, to score more, to stop getting caught on the ball as much, to be more direct. Do these critics have a leg to stand on? Well, even the greats can improve on their game and Neymar is no different. The world cup star has shown he has corrected his earlier weaknesses so far this year and could be on course for a big personal campaign. So what is different this year?

Goals, goals, goals. The 22 year old scored 15 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions under the under whelming Gerard Martino. Although a respectable figure, fans were expecting more in the goal department with the expensive transfer fee and world wide hype that came with the Brazilian. If Neymar can get himself on the score sheet more, fans will soon forgive him for what was a okay debut season.

Neymar will look to build on his debut campaign

Neymar has already done this, having scored 8 goals already for Barcelona in just 8 La Liga appearances including hitting a hatrick the other weekend against Granada. Whether it has been the change in management or Neymar carrying on the blistering form he had at world cup before he was injured that has made him more clinical in front of goal is unclear but, it is certainly exciting to see.  

Any football fan will tell you that the football played in South America is certainly different to that played in Europe. The football in Spain is far more physical than Brazil and Neymar certainly found that out last season. He was often brushed off the ball far to easily and found himself on the end of some heavy challenges, something his frail stature couldn't always handle.

Neymar's weight at Barcelona is a hot topic. It was rumoured that when Neymar arrived at the Nou Camp he weighed just 8 stone. Sure, his lightweight frame makes him quick and is vital to his style of play but does need to be stronger if he is to compete in Europe. He has put on weight since the Barcelona medical staff raised concerns over his body frame and compared to the Neymar that represented Santos, he is physically stronger.

"We're getting better together" - Neymar on Messi

An opening season for any player is difficult at a new club, especially when you are arriving in a different continent let alone country. Players adapt to a new club at different rates but often enough it takes a season or so for a player to feel comfortable at a new club, become fully gelled into the footballing family and create a understanding with players. Neymar has already spoken of his developed understanding with Barcelona golden boy Lionel Messi this season and it shows on the pitch. Messi has assisted Neymar a number of times this season already and it is this duo that are the reason Barcelona have started so strong.

Neymar has come back to Barcelona this season stronger, clinical and fully in tune with his Barcelona team mates. Neymar and Messi have been two of the stand out stars of the early campaign and with Luis Suarez still yet to be added to the mix. It will be interesting to see if Suarez immediately adapts to the possession football that is played in Spain rather than the high tempo football in England and could need a year to give his best like Neymar seems to have done. It seems Neymar could have a huge season at the Nou Camp this year...

A nation's central midfield question

For as long as fans can remember, the central midfield role has been occupied by the duo of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, although a match made in heaven in theory with their playing styles complimenting one another, the two never truly clicked and delivered the quality fans expected.With England crashing out of the world cup disappointingly in the group stages, both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have decided to hang up their international boots. Their retirements have left Roy Hodgson with a huge gap to fill in the centre of midfield and despite the England manager's preference for youth, there seems to be few candidates that have the ability to step up.

One thing the world cup highlighted was that England, despite the expectation fans have, are miles behind the world's strongest nations such as recent winners Germany in terms of ability. There are a number of theories to why this maybe but, right now the nation faces a real challenge to promote players to the first team that will improve on the previous batch. 

Hodgson has a preference for the modern day 4-2-3-1 formation, with two central midfielders sitting in and supplying the creative three in front of them. No doubt that the retirements of Lampard and Gerrard will mean that Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere will be seriously considered as Hodgson's first choice central midfielders. Ross Barkley will also benefit and is likely to get more game time also but after those three, who else do England really have?  

A huge gap left by two of England's finest players

In the recent European qualifiers, Fabian Delph was handed his international debut and did the job Hodgson was looking for but, hardly wowed fans. "The ginger Pirlo" as Hodgson has labelled him but more commonly known as Jack Colback of Newcastle was also called up to the squad however, injury robbed him of making his international debut. England fans met this call up with hesitance and were left scratching their heads at such a generous comparison. Although, both Delph and Colback still have youth on their side as both are just 24 years of age and can both grow as players. Promoting them to the international first team as back up to begin with could see them both benefit. If Hodgson is handing players international debuts a player hugely under rated is Mark Noble of West Ham. 

Hodgson also has the option to tinker. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, although some will rightly argue that his talents make him far more potent as a attacking player, has shown he can impress in midfield as Arsene Wenger has previously experimented with him in a central role. True, playing Chamberlain in central midfield makes England vulnerable defensively but, Hodgson may have to consider playing him in a deeper role. Ross Barkley can also fill in as a player in central midfield but like Chamberlain, is far more suited to a more attacking role in the side.    

A seriously under rated player that could make his way into the squad

Promoting youth to the English first team and replacing the old guard that exists in the current England side is one of Hodgson's main objectives as England boss. Some may argue it is too soon but, Jay Ward-Prowse of Southampton is one of the brightest midfield talents England have at their disposal. Clever on the ball and gifted with technical ability, Ward-Prowse maybe promoted to the first team in the next round of fixtures and with the way he has developed in the last few years England could have a gem on their hands. Other talents that could one day feature include Nathaniel Chalobah, Nick Powell or even the forgotten talents of Josh Mceachran.  

The players that will feature in next European Championship is anyone's guess but, Hodgson has a real task on his hands to replace the experience that Lampard and Gerrard both brought to the side. Youth will get their chance to prove themselves too, meaning England fans do have reasons to get excited however, the side is some way off winning a international trophy. The Euro qualifiers and friendlies will be the best indicator to who will get the nod from Hodgson to fill in the middle of the park so pay close attention...