Under-performing Premier League Team of the Season
Liverpool's Dejan Lovren reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at Old Trafford
As we near the half-way point of the season, here are eleven players who have serious room for improvement.
Goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, pictured, has been dropped by manager Brendan Rodgers
The Belgian goalkeeper would have made his 93rd consecutive Premier League appearance at Old Trafford last weekend, but Brendan Rodgers decided that it was time to give the out-of-sorts net-minder a rest.
Has struggled badly in a struggling side and will be warming the bench for an "indefinite period" according to his manager.
Defence
Rio Ferdinand, Dejan Lovren, Eliaquim Mangala, Kyle Naughton
Harry Redknapp signed Rio Ferdinand to bolster a defence that has been under pressure all season, but has struggled to impose himself at Loftus Road. Indeed the R's have arguably looked steadier when Richard Dunne has been chosen instead at the hear of the defence.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp has backed Rio Ferdinand, pictured, to make it as a manager
Dejan Lovren's problems since his Anfield move have been well documented, while Eliaquim Mangala has yet to show the form that resulted in Man City forking out almost €32m for his services in the summer.
Spurs full-back Kyle Naughton is expected to leave in the January transfer window with Kyle Walker returning to fitness. The 26 year-old has done little to convince boss Mauricio Pochettino this term with two red cards in just five league appearances.
Midfield
Lazar Markovic, Hatem Ben Arfa, Charles N'Zogbia
Similar to Marouane Fellaini for United last season, Lazar Markovic appears to be the club scapegoat for all that is wrong this season (along with Mario Balotelli) after his big money move to Anfield with little to show thus far.
Liverpool's Lazar Markovic and Aston Villa's Kieran Richardson during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool
Hatem Ben Arfa has done little to enhance his troublesome reputation at Hull City, where he is on-loan from Newcastle. Steve Bruce indicated at the weekend he didn't know where the French player was, while Hull some supporters have argued he has gone missing all too often this season on the pitch
Speaking of French players flattering to deceive, Charles N'Zogbia's career seems to be going nowhere fast. He was roundly criticised by home supporters after their derby defeat to West Brom last time out (he made just four forward passes in his 30 touches of the ball, along with a solitary tackle). Rather surprisingly has only missed only three games for the Midlands club this season despite indifferent performances.
Charles N'Zogbia sustained an injury during his holiday to Miami
Attack
Mario Balotelli, Roberto Soldado, Shane Long
It was hoped £16m Mario Balotelli would cushion the blow of the departure of Luis Suarez, but he has been badly out of sorts in front of goal. And that is just when fit.
Roberto Soldado too knows the plight of struggling forward as the Spaniard has bagged just four goals in 19 appearances for Spurs this term. Only one of those strikes has come in the Premier League,and there are few signs that things will improve.
Beginning the season at Hull, Shane Long moved to Southampton for a hefty fee and struggled to break into a team that was blazing a Premier League trail as Graziano Pellè led the line up front.
Shane Long's, left, double strike proved enough for Southampton against Leicester
Unfortunately for the Irish international, many of his opportunities to impress have come out wide and when chances have presented themselves, he has not been as clinical as he would have liked. The Man United game a case in point.
A brace against Leicester followed on from his first Saints goal against Stoke in October, but will hope Ronald Koeman allows him the chances to show his wares in a more central attacking role as the season unfolds.
