This trio are in urgent need of three points when domestic action returns next weekend.
The international break can be a disruptive influence, or it can be a welcome relief. It all depends on the situation of a certain club, or indeed a certain manager.
For some, the fortnight out of action can take all of the momentum out of a run of good form, whilst for others it can provide some much-needed respite from an increasingly ominous situation.
Here, we have looked at the latter. These three managers have all suffered dearly in the opening weeks of the season, and desperately need to recommence action with a victory next weekend.
Slaven Bilic
West Ham’s start to the season could not have been much worse. The Hammers have lost five and won only one of their first seven Premier League fixtures after being knocked out of the Europa League before even making the group stage.
The move to the London Stadium has been met with poor form, empty seats and fan violence, and the club currently sit in the relegation zone.
Bilic did a stellar job last season, leading the club to their highest league finish in 13 years, but he desperately needs to mastermind a win at high-flying Crystal Palace on Saturday evening to kickstart his side’s season before they get bogged down in the bottom half.
David Moyes
Moyes took over from Sam Allardyce this summer but it is fair to say that things have not gone to plan thus far for the former Everton and Manchester United boss.
The Black Cats, who survived relegation last season only thanks to a late rally under Allardyce, are rooted to the bottom of the league table with no win and only two points from their first seven games.
Late goals have seen them lose to Manchester City and Crystal Palace and be denied victory against Southampton, but after they themselves struck late to earn a point against West Brom last time out, they desperately need a win at Stoke City to get some momentum going before it is too late.
Philippe Montanier
Nottingham Forest started the season well with three wins from their first five Championship fixtures, but since beating Leeds United in late August they have failed to win any of their seven games in all competitions.
In all of their six Championship games during that run, Forest have been ahead at some point in the game, and they have dropped 15 points from winning positions in the course of this winless run.
They were also thrashed 4-0 at home by Arsenal in the EFL Cup, and with fans beginning to get seriously frustrated with their side’s inability to hold onto a lead, a win at home to in-form Birmingham City is desperately needed.
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