Despite setting his current employers back close to £30 million over the course of the summer transfer window, Roberto Firmino hasn’t exactly proven himself worthy of such a hefty price-tag so far across the 2015/16 campaign for Liverpool…

During the first half of the current season in-fact, the highly rated South American seemingly looked out of touch with the pace of the English game, somewhat unable to hold his own up-top at Anfield, and rather short of producing the supposedly ‘world class’ form he had previously displayed with Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.

However, after bagging himself a succession of well taken goals in recent outings – and simply turning his overall performance levels up a notch under the charismatic management style of Jurgen Klopp – the 24-year-old Brazilian has admittedly shown some improved signs of potential for the Reds of late.

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So then, as a decent remainder of the 2015/16 campaign still remains to be played right in the here and now, is it fair to suggest that this £29 million man is just about to come good in front of the Liverpool faithful?

Well, although Roberto Firmino certainly hasn’t impressed every time he’s pulled on the Reds shirt this season, the former Bundesliga star now seems more settled in the Premier League after experiencing an admittedly forgettable start to his Liverpool career.

The former Hoffenheim man initially arrived at Anfield with a rather promising reputation under his belt of course. He was beginning to define himself as up and coming attacker certainly worthy of keeping a keen eye on – both on the back of his previous exploits in Germany, as well as on the international scene with Brazil.

And whilst the 24-year-old Reds man is definitely yet to set the Premier League alight with Liverpool thus far, Roberto Firmino nonetheless showed clear signs of intent even without registering himself on the score-sheet towards the beginning of the season. It therefore comes as little surprise that Liverpool’s new no. 11 is finally starting to show his very best form in front of the Anfield faithful.

When it comes to taking up effective positions in and around the opposition’s penalty area, attempting daring shots from just outside the box, and simply displaying that all-important sense of flair most English fans tend to expect from big-money South American imports – Roberto Firmino hasn’t quite thrived in 2015/16 as of yet – but in light of his most recent performances for the Reds, he certainly seems to be getting there it must be said.

Perhaps if the young Brazilian had eventually been captured for a far more realistic transfer-fee back in the summer however, very few would have seen fit to discredit the recently acquired Liverpool star as easily as they did at the start of the season.

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He obviously fails to represent a £29million player yet if the burden of such an inflated asking-price doesn’t become too much for the player in question at the end of the day, there is no reason to suggest that this quick-footed attacker won’t successfully establish himself on Merseyside some day in the not too distant future.

Yes, Roberto Firmino will never likely replicate the same kind of legacy left by the likes of Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez during each of their respective spells at Anfield – but as his most recent performances in a Liverpool shirt have nonetheless alluded to of late – this is a player who simply has enough potential to impress the Reds crowd for a good few years yet to come.

So if Jurgen Klopp’s side simply have enough about them to keep progressively climbing the Premier League table,then the immediate future remains a promising place for Roberto Firmino and the Merseyside faithful.

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Following a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona and a 3-2 loss to Manchester United, seemingly ending Arsenal’s Champions League participation and Premier League title chances in just a matter of days, Arsene Wenger’s future at the Emirates has become the tabloids’ favourite talking point once again.

After all, if Le Professeur can’t guide the Gunners to their first league title in over a decade whilst reigning champions Chelsea are out of the picture, Manchester City are failing to fire on all cylinders and United have reduced their season aim to simply Champions League qualification, the chances are that he never will.

Yet, the Red Devils’ plight since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement provides a stark warning to the north London outfit, demonstrating the enormous void long-term managers leave behind and how debasing their departures can be to a club’s successes.

So if Arsenal are to part with Wenger this summer, after two decades at the helm, they need a strong replacement lined up first. With that in mind, Football Fancast have taken a look at TEN potential successors, asking you to decide whether the Gunners would be better off with one of them at the helm next season.

UNAI EMERY

Unai Emery hasn’t been mentioned as a potential Wenger replacement just yet but sooner or later, a top European club will have to take note of his consistent success with Sevilla.

Despite losing a series of key players in Ivan Rakitic, Alberto Moreno and Federico Fazio, the Spaniard has guided his side to consecutive Europa League titles and fifth-place finishes in La Liga.

Los Rojiblancos operate under a balanced philosophy and defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak is a known Gunners target who Emery could bring with him to the Emirates.

EDDIE HOWE

If one British manager has a genuine chance of breaking the stereotype of lower-mid-table survivalists, it’s Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe.

He’s guided the Cherries from League Two to the Premier League, insisting upon a core of home-grown talent and an attacking philosophy Arsenal fans would particularly appreciate.

The 38-year-old lacks experience at the top end of the game but ensuring top flight survival this season would be a miraculous achievement underlining his enormous potential.

PATRICK VIEIRA

Of all the Invincibles mooted to replace their former manager, Patrick Vieira particularly stands out.He captained the Gunners through their undefeated season, enjoyed World Cup success with France and has an in-depth understanding of the Arsenal identity.

Likewise, the 39-year-old offers relative experience when compared to his former team-mates, managing the Man City development squad for two years before taking over at New York City FC.

Moving to the MLS only in January, however, an Arsenal appointment seems more likely a few years down the line.

Manuel Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini’s proved what he’s capable of with a top-class squad and offers Premier League experience, lifting the league title and the Capital One Cup twice during his three years with Manchester City.

The Chilean insists upon attacking football and always conducts himself with the distinction in the public eye. Furthermore, he’ll certainly be available this summer with Pep Guardiola set to replace him at the Etihad.

FRANK DE BOER (and Dennis Bergkamp)

Frank de Boer has guided Ajax to four Eredivisie titles in five years despite continually selling on his best talents and remains revered from his playing days, as a former Champions League winner, Barcelona star and 112-cap Netherlands international.

A number of young players have flourished under his leadership and he’d certainly make good use of Arsenal’s academy ranks, whilst drawing some of the Netherlands’ most exciting technicians to the Emirates.

Perhaps more importantly, the 45-year-old would likely bring current assistant Dennis Bergkamp to north London in a managerial dream team. Many would like to see the iconic centre-forward heavily involved with his former club once again.

RONALD KOEMAN

Ronald Koeman’s win rate with Southampton stands at an impressive 46% and the Dutchman is an incredibly underrated manager, considering he’s previously claimed silverware with Ajax, Benfica, Valencia and PSV.

He’s somehow improved the Saints despite their infamous 2014 summer exodus and is currently on course to secure a second season of Europa League football with the seventh-placed side.

Testing adventurous back three formations, always giving young players the chance to impress and notoriously nice to almost painful levels, the 52-year-old is a well-rounded manager who deserves a chance at a top Premier League club.

DIEGO SIMEONE

Famed for an industrious philosophy and his cult-of-personality leadership style, appointing Diego Simeone would certainly buck up the ideas of Arsenal’s many underperformers. But regardless of preferred playing style, it’s the Argentine’s ability to maximise talent that should take precedent.

Despite lacking the resources, finance and quality of Barcelona and Real Madrid, he’s transformed Atletico into genuine title contenders and regular trophy winners – claiming a Europa League title, a Copa del Rey and a La Liga title during the former midfielder’s four-year reign.

Simeone would add some much-needed pragmatism and discipline to the Gunners’ game, heralding the days of one-nil to the Arsenal, but the transition from the Wenger philosophy would take some time and considerable spending in the transfer market.

CLAUDIO RANIERI

Claudio Ranieri’s role in Leicester City’s emphatic rise to the Premier League’s summit cannot be overlooked. Many of his substitutions have lead to vital points for the Foxes throughout the season and the manner in which he’s kept momentum going whilst fending off pressure has been phenomenal.

The Italian has worked at some of the biggest clubs in world football – including Fiorentina, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus, Inter Milan, Monaco and Roma – and clearly has a good understanding of how to claim results consistently in the Premier League.

But if he guides Leicester to the title this season, the ‘tinkerman’ won’t be jumping ship to north London.

JOACHIM LOW

Joachim Low has committed his services to Germany until after the 2018 World Cup but the situation could drastically change depending on Die Mannschaft’s successes at the coming European Championship. He’s already served as Germany gaffer for a decade and is surely keen to test himself at club level once again at just 56 years of age.

During his time at the helm, the former midfielder has proved himself a formidable tactician, a developer of young talent and a manager capable of getting high-quality personnel to work effectively as a team.

A lack of success during prior spells in club football is notable, however, and convincing Low to leave Germany this summer will require either title-winning triumph or enormous failure at the tournament in France.

JOSE MOURINHO

He’s been tipped to take the hot seat at Manchester United but nothing seems set in stone just yet.

Appointing the Special One certainly wouldn’t please old nemesis Arsene Wenger but he represents the level of ruthlessness and pragmatism the north Londoners have consistently lacked during the last decade under Le Professeur.

Furthermore, Jose Mourinho’s success in terms of silverware is hard to overlook. He’s claimed two Champions League titles and domestic honours with Chelsea, Real Madrid, FC Porto and Inter Milan – and is still just 53 years of age.

But there’s so much bad blood between the club, the fans and the Portuguese that the Gunners may be forced to look elsewhere.

Let’s face it – although the current domestic season is yet to reach its final curtain-call, the 2015/16 campaign has so far proven to be an absolutely captivating, dramatic and unpredictable affair for all Premier League onlookers

Yet whilst the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy of Leicester City and West Ham’s recently acquired Dimitri Payet, as well as both Harry Kane and Dele Alli down at Tottenham Hotspur this season, clearly warrant their place among the PFA Player of the Year candidates, we’ve decided to take a look at several – albeit slightly subtler options – who possibly deserve to be talked about in the scrap for the the prestigious accolade.

So then, without further ado – here are five distinct outsiders for 2015/16’s hotly anticipated award. From some of last summer’s most impressive signings, to a selection of old favourites who seemingly aren’t looking to leave the Premier League spotlight any time soon, there are a few candidates…

N’Golo Kante

Although each of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy clearly deserve the recent plaudits that have come their way in 2015/16, N’Golo Kante is another in-form Leicester City star who must also receive his fair share of consideration.

The former Boulogne and Caen man has certainly proven a star performer for Claudio Ranieri’s impressive outfit so far this season, doing an under-appreciated job in midfield. He arrived at the King Power Stadium on the back of a rather modest fee, and simply hasn’t looked back since first taking to the turf, giving everything for the cause.

Via his tough tackling approach in the middle of the park and never-say-die attitude every 90 minutes, this recently capped France international is one player many Premier League sides would simply love to have on board for the 2016/17 campaign.

Mark Noble

Another determined centre-midfielder to make his way onto this particular list comes in the form of West Ham’s loyal and reliable captain, Mark Noble. The 28-year-old Englishman – who is yet to make his way into Roy Hodgson’s international plans – has been a solid performer for Slaven Bilic’s outfit this season, and seems to be in the form of his life under the Hammers’ new Croatian tactician.

Although Noble has never been blessed with the greatest level of pace across the park, everything the current West Ham man lacks in acceleration and technicality, he more than makes up for via his intelligent style of play with the ball at his feet and sheer determination for the cause.

England’s loss has seemingly proven West Ham’s gain throughout Noble’s Premier League career thus far, but seeing as Hodgson will most likely fail to include the 28-year-old midfielder at EURO 2016 this summer, it remains somewhat hard to envisage Noble ever being considered for the PFA Player of the Year vote in the cold light of day.

Romelu Lukaku

Whilst Roberto Martinez and Everton have clearly failed to set the Premier League alight for the most part this season, one player who has nonetheless failed to disappoint down at Goodison Park has to be a certain Romelu Lukaku.

The towering Belgian front-man has continued his fine goalscoring form this term, whilst serving to frustrate opposing defenders time and time again on the back of his overall game inside the final third. Lukaku has therefore sounded himself out as one of the most impressive young strikers in the whole of world football once again, regardless of Everton’s poor season.

Had Chelsea still been able to call the 22-year-old front-man theirs, then perhaps the Stamford Bridge faithful wouldn’t have witnessed such a dire domestic campaign from their side!

Toby Alderweireld

Despite the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane rightfully stealing much of the spotlight down at White Hart Lane this term on the back of their increasingly impressive exploits in front of goal, Tottenham Hotspur have also presented themselves as a distinctly solid defensive unit in 2015/16 – and summer signing, Toby Alderweireld, simply has a great deal to do with that.

The Belgian international has worked wonders in front of the Spurs faithful with countryman Jan Vertonghen alongside him this term, which hasn’t come as much of a surprise considering how well the 27-year-old defender had previously plied his trade in the Premier League for Ronald Koeman’s determined Southampton outfit.

Spurs nonetheless owe a fair amount to their extremely cohesive and ever organised back-line this season, for without the likes of Alderweireld and co. in place to keep things steady at the back, they wouldn’t still be sitting among the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Mesut Ozil

Perhaps the most controversial name to possibly stake their claim among this particular list arrives in the shape of Arsenal’s widely admired – yet sometimes equally ineffective – midfield maestro, Mesut Ozil.

The German World Cup winner certainly hasn’t impressed across the entire duration of the campaign thus far it must be said, but as the 27-year-old Gunners star nonetheless remains right at the very top of the Premier League’s individual assist table at this particular stage in the proceedings, he must therefore receive his fair share of credit.

However, if the former Real Madrid playmaker had managed to have a greater influence within some of Arsenal’s most significant matches, perhaps Arsene Wenger’s side would still be considering themselves genuine title contenders as opposed to regular old top four hopefuls.

A miserable Mersey night for Roberto Martinez has seemingly put his job as Everton manager in an almost untenable position.Frustrations have boiled over within sections of the club’s support, with one fan having to be restrained by stewards as he attempted to confront the Spaniard in the recent draw with Southampton.Considering the nucleus of talented young players in the squad, their constant struggles to string any sort of consistency together has baffled and frustrated the Toffees faithful in equal measure.Sections of the club’s support have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations at the ex-Wigan manager following a miserable mauling at the hands of their greatest rivals, Liverpool.

A 4-0 decimation at Anfield this evening has seen the #MartinezOut campaign fire to the fore.

Though there’s the small matter of an FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United on the horizon, the tide appears to have fully turned on Martinez and Twitter has erupted with fans baying for blood.

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The internet is a funny old place. A place where you can apparently say what you want to who you want without ever having to worry about the potential consequences.

Indeed, if you called a young adult male a four-letter word whilst jostling with him for bar space in a night club, he’ll probably try to punch you in the face. If you do it on the internet, however, you usually get away scot-free as online peers relentlessly applaud you.

And there is no more accommodating scenario for such trollish acts than Twitter Q&A sessions – greasy PR opportunities that more often than not turn into complete PR disasters as celebrities are posed the most awkward and offensive questions known to man.

Exhibit A? Jack Wilshere’s #AskJackWilshere social media campaign held earler today, which quickly turned into a circlejerk of berating the Arsenal and England midfielder about his smoking habits, injury problems, stuttering career and well… anything else you could verbally hit him over the head with.

Here’s the best tweets from #AskJackWilshere…

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Philippe Coutinho is the closest Liverpool have got to a universally adored Kop hero since the departures of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard.

The Brazilian attacking midfielder produces the sort of box office moments that any football fan leaps off their seat for and has, despite his continued inconsistencies, given the fans some of their best moments over the past couple of campaigns.

However, under Jurgen Klopp, Coutinho has seen his role diminish slightly. The impressive Roberto Firmino, who has dazzled in 2016, took the premier role of Brazilian superstar at Liverpool whilst Adam Lallana continued to prove that he is always one of the manager’s favourites with regular appearances and continually suave Cruyffs.

Coutinho might be tempted by a move to one of Europe’s biggest sides this summer. The bright lights of Guardiola, the instant-messaging power of Barcelona or the sheer weight of Euro notes from the Santiago Bernabeu could be enough to turn the head of a player who should have his best years ahead of him.

So, if Coutinho does move on, who can Liverpool replace him with? Here are five options…

Lucas Moura

The Paris Saint-Germain speedster could be set to enter a period of uncertainty.

After initially struggling to make his mark in the French capital, the Brazilian took a more vital role last season but, with changes afoot, it could see him lose his place once more as the club look to add more big names to their footballing revolution.

A right-winger by trade, Moura’s arrival at Liverpool would allow another player to take up the central berth, be it Lallana or Firmino, and might actually see the side play in a more balanced manner.

Marek Hamsik

One of the early stars of the Euros, Hamsik’s class hasn’t been in doubt.

The Napoli man stayed loyal to his club when other stars jumped ship and he might finally be looking to move elsewhere as the Serie A club struggle to break Juventus’ Scudetto dominance.

Less of a dribbler than Coutinho, Hamsik’s eye for a pass makes him a playmaker more than a show-boater and would offer something to the Liverpool side that they arguably don’t have.

Nolito

Although signing Nolito, who turns 30 in a few months, would break the recent Liverpool transfer pattern, the Spaniard offers goals from a wide area that is so hard to come by.

One of the names who worked his way into the current Spanish squad on merit, Nolito is an intelligent forward who will find space in the final third.

Far from a direct replacement for Coutinho, Nolito would be considerably cheaper than many alternatives and allow for investment elsewhere.

Georginio Wijnaldum

Aside from that famous four-goal game, Wijnaldum largely disappointed in his debut Premier League season with Newcastle.

Although his stock has fallen somewhat, it’d be a shock if he remained at the Magpies for a season of hard-working Championship football.

Talent does not just leave a player and it would, more than anything, be a case of Klopp having to motivate Wijnaldum. Capable of playing on either flank or off of the main striker, Wijnaldum would work superbly in the interchange of forwards.

Dusan Tadic

One of Southampton’s several inconsistent players, Tadic can be one of the league’s best defence-splitters on his day.

Regular registering towards the upper-echelon of Premier League chance-creators, Tadic has vision, tactical awareness and the ability to produce the extraordinary.

Liverpool’s continued decimation of Saints may see the price creep up if they were to make a move, mind.

Pre-season is the optimism capital of the season, where no one has played a game yet and everyone is unbeaten. And after last season, why can’t anyone win the league – the phrase ‘doing a Leicester’ is in the air.

But if everyone believes this is their season, it’s starting to feel like English football’s aristocrats are putting their thumbs on the scales of fairness again and re-establishing their dominance.

As Claudio Ranieri says, if Leicester were 5000/1 to win the Premier League last season, they really should be 6000/1 to win it this season. But what were the odds not just for Leicester to win the league, but to win it by ten points?

Last Season

It was an unrivalled success and one that more than likely won’t be repeated. But in a way that’s a good thing. Leicester are the only champions in modern football who can actually enjoy the fact they’re the champions, without having the expectations and pressure to retain their title.

Football has become a river; a never ending, self-perpetuating flow where one season bleeds into the next. Big corporate ‘clubs’ look to win trophies not for the glory of victory, but to fulfil their obligations and extract more money out of sponsors and fans.

Not so with Leicester – ok, well maybe a little bit so – but for Leicester there’s no pressure to win anything. Just like their wasn’t last year. Like a recent graduate, the Foxes can use that nifty new title after their names: Leicester City, Premier League Champions. Leicester City, PLC….

What does success look like?

A successful season will be one where the adventure is enjoyable. There’s no pressure, and the Champions League will be a novelty; the next phase of the Leicester City story. If they remember to live in the moment, enjoyment will be the taste of success.

But of course, that doesn’t mean they can’t progress. The league is surely beyond them – and in any case, they’ve already won it, so why bother trying there again? But Ranieri’s Leicester didn’t win the cup competitions, so why not prioritise more silverware, and in much more winnable competitions?

The league is a once in a lifetime achievement, but Leicester have never won the FA Cup or a European competition either – could this be the year? Even another League Cup victory to add to the trophy cabinet would be huge.

How has the summer gone?

There was no Yoko Ono, but Leicester are still in significant danger of breaking up the band. The challenge will be to actually build a better squad rather than filling holes left by departees.

N’Golo Kante is a big loss, but surely it’s better to get rid of a player who no longer wants to be there. If Riyad Mahrez leaves, it’ll be tough to take, but Ahmed Musa and Nampalys Mendy look like astute signings who suit the happy-go-lucky approach the Champions will have this season.

Key man

If he stays, it’ll be Riyad Mahrez. He showed last season what a great player he is, but the challenge after a great season is always to keep the same level for the next season. It’s not a given that Mahrez rises to the challenge, but the great players always do. Don’t be surprised if his creativity, trickiness and pace could terrify Europe this season.

Make or break season

It’s hard to think of a Leicester player who underwhelmed last season, but perhaps that’s because the underwhelming players simply didn’t get a game. Demarai Gray came into the club in January, when it’s always hard to settle into a new club and hit the ground running, especially when such a fixed starting eleven is performing miracles on the pitch.

August heralds a new season, and it’s a chance for Gray to make his mark on that starting XI this season. With clubs like Crystal Palce linked with £30m moves, every club in the country can improve on what they already have. Leicester themselves will get big money from their Champions League campaign, too, and can replace anyone they feel isn’t up to standard.

Could this be a season where Gray makes his mark on the Premier League? Or will it be a disappointing season that halts the meteoric rise for a while?

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While things haven’t been going brilliantly in the Premier League for Leicester City, the Champions League is currently a different story.

The defending champions are 12th in the league with only two wins from six. Their form on the European stage has been superb, however, with last night’s 1-0 victory over Porto making it two wins out of two and four goals scored without conceding. Wow.

One player who has struggled domestically, but shone in Europe, is last year’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian has had a mixed start to the season but laid on a superb assist for Islam Slimani’s winner at the King Power Stadium and turned in the kind of performance the Foxes were used to last season.

Mahrez’s showing last night followed on from a superb Man of the Match performance away to Club Brugge on the opening match day, where the Algerian scored twice in a 3-0 win.

Tony Pulis has been a Premier League figure since he won promotion with Stoke City in 2008. After achieving great success with the Potters he moved on to Crystal Palace in 2013 before joining his current club, West Bromwich Albion, in 2015. His teams are renowned for their defensive organisation, incredible work rate and ability to frustrate their opposition.

Unfortunately for the 58-year-old, his sides are also known for a distinct lack of goals and his tactics are often branded ‘boring’ and as ‘hoof ball’ by fans.

Despite the negativity, his West Brom squad have settled under him and it’s paid dividends so far this season, as the Baggies sit comfortably in 10th place, with a positive goal difference, just two points behind ‘title-chasing’ Chelsea.

They have won two, drawn two and lost two and have every reason to be happy with the start they’ve made especially when considering their slightly underwhelming summer transfer activity.

And yet, Pulis is second favourite with Sky Bet to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job.

Why?

There’s a stigma attached to the kind of football that Tony Pulis coaches. He wants his teams well organised, well drilled, exceptionally fit and hungry, but these features tend to negate individual quality – his teams set up to suffocate rather than create.

So, rather than the open football we’ve seen this season from the likes of Liverpool who are coached by Jurgen Klopp, Pulis tends to prioritise the clean sheet above all else.

This was no more prevalent than in his days at Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace.

Of the 13 home games Pulis managed, Palace kept six clean sheets, as well as adding another four on their travels. They recouped 24 points from a possible 39 from matches at Selhurst Park under Pulis, making it a place to fear playing at.

He was the only manager of Crystal Palace from November 2013 until the end of the season and helped the Eagles from the bottom of the League to an 11th placed finish.

When he took over in November, Palace had three points from 10 matches, so to achieve safety really was a remarkable feat and he thoroughly deserved his Manager of the Year award.

Palace’s remarkable recovery can’t be put down to luck either, as Pulis has achieved similar success at his current club, too.

Languishing in 16th place in December 2015, one point above the dreaded relegation zone, Pulis took over the reins at West Brom and guided the Baggies to a safe 13th finish, ending the campaign nine points clear of the bottom three.

He followed this up by leading them to safety once again as the Baggies finished 14th in the 2015/16 season before starting this season steadily, too.

So, why can’t Pulis catch a break?

Despite all the good statistics from the Premier League tables, the clean sheet leaderboards and the kilometres covered standings, Pulis is a man under pressure.

After seven successful years at Stoke, they hit a juncture where they simply could progress no further under his stewardship.

Club chairman Peter Coates recognised that Pulis had served the club superbly well, but the FA Cup Final appearance and Europa League tie with Valencia were the pinnacles.

That, in some ways, is quite a damning statement.

Yes, Pulis set the ball rolling at Stoke and kept it rolling, too, but, Coates saw a way for an even better future and since his departure, Stoke have not finished in the bottom half of the table, whereas, under Pulis, they never finished in the top half.

This is not to belittle the good work he did at Stoke, because he certainly laid the foundations and gave them their platform to succeed, but there came a time when it appeared they had achieved their goal under him.

Unfortunately for the Welshman, it appears that the same wall has been hit at West Brom.

Pulis has been at The Hawthorns for a much lesser amount of time then he was at Stoke, but fans are already agitated about the poor quality of football they’re paying to watch.

Last season, the Baggies failed to muster a shot on target in seven separate matches, which became a new Premier League record.

To make matters worse, only relegated Aston Villa scored fewer goals than West Brom despite the fact that the Baggies finished 14th, and until their very recent 4-2 victory over West Ham, all of their previous 11 victories were won by a one-goal margin – eight of which were 1-0.

This doesn’t exactly paint West Brom as a swashbuckling, exciting team to watch.

Pulis, though, is staunch in his defence of his side’s defensive abilities and believes they suffered a lot of misfortune going forward, too. More importantly, though, Pulis wants to focus on how staying up really is the BIG achievement for West Brom no matter how they manage it.

He has a point, too. For some clubs, staying up this season will be a huge achievement, but eventually, there is always a need for progress and that’s where things turn sour for Pulis.

As fans get greedy and drunk with the idea of wasted potential they clamour for better than 12th place finishes and a mean defence.

At the end of the day, the spectators are the paying customers and they are entitled to want entertainment and goals. Unfortunately, Tony Pulis may never be the man to deliver that.

Tottenham’s start to the 16/17 season has been nothing short of superb.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side crumbled under the pressure of a title challenge last season but have followed that up with an unbeaten start to this term and have even brushed aside title favourites Manchester City with ease.

Many will now be tipping Spurs for another title push. Their mix of attacking prowess, high-pressing and defensive solidity have all the right ingredients for a title challenge – but can they keep it up?

Not a lot of people thought they could when Harry Kane was ruled out with a long-term injury but since then, Tottenham have arguably been even more impressive without the England international in the side.

What’s more, Kane’s absence has given other players a chance to show Pochettino and the Spurs faithful what they’re all about. But which ones should you be considering for you FPL team?

We’ve taken a look at the most effective FPL points scorers at Spurs so far this season – average points per 90 minutes played – and here are the five players who should be considering…

5. Erik Lamela – 4.77 PP90

Erik Lamela recently admitted that he finally feels at home in North London, three years after his move to White Hart Lane from Roma.

It has certainly taken him some time to adapt to life in England, although last season he did register an average points per 90 of 4.69.

This season, though, he’s already averaging 4.77 PP90, despite only contributing with one assist and one goal from his opening seven league appearances. It’s a shame he missed that penalty against Man City or his average would’ve been significantly higher – 5.39 PP90.

He is relatively cheap at just £6.9m and is owned by only 7.6% of FPL teams. Definitely worth a punt.

4. Hugo Lloris – 5.71 PP90

Hugo Lloris kept 13 clean sheets last season as Spurs arguably had one of the strongest defences in the Premier League.

This season, Spurs have only conceded three goals from their opening seven league games and it’s already looking as though Lloris is a must-have keeper for any FPL team.

He has kept three clean sheets from his five appearances this term and, as a result, is averaging 5.17 PP90.

However, despite him being of the best goalkeepers where PP90 is concerned, only 6.1% of FPL teams have him.

Almost a differential, right? Get him in.

3. Kyle Walker – 5.83 PP90

As mentioned with Lloris, Spurs’ defence is superb and not much gets past it.

Unsurprisingly, Walker has once again been one of Tottenham’s best performers at the back.

Clean sheets, assists and the odd goal will ensure he aways get you a good points return each week, and he is already averaging 5.83 PP90 as a result.

However, 33.6% of FPL teams have him in their ranks which means it might be worth looking elsewhere for equally effective players who aren’t so widely owned.

2. Danny Rose – 6.5 PP90

Another Spurs defender? What a surprise!

Danny Rose is another player who is guaranteed to return you a good amount of FPL points each week.

However, what is incredible about Roses’ average of 6.5 PP90 so far this season is that he has only made four appearances. During that time he has contributed with one goal, one assist, two clean sheets and and three bonus points.

He is only selected by 5.4% of FPL teams at the moment, which makes him a decent and cheaper alternative than his teammate Kyle Walker – but expect that to go up over the course of the campaign.

1. Son Heung-min – 10.78 PP90

It’s fair to say Son Heung-min has used Harry Kane’s injury as the perfect opportunity to finally announce himself to the Premier League.

He struggled for game and with injuries last season, but the South Korea international has launched himself in early contention for player of the season with his performances over the past month or so.

Four goals, two assists and six bonus points from just four appearances has led him to averaging a whopping 10.78 PP90.

His ownership is still low at only 9.8% but his price is rising fast so if you’re looking for a high points scorer, get him in fast!