The players who let their sides down this weekend.
The fourth round of fixtures in the Premier League is now done and dusted, apart from the Monday night fixture between West Ham United and Hull City, with Chelsea continuing their charge at the top of the league and Manchester United finally kicking their season off with a rout of QPR.
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It wasn’t all smiles, however, with the likes of QPR, Newcastle United and Liverpool putting in abject displays in their respective defeats. This is the least impressive XI of the weekend:
GK) Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion)
The England international had a nightmare for Everton’s crucial second goal at the Hawthorns, allowing a tame shot from Kevin Mirallas to squeeze underneath him and into the net – although he did redeem himself somewhat with a fine late save.
RB) Mauricio Isla (Queens Park Rangers)
The QPR new boy was absolutely torn apart down United’s left, with both Angel di Maria and Marcos Rojo going to town on the Juventus loanee who seemed to be a long way out of his depth.
CB) Mike Williamson (Newcastle United)
Newcastle United centre back Mike Williamson had a torrid afternoon as his side were thrashed at Southampton – he was worryingly hesitant, something underlined by the mix-up with Tim Krul that allowed in Jack Cork for the third goal.
CB) Rio Ferdinand (Queens Park Rangers)
It was a nightmare return to Old Trafford for former United captain Rio Ferdinand, who was given a pasting by his former teammates as both he and Steven Caulker failed to stem the United onslaught.
LB) Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool)
Shoehorned into this team at left back, Mamadou Sakho had a terrible afternoon for Liverpool playing alongside the equally shaky Dejan Lovren in the centre, with the Frenchman’s use of the ball being particularly poor.
RM) Matt Phillips (Queens Park Rangers)
In truth, the Rangers winger simply doesn’t look to be Premier League quality and toiled all afternoon, offering no support to his full back and spurning his side’s best chance after a rush of blood to the head from David de Gea.
CM) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has looked to be off the pace for the opening rounds of this season and he was again here, with the Reds looking to him for inspiration as they struggled to break down Villa but Gerrard offering little more than wayward long range passes.
CM) Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
Was hooked at half time by Alan Pardew and deservedly so, the former Ajax man has never really settled at St. James’ Park and was absolutely dreadful here.
LM) Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion)
A poor afternoon from the West Brom captain was made even worse when he was jeered by his own supporters after being dragged off by Alan Irvine, with unrest starting to bubble at the Hawthorns.
ACM) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Patient is starting to wear thin with Arsenal’s record signing Mesut Ozil, who was again largely anonymous in his side’s draw with Manchester City. Kept quiet by Pablo Zabaleta, Ozil is yet to justify his massive transfer fee at the Emirates Stadium.
SC) Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
A shock selection from a team who won 4-0, perhaps, but this was van Persie’s chance to show that he deserves to keep his place ahead of Radamel Falcao and the Dutchman largely blew it. Very quiet, van Persie’s touch let him down one more than one occasion and he will surely be the man to make way for the new boy.