Discussing relegation just six matches into the new Premier League season would usually be disregarded as nothing more than sensationalist gossip, but for Sheffield United, Burnley, and Luton Town it is becoming an almost factual conversation.
It would be an understatement to say the three promoted teams from the Championship last season have endured a difficult start in the English top flight. It’s been dreadful, dogged and hugely underwhelming even by their own supporters standards.
Each find themselves in a position where they have just one point from their opening matches and already seem destined for the drop, there is a two-point gap to safety and the situation looks bleak.
When looking for an explanation, there can be little doubt that the gulf in spending between the established clubs and the new additions has a huge impact, but there is also a case to be made by neither showing they belong among England’s elite.
Burnley have endured a torrid start on their return to the Premier League this season
Sheffield United already appear set for relegation after failing to win a match so far this season
Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton individually make up three of the worst eight starts in Premier League history. Damning but deserved and serious improvement is needed in the remaining months of the year or each could find their relegation all but confirmed by Christmas.
As a collective, the stats are equally as embarrassing with the three teams combining for a 16 game winless run, the second-worst since the Premier League was formed and only the 2004-05 season spanning even longer, 22 matches.
Derby’s dismal campaign 15-years ago where they were relegated with the worst points total in the top-flight, 11, is often banded around as a piece of relegation satire that some teams are occasionally threatened with breaking.
However, each of this season’s relegation contestants could all break that record if they continue on their current torrid trajectory. It’s no longer a joke, there is serious danger they will break that record.
Opinions are already labelling the trio as the worst promoted teams in Premier League history and it’s an unforgiving analysis of the Championship if this is the best of the bunch that were hoping to become top-flight regulars.
Sheffield have played six, drawn once, lost five and conceded 17 goals. An 8-0 demolition job by Newcastle last time out has heaped pressure on Paul Heckingbottom’s position as first-team manager.
The Blades have arguably already played some of the league’s top teams that many struggle to get a result against with clashes against Man City, Tottenham, and Newcastle already in the bank.
Uninspiring defeats against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest show they are off the Premier League pace, while a draw against an almost equally bad Everton doesn’t provide much reason for optimism.
Burnley came into the new season as second division champions. Vincent Kompany guided the Clarets back to the top of English football in his first season by some distance as they stormed to a 101 points total.
The Manchester City legend was heralded as another of the successful graduates from the school of Pep Guardiola who he previously worked under as a player and there was even talk over him taking over at Tottenham.
Vincent Kompany (right) is struggling during his first stint as a Premier League boss
Luton manager Rob Edwards has remained optimistic despite his side being without a league win and eliminated from the Carabao Cup
Burnley have since been brought down to earth with a vicious bump and four defeats, one draw and a goal difference of -9 makes for nightmare reading better associated with a horror story than the fairytale supporters expected.
Kompany believes results will come, stating after their recent defeat against Manchester United: ‘We signed 14 new players in the summer and when I saw the fixture list – Manchester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea in the first 10 games, I thought it would be a difficult start.
‘But when I look at the performance today I know results will come.
‘We had good pressure throughout the game, we were never exposed and we were solid defensively. It was a good performance and I hope it gives the players confidence.’
But, it’s difficult to see where those promised results will come from. Perhaps a visit to Luton’s Kenilworth Road in the final game before the upcoming international break will hand them a first victory.
Luton captain Tom Lockyer has struggled to guide his side to a first Premier League win
And so onto Luton. Their story of going from bust to brilliant is worthy of a Netflix drama, but there won’t be a cliffhanger of battling off relegation on the final day of the season. As things stands any such show would lose viewers midway through the season because everybody would be able to predict the final outcome. Relegation.
In earnest, Luton supporters probably came into the season expecting to be relegated. Rob Edwards did a terrific job of winning the Championship play-offs and is limited in how much he can spend on new players. There is a feeling of honesty at the club, but the way they are being outclassed in matches can’t be fun to watch for fans.
Luton snatched their first Premier League point in a 1-1 draw against Wolves at the weekend after coming from behind against the 10-men visitors. They should have picked up three and that summarises the difficulties they face in featuring in the toughest league in the world.
Other clubs who have starred in their debut year in the top division should give each confidence that they can turn things around.
Sheffield United previously enjoyed a sensational season when they were previously promoted to the Premier League under Chris Wilder four-years ago.
Derby’s 2008 relegation still holds the fewest points gained during a Premier League season (11)
Sheffield United look devoid of confidence after their recent 8-0 hammering by Newcastle
They took everybody by surprise and were even tipped as European contenders as one stage in the season before finishing ninth in the league standings on 54 points.
However, first season luck quickly worn off and they were relegated without putting up a fight in the following campaign.
No promoted team that has ever started a new Premier League season this badly has ever survived and neither Burnley, Sheffield United or Luton are doing much to change that.
The benefit is that they have plenty of time to turn things around, although the evidence so far suggests this could be one of the most sure-fire relegation seasons we have ever experienced.
