This Weekend's Premier League Talking Points - Part One

With only one fixture left of the first round of games of the new Premier League season, I thought I would have a look to see if the results of the teams I watched are an indication of what you can expect to see from them this season. Let’s start with Arsenal, shall we?

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Which league is the best? - the players & teams (Video)

Whilst the English Premier League is the self-proclaimed greatest league in the world, and attracts the most viewers from a worldwide audience, is it actually the best league regarding quality of players, teams and football played, or is it just that the increased media coverage makes people believe that it is the finest on offer? I decided to compare it with other European leagues by looking at the players and teams that ply their trade in each country.

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Should Chelsea be worried? Never go back? A closer look

Jose Mourinho's long-awaited return to Chelsea flies in the face of all logic - be it in football or in personal relationships, the general rule for life is never to go back to an ex. Mourinho's new four-year contract is an extraordinary commitment, one that many suspect will not last the duration, but the intention is clear - things will be different this time, they promise! Let's have a look at some managers that tried to re-create the old magic.

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Hughes and Stoke a match made in heaven?

Mark Hughes famously walked out on Fulham in 2011, claiming the Cottagers didn’t match his ambition. Six months later he wound up at QPR, a recently promoted club struggling to retain their Premier League status. Ironically, Stoke City, a club Tony Pulis struggled in vain to get into the top half of the table, could be a perfect fit for Hughes.

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Mark Hughes lines up first signing as Stoke manager

With images already appearing of banners demanding Mark Hughes out of Stoke City, before he was even appointed as manager, but if he changes their torrid ways of playing football then surely they can't detest the man. As long as he keeps them up, that is.

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A closer look at the monotony in Stoke

As Tony Pulis' tenure as Stoke boss came to an arguably foreseeable end, was it the flirting with relegation that did it or have the Potters fans become tired of their teams style of play?

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The grass may not be greener for Stoke City

Stoke’s former boss Tony Pulis will look back on this year with few fond memories. Expected to push on and finally challenge the top teams, his side instead regressed, flirting with relegation more suggestively than in previous seasons. He joins the long line of managers who built dynasties, before outstaying their welcome. Do Stoke risk joining the long line of clubs who assume the grass is greener, before being greeted by cold hard reality?

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The start of a career in management for James Beattie (video)

Former Premier League striker James Beattie has been appointed the full-time manager of League Two side Accrington Stanley. Beattie has made well over 300 Premiership appearances for Southampton, Everton, Sheffield United and Stoke. He has been at Accrington Stanley in a player coach role since November but with the departure of Leam Richardson the board felt Beattie would be able to take on the role full time.

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Croatia international at the heart of bids from two English clubs

Ivan Strinic is being tracked by numerous clubs around Europe according to his agent, but the Croatian has been had bids for him from Stoke and Sunderland.

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Begovic has NOT been sold...yet.

Tony Pulis has come out to the media and dismissed and speculation that Stoke ‘keeper Asmir Begovic, who is target of numerous clubs around the league and Europe, has not already been sold and no pre-contract has been signed with anyone. Surely it’s only a matter of time, though.

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Wigan win leaves the Premier League strugglers sweating

It could have been as good as done and dusted in regards to Premier League relegation, yet Wigan's win at West Brom on Saturday has left several clubs more than a little bit concerned about their Premiership status a status that for many had seemed all but assured only a few weeks ago.

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Where are they now? A look back at the original Football League

Back in 1888-89, the Football League was born, and so was the obsession that has fills many of our lives up to the present day. So in 2013, how are the 12 original member clubs doing?

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10 potential Cardiff City summer signings - Statistics and videos

With Cardiff City confirming their status as Championship winners they will now turn their attention to the summer transfer market and how they are going to strengthen for their Premier League adventure.

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Pulis and Stoke on autopilot?

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has this season been faced with a problem that has befallen such previously secure Premier League clubs as Birmingham, Charlton and Bolton – stagnation. Will next season bring fresh progress, or a further slide into trouble?

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Villa showing fight that could secure crucial survival

After his first season in the Premier League with Norwich, a very successful one by all accounts, I bet Paul Lambert thought that this Premier League managing business was a doodle.

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