After a few seasons of struggle, hurt and agonising pain of the play-offs, newly installed manager Stuart Pearce has inherited a team that is as strong as ever at Nottingham Forest.

In the past three Championship seasons, the two teams occupying the automatic promotion spots by the second international break have gone on up to win promotion to the promised land come the end of the campaign. Nottingham Forest currently sit pretty in second.

After the heart break of crashing out of the play-off semi-finals on a number of occasions, former Manchester City and England Under-21 gaffer Pearce is well on course to guiding Nottingham Forest back to the holy grail of Premier League football.

Despite losing young talents Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow to Newcastle United – although they have returned on loan for the remainder of the season, Pearce made some shrewd signings in the summer transfer window. Former Chelsea youth academy product Michael Mancienne joined from German outfit Hamburg, and now the defender is the club’s captain and is leading by example. Britt Assombalonga, the former Watford forward who arrived for a sizeable £5million fee from League One side Peterborough United has already found his feet at the club and is sure to bang in more goals than he has done thus far.

However, the one arrival that has impressed the whole of the Championship is Michail Antonio. The signing from fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday has been in remarkable form since pulling on the famous red and white shirt. The winger has made a combined total of nine goals and assists so far, more than the likes of Middlesbrough midfielder Grant Leadbitter, Charlton Athletic’s Igor Vetokele, Norwich City forward Lewis Grabban and teammate Assombalonga. Scoring five goals so far, Antonio’s passing, long shots, dribbling and aerial duels is the reason why he is the hottest property in the second tier of English football.

Having scored four goals in 26 appearances for the Owls during last term, Antonio is the main man in order to increase his team’s chances of gaining promotion after a 15 year absence from the big time. Financially, Forest is in good hands with the Al-Hasawi family pumping money into the club. This is something strange to most clubs, as Forest actually have foreign owners who care purely for the club. Appointing Stuart Pearce as manager is a great example.

All in all, this fantastic club is already in great shape to compete with the Premier League’s very best. The fan base is fit for England’s top flight as well as the brand of football Pearce insists on implementing in Nottingham. The long overdue promotion struggle will most definitely galvanise the new signings, aside from the experience of the the old guard in the shape of Andy Reid and Danny Collins.

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That’s something legendary Brian Clough will be extremely proud of.

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It has been a tough start to the 2014/15 season for Mauricio Pochettino as his Tottenham side failed to hit the ground running.

Pochettino’s high-pressure, energetic style of play at Southampton was almost non-existent amongst the Spurs team in the opening fixtures of the season. However, with a few adjustments here and there, Pochettino’s managerial plans are starting to take shape at White Hart Lane.

One of the key successes for Pochettino has been installing the hunger of the youth into the starting eleven. The likes of Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Ben Davies have all performed well; producing the energetic style and commitment that Pochettino looks for in his teams.

Harry Kane is the standout example of this. Before Kane, Spurs would often rely on the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado to lead the line. These strikers have simply failed to produce for Tottenham and their lack of work rate was a further frustration for Spurs fans.

Now that Kane has been given a run in the first team, Pochettino’s fortunes have changed. Kane looks a handful, a constant aerial threat who will happily do all the running it takes to help his team. Tottenham fans hail Kane by chanting ‘he’s one of our own’ and his performances on the pitch suggest that he really wants to perform well for his hometown club.

It is not just the youth team products who are starting to perform for Pochettino either. The likes of Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli have six goals each for Tottenham so far this season. Chadli only managed five goals in the entirety of last season, excelling under Pochettino this time around.

Christian Eriksen has scored some vital Premier League goals in recent weeks to grab important away wins for Spurs. His late strikes against Hull City and Swansea City gave Tottenham the three points and made a big difference to their standing in the Premier League table. The slow start to the season for the Argentine is now starting to gather pace and Tottenham look in more of a stable condition to push up the table.

Although Tottenham have improved as the seasons gone on there are still a number of issues that Pochettino should address.

The continued struggle of players like Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela will be a concern for the manager as they are only showing glimpses of what they can do. Seeing as the club invested over £50 million on both Soldado and Lamela in the summer of 2013, they have done little to repay the investment and Pochettino may look to sell the players in order to generate enough cash for his own transfer targets.

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The unfortunate situation for Pochettino is that he finds himself working with a group of players that Andre Villas Boas spent over £100 million on. Therefore, it was always going to take time for the former Espanyol manager to shape the Tottenham team into something that suited his managerial style.

Despite this hinderance, Tottenham are now starting to string results together as Pochettino continues to make his mark on a team that needs rebuilding. If the manager can continue to implement his style into this Tottenham side then there is no reason as to why Spurs cannot continue to climb the Premier League table.

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It has been a tough start to life back in the Premier League for Queens Park Rangers. The Hoops currently sit just outside the relegation zone in 17th position after 15 matches, with survival being the only target this season. Their recent home form is what is keeping them just ahead of the bottom three, with three of their last four matches at Loftus Road having garnered maximum points. Inevitably, the real problem has been QPR’s abysmal record on the road.

They have lost all seven away matches so far, including 4-0 drubbings away to Tottenham and Man Utd. While they have had a tough start away from home, this kind of record must improve as soon as possible if QPR are going to be able to stay in the Premier League. But, with trips to Everton and Arsenal coming up over the Christmas period, that may be a big ask in the short-term.

The key man for the Super Hoops so far has been striker Charlie Austin. The 25-year-old has struck eight times in 14 league games so far – exactly half the club’s entire tally. Despite this being his first season in the top flight, he has taken to it extremely well, not looking out of place at all.

Austin has always been a natural goalscorer at every club he has been at during his career and his finishing capabilities have been on show for the whole world to see of late. His composure in front of goal has been superb and QPR will be desperate for him to continue this as he will surely be key to whether or not the club stay in the division this season.

Another marksman will probably be needed in January with Austin being the only real source for goals so far this season. Bobby Zamora has been used throughout the campaign, starting for around half his appearances. Whilst he is good at holding up play and being the provider to Austin, what QPR really need is another goalscoring option and Zamora isn’t the answer to that.

Eduardo Vargas can play in a forward position, and although he has chipped in with a couple of goals, QPR really needed more out of him at this stage.

QPR have spent a lot of money this season and in recent years. They should be performing a lot better considering the amount splashed, but something just doesn’t seem to be clicking. It is true that they have a lot of high earners who are perhaps not as committed to the club as they should be.

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They certainly have a squad assembled that has the quality to survive in the Premier League, but what is obvious is the fact that they simply have to start picking up points on the road. With some solid form developing at home and a top striker in Austin, they should still be playing Premier League football this time next season.

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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he’s ready to wait until the summer to pursue a new goalkeeper following Simon Mignolet’s recent improved performances.

The Merseysiders’ chief admitted earlier this month that a new stopper is on his radar, and there have been subsequent links with Fiorentina’s Norberto Neto and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen of Barcelona.

Mignolet was signed by Rodgers back in 2013 as a replacement for Pepe Reina, but after some initially promising displays, the Belgian’s form tailed off, culminating in some error strewn displays at the back end of last season and his eventual omission from the first-team over the winter.

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However, stand-in goalie Brad Jones – who was equally wobbly between the sticks – suffered an injury away at Burnley, which opened the door for the ex-Sunderland man to return to the XI.

In the eight matches since then, Mignolet has conceded just six goals, and was mightily impressive against Chelsea in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final.

In light of his improved showings, Rodgers has revealed that he’s been impressed by his No. 1, and that securing a new option before the deadline passes is no longer a priority:

“We will see how that evolves over the next few days but I can’t see it happening this month,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“Simon has been excellent, he’s probably not thinking so much. Sometimes you can over-think as a player. What he’s doing now is instinctive and he’s got back to doing what he does best.

“We brought him in here because he was good on crosses and a great shot-stopper. We knew there were areas we needed to improve with him. Now you see him making those saves, making great blocks, and coming and taking crosses.

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“In his mind he’s more settled in terms of what he’s got to do in the game.”

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Since the days when Patrick Vieira ruled the roost, Arsenal have struggled to find a central midfield combination good enough to lead the side to consistent Premier League title challenges and silverware. Alex Song has come and gone, Mathieu Flamini has aged while Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby have been on the treatment table more often than on the pitch.

However, the signs are there that Arsene Wenger may well now have a double act with the range of positive attributes to help the Emirates Stadium side reach its potential. Although the Arsenal manager has experimented with Santi Cazorla in a deeper role at times this term, the partnership between Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey looks to have the hallmarks of a top-class central midfield pairing.

The Frenchman has been mightily impressive since the turn of the year, with the 23-year-old taking his chance in the first team with aplomb and proving himself as a top-drawer and diligent enforcer. The Gunners have been crying out for a physical presence in the ‘boiler room’ that has the necessary discipline and the ability to win the ball back when the side does not have possession.

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The signs are that Coquelin can fill this role in the long-run with the former Charlton loanee also signing a new long-term contract with the club. Ramsey has had his injury problems throughout his career, with this season proving no different. Due to an inability to consistently play and string together a run of games, the Wales international has not been at his blistering best this season but there have been recent reminders of his calibre.

In the first half of last season the former Cardiff box-to-box man was arguably the form player in the Premier League, showing a seemingly never-ending willingness to run, while adding an abundance of goals from the middle of the pitch. Injury blighted his purple patch last term and played its part in Arsenal’s season derailing, while the Welshman has had to deal with further setbacks since.

The signs in recent weeks are that Ramsey is starting to reenact last season’s stellar performances, with a couple of important goals by the 24-year-old. In Coquelin, Ramsey has the ideal midfield partner to anchor the ship and allow him to go forward at will, knowing that Arsenal will not be overrun as a result.

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Keeping the Welshman fit and increasing his time on the pitch will be crucial in the North London club becoming consistent title challengers, as on his day he is one of the most complete central midfielders in the Premier League. With Coquelin an effective and no-nonsense partner for him, it appears that Wenger finally has a youthful, exuberant and functional central midfield duo to compete with the division’s best.

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It’s been an odd season at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers fans have never warmed to Sam Allardyce as boss, they’ve been less than seduced by his direct tactics and what they perceive as unsophisticated, maybe even flat-out boring football.

But right up until around Christmas time, they looked on course for a run at the Champions League spots or at least a European fight. They were playing some fairly decent football  with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia up front, and Stewart Downing even earned an England call-up for his efforts at the tip of the diamond. The fans may not like to admit it, but that was a tactical master-stroke from Big Sam.

And then Andy Carroll came back and Sam reverted to type – the big man up front leading the line. The diamond was dead and West Ham hit a slump in form that they can’t get out of.

Yet they might still make Europe. A Big Sam team with Kevin Nolan in it might make it into Europe via the fair play table – odd isn’t it? Even odder is that their competitors for this European post are an Everton side including Gareth Barry, the player who has the most yellow cards in Premier League history.

So it’s been a strange season, but with West Ham failing to challenge for Europe via their league position, some things never change.

The change in system, along with the injuries that Allardyce has had to put up with this season have probably been the major factors for the drop off in form. Carroll came back and he scored four goals in 10 games, which isn’t terrible, though it’s hardly setting the world on fire given that he’s a striker who’s amassed more than £50million in transfer fees.

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Still, to have to keep changing your squad isn’t ideal. Yet the system can only do so much. At some point you have to stop talking tactics and start talking about the heart and passion of the players.

That’s something Big Sam teams have been known for – what Bolton lacked in quality and sophistication, they made up for in heart.

Yet this West Ham team haven’t really done that this season. If you’re playing as well as they did at the start of the season it doesn’t really matter, but when you start to lose games and when you start to find yourself off form, that’s when you really need to dig in.

West Ham fans don’t particularly like Big Sam, but everyone would agree that you can’t go through an entire season just playing beautiful football. Sometimes you need to man the trenches and defend, you need to get stuck in and grind out results. And that’s something West Ham haven’t actually done this year.

And the proof is the fact that they’re anywhere near the top of the fair play league.

I’m not saying that teams should be dirty. Or that you can’t have a good season without being prone to the odd dirty tackle or professional foul. But there will probably come a point in every season where you need to take a yellow to stop a break for example. And sometimes it just shows that you’re up for it if you fly into a tackle.

Everton and West Ham, two teams who have had poor seasons and two teams who are high in the fair play table. That’s not a complete coincidence.

There are several reasons for a slump in form. One is tiredness, Everton have had lots of games and lots of travel. That might be a reason for their slump, and when you’re tired, perhaps the will to be competitive in every game fades.

Another is upset in the dressing room, maybe the players aren’t playing for the team or the manager any more. Things can get into the heads of the players, and perhaps they’ll lose a competitive edge as a result of that. That sort of psychology shouldn’t come into play, but it often does.

Perhaps another still is when systems change. Carroll came back into the team and played in a different manner to Sakho and Valencia. Maybe that’s one reason for West Ham’s dip in form. And when there’s any sort of slump, perhaps it’s almost like a depression hanging over the club, where the players just can’t get up for games any more.

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So the form of West Ham and Everton might have to do with many reasons. But one symptom of poor form is a lack of a competitive edge on the pitch. The good disciplinary record is not a reason for poor form, it’s a symptom of it. But it’s still worrying.

It’s too late to do anything about it, though. If they start now, they’ll perhaps lose a place in next season’s Europa League. But it’s almost like a pity prize.

They’ve lost their form, lost their competitiveness and somehow they could be rewarded with a place in Europe.

Could you imagine just how angry Roy Keane would be if he were a West Ham player? The phrase ‘a little bit soft’ springs to mind. That doesn’t sound particularly East London to me.

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Having secured qualification for next season’s Champions League thanks to their fourth-placed finish; Manchester United look set to spend big once again as they look to bolster their squad in a bid to challenge for the Premier League title.

It’s set to be a busy summer at Old Trafford with arrivals and departures in the offing across all areas of the team from the goalkeeper right through to the strikers.

One area in particular that Louis van Gaal is intent on strengthening over the coming weeks is the right-back spot having seen Antonio Valencia fill in regularly with Rafael suffering from injury and a dip in form.

Barcelona star Dani Alves was hotly tipped to be the answer with the Brazilian strongly linked with a move to United, but following on from his Champions League success the 32-year-old signed a new two-year deal on Tuesday ensuring he will remain at the Nou Camp with the treble winners.

The Red Devils will now have to turn their attention to other potential targets, and with this in mind here are five possible right-backs that could be on Manchester United’s shortlist…

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Seamus Coleman

Everton star Seamus Coleman has become arguably the best right-back in the Premier League having continued to impress at Goodison Park over the past few seasons and looks the obvious choice to star at Manchester United.

The Red Devils continue to be linked with the Irishman who arrived from Sligo Rovers for just £60,000, but could now require a fee of around £25m.

Coleman is not only a brilliant defender, but his attacking prowess makes him a real threat going forward and he’s someone who has already shown he’s capable of picking up plenty of goals and assists throughout the season.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also thought to be interested in the 26-year-old, meaning Everton could face a real battle to keep him away from the Champions League clubs this summer.

Nathaniel Clyne

Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne is someone that has been linked with United for a good few months now, and although a potential deal seemed to have faded; with Alves’ decision to stay at Barcelona rumours have resurfaced once again.

Clyne has enjoyed a terrific season at St Mary’s helping them secure a European place thanks to a superb defensive record and the full-back appears ready made for the Red Devils.

And a move to Old Trafford could be on the cards sooner rather than later, with Southampton close to completing the signing of Sporting Lisbon right-back Cedric Soares as a replacement for the departing England international.

Matteo Darmian

Torino full-back Matteo Darmian is another potential candidate for the right-back role at United, having impressed in Serie A and also at international level with Italy.

With four goals and assists last season, the 25-year-old seems ready to make the step up to a Champions League club making him a realistic target this summer.

His passing, tackling and tracking back will make him a useful asset, and links to both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid show just how highly he is regarded.

He looks like the perfect player to work under Van Gaal, and still only in his mid-twenties has plenty of time to continuing improving ensuring he can flourish in the Premier League.

Dani Carvajal

The arrival of Porto full-back Danilo at Real Madrid this summer has cast slight doubt on the future of Dani Carvajal who could become a top class signing for the Red Devils.

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The 23-year has been a regular at the Bernabeu this season and is considered as one of the most talented full-backs in European football; strong in both defence and attack.

But with the possibility of playing second fiddle to Madrid’s new signing next term, this has alerted a number of clubs including United, Liverpool, PSG and Bayern Munich who are ready to take advantage of any uncertainty.

And with David de Gea likely to return to Madrid this summer, there’s certainly a possibility that Carvajal may well be used as part of the deal.

Gregory van der Wiel

Gregory van der Wiel will certainly be a familiar option to Van Gaal who has worked with the Dutch right-back at international level, and could be a realistic option for a move to Old Trafford.

The PSG star has won three consecutive Ligue 1 titles with the French giants, but with just a year left on his contract; reports suggest he has been offered to United and could be available for as little as £7m.

The 27-year-old; who is also wanted by Roma, has a good pedigree at both club and international level, and would represent a solid buy who is strong in defence and equally adept going forward.

Leeds United have appointed Uwe Rosler as their fifth coach in less than a year, after owner Massimo Cellino decided Neil Redfearn was not up to the job.

At the beginning of May, Leeds United big shot Cellino was granted permission by the Football League to return to the club’s board. The Italian passed the Football League’s Owners and Directors test and was reinstated with immediate effect having previously been banned after being found guilty of tax evasion in his homeland.

The owner was seen at the Peacocks’ last game of the season and despite supporters chanting their support for Redfearn, it was only a matter of time before he was ousted from his role at the club. Cellino went on a spectacular rant in which he called Redfearn “weak” and “a baby” and many fans were angry at the outburst. It is still unknown if he will return to the club to take up his previous role as the head of the academy.

Rosler has been given a two-year-deal at Elland Road but he will have to impress Cellino more than his predecessors if he is to make it that long. When he was appointed, Rosler, who was sacked by Wigan Athletic in November, said, “This is a chance of a lifetime at a great club with great potential.” He has been out of contract since leaving the Latics and the former Manchester City striker is aiming for a top 10 finish with Leeds next season.

Cellino has previously signed and sacked David Hockaday, Darko Milanic and Redfearn with the first two lasting less than two months each in charge. Rosler led Wigan to the Championship play-offs and took them to the FA Cup semi-final in the 2013-14 season, but struggled at the club at the beginning of this campaign. According to Rosler, the deal happened very quickly after meeting Cellino, so the Italian owner has obviously seen something in him which he hopes will bring new fortunes to Elland Road.

The German manager has chosen to overlook the alarming statistics that have come out Leeds and decided to take on the challenge of a lifetime. Cellino is unpredictable and while he may be happy now with his new manager, it doesn’t usually take a lot to change that. Fans used to think Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich went through managers quickly, but Cellino has now set a new record. It’s not just managers who haven’t lasted long. Other senior staff members have either quit in frustration or been sacked for one mistake.

One of the biggest rumours coming out of Elland Road is that Cellino insists on helping pick the team and undermines his managers. The players are not enjoying their time at the club and on the eve of a game with Charlton towards the end of the season six didn’t travel because they claimed to be injured. It is hard to see how, after all the problems and rumours, why a manager with such a good track record (he has only lost 29% of his games as a manager) would want to go to Leeds. The lure of the history of the club is obviously still an important factor. Rosler says that he makes teams better and he certainly has to make this one better.

Fans are hoping for a new start but with Cellino’s track record it his hard to see it happening. Don’t hold your breath, Peacocks fans – anything could happen!

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Just what is going on at Arsenal? The ultimate football hipster, Arsene Wenger, has shaved the bushy beard off and started listening to Justin Bieber and One Direction. Okay, I’m speaking metaphorically, but his transfer policy has gone from hipster to mainstream. The days of little known European teenagers flooding into North London (and back out again) in their droves are seemingly long gone. Here we have a Wenger prepared to go out and buy top class talent in order to fire the Gunners back up to the top of the Premier League.

Could this be Wenger going out in a blaze of glory? He’s now signed Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Petr Cech in what could be seen as one last attempt to secure a parting league title for the club. A team of superstars is under construction at the Emirates, rather harking back to the Highbury days. Big names are coming, and they may not stop with Cech.

Recent links with Barcelona’s serial winner (Pedro), have created a buzz of excitement in and around the club. The World Cup winner has been relegated to the bench as a result of Barca’s ludicrously talented front three, but he is exactly the type of player Arsenal need.

A product of La Masia, Pedro has won all there is to win in the game and has been part of the Barca revolution and the imperial Spanish international side. He can play across the front three and has a shed load of top class experience.

The arrival of Luis Suarez in Spain has frozen Pedro out somewhat, with a role coming off the bench making up the majority of his appearances last season. Still, he scored 11 goals and chipped in with nine assists. His versatility across the front line is reminiscent of Arsenal’s last signing from Barcelona, Sanchez.

Now, Pedro is not the irrepressible presence of the buzzing Chilean, but he has partnered him in a victorious Champions League final. With doubts over Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud’s ability to lead the front line, Pedro would be a welcome addition. His ability to finish with either foot would work wonders with the likes of Santi Carzola, Sanchez and Ozil playing behind him. Predator Pedro? Maybe.

Pedro’s finishing ability isn’t the only attribute that would help him easily slot in at the Emirates. The fact he can play on either flank represents a possible natural wide option for the Gunners, with the prospect of dragging full backs up and down the country out of position enough to excite Gunners fans. Current wide men Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have struggled with injuries, and Aaron Ramsey is not a natural fit on the right.

His ability to perform on the big stage may be the most tempting factor for Arsene Wenger. If he is to open his chequebook for the Barcelona star, he would be buying a man made for the big occasions. This Arsenal team are often criticised for not possessing the mentality to perform in the big games and are slammed for a lack of natural leaders. Pedro would change that. He is a man who is used to winning. Barca fans remember his goals in the European Super Cup, and his opener in the Champions League final against Manchester United fondly.

Pedro became the first Barcelona player to score across all six club competitions in a single season. Predator Pedro performs. He is a man so comfortable on the big stage, that certain sections of the club’s support labelled him ‘The King of Finals’  How’s that for a winning mentality? Wenger would not only be addressing a tactical problem with the potential Pedro signing, but he would be introducing a steely determination to win into the Arsenal dressing room.

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We saw what Sanchez could do last time out, but at times he was carrying the Gunners. The addition of his old partner in crime could have a similar impact on the North London side, and with both former Barca boys in the team, the sky would be the limit for Arsenal once more.

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Aston Villa youngster Rushian Hepburn-Murphy has faded into the background this season due to injury.

The 19-year-old attacker, who made his league debt for the Midlands outfit in 2015, was on the sidelines for four months with a groin problem.

On Monday night, the teenager showed that he is ready for action once again by scoring inside the first two minutes of the Under-23s’ 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The youngster’s performance has attracted the attention of the fans, who feel that he should be brought into the first-team squad.

Villa are well positioned in the Championship in fifth place, but just one point separates them from seventh.

The team have failed to win their last three games – drawing two and losing one – and they have been missing a threat up front.

The likes of Jonathan Kodjia and Gabriel Agbonlahor remain sidelined with injuries, while Scott Hogan is easing his way back in following stomach surgery.

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After the U23s’ game, Hepburn-Murphy took to Twitter, and in response, fans made it clear that they want Bruce to call up the attacker.