Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action - TWO

6) Watford still lack an attacking edge

Watford’s start to the season has to be filed under encouraging but one goal from their first four home games is a fairly accurate reflection of a side that flourishes in the greater spaces they sometimes find on their travels but is too easily frustrated at home. In particular, José Manuel Jurado has done little so far to suggest that he offers more than impressive close control and a variety of clever flicks and touches in peripheral areas – though against Crystal Palace he did hit the woodwork with a nicely lofted free-kick. Their other wide midfielder, Almen Abdi, played reasonably well, but whoever occupies these key positions must offer more of an attacking edge. There are alternatives of sorts – the Dutch winger Steven Berghuis is a work in progress but played for half an hour, hitting one notably dismal set piece that barely got off the ground, while the Colombian forward Victor Ibarbo made a vaguely promising cameo. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, showed the benefit of direct running, pacy widemen, with Yannick Bolasie giving Allan Nyom a hugely uncomfortable first half and Bakary Sako and second-half substitute Wilfried Zaha, who won the decisive penalty, also contributing. Watford would have no threat down the flanks whatsoever were it not for Ikechi Anya’s bursts from left-back, and though as a team they have had more success away from home those floating wide midfielders are yet to contribute an assist at any venue. Whether this is an issue with individuals or with the system, it is one that Quique Sánchez Flores needs to sort out. Simon Burnton

7) Mitrovic and Pérez pairing gives Newcastle hope

Fresh from flattening expectations that they would receive a drubbing at the hands of Chelsea, Newcastle United now go to Manchester City with hope rekindled. Having lost at home to Watford and Sheffield Wednesday in their previous two games, Newcastle improved dramatically to draw 2-2 with Chelsea. It was a performance that José Mourinho said was “typical of a team that wins nothing” because it proves Newcastle’s players are unreliable. Steve McClaren was not insulted by this. He agrees: “I will be levelling the same [accusation] at the players. Heis exactly right. We did it at Old Trafford, against Arsenal and now Chelsea. Now, come on. It is Man City next, so come on. This is a tough league. You have to do it every week.” Because of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s three-match suspension, and because Ayoze Pérez has been superseded by summer recruits, the pair had only started one game together before the Chelsea match. That wasthe 0-0 draw at Manchester United. Against Chelsea both were effective and, along with Georginio Wijnaldum, took the game to the champions. Their positivity spread throughout the team and the stadium. “We have not had Mitrovic for three games and we need that,” McClaren said. “The way we want to play, he is such an important part of it. If you do not have that presence and that ability, Pérez does not have the freedom to play like he does.” Michael Walker

8) Jerome’s lack of form a worry for Norwich

Striker

Cameron Jerome

Appearances

7

Goals

1

Shots

14

Shots on target

29%

Offsides

4

Cameron Jerome’s inability to convert clear opportunities in both halves at Upton Park – hitting the side netting when through on goal in the first period before being denied from 10 yards by Adrián’s face at 1-1 in the second – appears to be of at least slight concern for Alex Neil considering the way he growled when asked about the 29-year-old’s form. The Norwich manager’s first-choice striker has found the net only once this season, in the win over Bournemouth, but is preaching patience. “The biggest thing for strikers as far as I’m concerned is they are getting chances. If they are not getting chances then it’s a worry,” Neil said. “He had a good chance, it was unfortunate he missed it but hopefully he gets the next one.” Jerome’s link-up play has been very good but a striker finding the net is crucial to their hopes of remaining in the Premier League. If he does not find his range soon, then an unlikely recall for Lewis Grabban might be on the cards. Alan Smith

9) Van Dijk an excellent addition to Southampton’s defence

Southampton’s crest should include a salamander. The reptile famed for its ability to regenerate lost limbs would be a fitting emblem for a club that continues to find excellent replacements for departed stalwarts. Virgil van Dijk is emerging as yet another shrewd addition. The £11.5m recruit from Celtic – from whom Southampton have a good purchase history, having previously bought Fraser Foster and Victor Wanyama – looks like a bargain and not just in comparison to the £20m that Liverpool paid Saints for Dejan Lovren last year. Ronald Koeman said Van Dijk put in “a perfect performance” during the 0-0 draw on his debut at West Bromwich Albion two weeks ago but that description could not have been exact – because the 24-year-old’s performance against Swansea City was even better. Not only did he bring a serene solidity to defence, he also built well from the back and was sharp at the other end, opening the scoring with a fine header from a corner and coming close to another goal with a well-struck free-kick in the second half. With Van Dijk alongside José Fonte, and Ryan Bertrand making an excellent return from injury, Southampton’s defence is regaining its strength.Paul Doyle

10) Bournemouth need Murray’s nous

What wretched luck for Callum Wilson. On the day when he spoke about how he overcame the injuries that blighted him during his teenage years, Bournemouth’s top scorer was hurt in a collision with Stoke City’s Philipp Wollscheid and although he tried to carry on, Wilson collapsed in agony moments later and was taken off on a stretcher. Eddie Howe’s side lost a tight game without him and it will be a huge blow to Bournemouth’s hopes of staying up if Wilson is ruled out for a long time, especially with Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings already out with serious knee injuries. Wilson has scored five goals this season, including a hat-trick in the win over West Ham, and his speed, movement, quick thinking and sharpness in the box has given their attack a cutting edge. Can Joshua King, another fast forward, step up in Wilson’s absence? The early signs are that the former Blackburn Rovers striker is not quite polished enough at this level but Bournemouth do not need to panic yet. Glenn Murray, another striker who knows what it is like to be cut down by a knee injury at an inopportune moment, is waiting in the wings and although he is a different kind of player to Wilson, his wily, grizzled forward play could prove to be an asset for Bournemouth. He knows what is required in the Premier League, having scored seven goals in 12 matches at the end of last season for Crystal Palace, and he could ensure that Bournemouth will not feel the loss of Wilson too keenly. Jacob Steinberg