IN FOCUS:THE FIVE PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERS AT RISK IN THE SACK RACE SO FAR

While teams like Brighton and Brentford are flying after a strong start to the season, the pressure is building elsewhere.

Managers know they are only a bad run of games away from a sacking and they are the cohort of premier league bosses already fearing the worst.

Taking a look at five top flight managers still under pressure.

DANIEL FARKE

For the first time as a premier league boss, the pressure is building on Norwich boss Daniel Farke.

After playing three of the big six as well as Leicester city in their opening four games, a home clash against Watford was the perfect opportunity for the canaries to pick up their first points.

But they flopped at carrow road and have now lost a record breaking 15 consecutive top flight games.

After the game, Farke said:"You know how important the confidence and momentum is at this level. That is why we were concerned with how difficult the start was, to face three of the best five teams in the league, it's never going to be easy.

It was so important to win that momentum back and get off the mark. This is the first game when it really counted and we should win points to help us survive. Let's be honest, we were not good enough to deliver".

Norwich spent 50 million Euros on new signings in the summer and will no be content to go down without a flight.

Farke has plenty of credit in the bank but failure to launch in the next month may see the axe fall.

STEVE BRUCE

If Newcastle fans had their way, Steve Bruce would never have been appointed in the first place.

But Mike Ashley put his trust in the experienced boss and so far he has delivered everything the owner wants (a continue spot in the premier league).

The first cracks in that relationship appeared at the end of the transfer window when the club released a statement at odds with Bruce's comments about their business.

And with no wins yet in the top flight, the danger of a relegation battle and a return to the championship is very real.

Choruses of "we want Steve Bruce out" rang around St James park during the 1-1 draw with Leeds united and they will only get louder if results stay the same.

Bruce said:"I can understand the frustrations. I get that, the atmosphere they created makes the spectacle.

They are unique and the way they got behind the team was the most important thing and am very pleased about that".

XISCO MUNOZ

Six points from their opening five games is a respectable total for newly promoted Watford.

Despite guiding the hornets to promotion and picking up wins over Aston villa and Norwich City, vicarage road's revolving door means no boss is safe.

The minute it looks like Watford are embroiled in the relegation scrap or in danger of losing their top flight status, owner Gino Pozzo will act.

The rookie Spaniard is often asked about his future given Watford's recent history but pays little attention to it.

Munoz said:"I don't have this pressure. I am a lucky man, I am enjoying my job. I know what are my responsibilities and I know what are the responsibilities when you are a manager in the premier league and manager of Watford."

RALPH HASENHUTTL

Despite not picking up a win in the premier league, draws with Manchester united and Manchester city mean there is some optimism at Southampton.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's stock was high at the start of 2021 when he guided the saints to victory over then champions Liverpool.

But then his Side went on a torrid run and only picked up 14points from their remaining 21 league games as they plummeted down the table.

Though a series of poor results would see pressure on the Austrian, that they were a dodgy VAR decision away from beating the champions shows what saints Can do with him at the helm.

At the start of the campaign, Hasenhuttl's position at St Mary's was one to keep an eye on. Now it looks he has brought himself time again.

MIKEL ARTETA

Narrow 1-0 victories over win-less Norwich and Burnley have done little to assure Arsenal fans that Mikel ARTETA is up to the task at hand.

Martin Odegaards wonderful free kick lifted the Gunners into mid table but memories of their woeful August still linger.

After next week's north London derby, Arsenal fixtures list is kind and offers ARTETA the chance to build some momentum at the Emirates.

Speak in August, sky sports pundit Gary Neville is concerned that failures from the very top will continue to harm the north London outfit.

He said:"I don't think they have got the right direction around them and the right structure.

They have got a young coach as well with a massive job in front of him and I feel that there is something missing there that will give the young players the ability to go and achieve what they want.

Something is not right and it could be messy or scabby, it could be a horrible little.