Simon Brotherton
MOTD commentator at Upton Park

Image source, Rex Features

 "This is a potentially awkward fixture for struggling Chelsea against a side who certainly look more together defensively.

"One more goal and the champions will already have conceded 15, the same number as in the whole of Jose Mourinho's debut season in 2004-05. In contrast, Southampton are unbeaten away in the league.

"Chelsea fans sang 'we want our captain back' following Tuesday's Champions League defeat. John Terry was an unused substitute again but was playing when Saints last won at Chelsea way back in 2002. His pace was questioned even back then.

"Terry's leadership qualities have never been in doubt, though, and Chelsea could certainly use some of that at the moment."

There's no sugaring the pill, this is a bad day out all round...

Let us know your tales on Twitter #bbcfootball , externalor via the BBC Match of the Day Facebook Page., external

Plenty of murmurs this morning that this could be Dick Advocaat's last day in the Sunderland dugout.

The Dutch manager was certainly in prickly mood yesterday when questioned about his future in his news conference, storming out of the room after repeatedly refusing to confirm whether he would remain at the helm.

The Daily Mail reports, external that Advocaat will quit regardless of today's result, with sporting director Lee Congerton following him out the door. Crisis on Wearside?

Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Stadium of Light

Image source, Reuters

"These two clubs couldn't have had more contrasting starts. Facing West Ham is back where it all began at Sunderland for boss Dick Advocaat. There must have been moments so far this season that he has questioned his decision to come back for more.

"The longer the winless run continues the more the pressure will build. With the international break on the horizon, the importance of victory is huge.

"Such has been West Ham's form on the road, they are expected to leave the North East with a positive result. They will look to use the anxious atmosphere around the Stadium of Light to their advantage."

Image source, .

With West Ham, Leicester and Crystal Palace all in action today, what better time than now to analyse just why they have all been so successful in the early weeks of the season?

According to Match of the Day's Danny Murphy, it all comes down to a need for speed and the rise of the counter-attack.

Read Danny's analysis in full here.

Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Carrow Road

Image source, Rex Features

"Anything could happen in this one. Norwich are unbeaten in four games in all competitions and have played some lovely football at times this season.

"Nathan Redmond is on fire and Wes Hoolahan at last has a manager who fully believes in his creativity.

"Leicester were run ragged by Arsenal but their best performances all campaign have come away, where Riyad Mahrez can break with such speed to link up with Jamie Vardy, who is one of the hardest-working players anywhere this season.

"If Vardy scores, it'll mark his best ever run in league football. His contest with the in-form Russell Martin could decide the outcome."

Here is an epic tale from Steve, who references former Northampton Town striker Frank Large...

Steve Quilty: Playing for Leeds Uni in a cup final against Leeds Post Office in the early 80's. Twelve minutes to go and we are 5-2 down and the opposition start to roll on their subs.

I am taken off and replaced by a young lad called Paul Large...the son of Leicester's Frank Large. Within a minute Paul scores. we kick off and he immediately scores again....5-4. He then hits the bar before laying on a chance that we take...5-5!

Full time, extra time to come. Post Office's substituted best players are now pleading to be let back on but it is not allowed. Extra time is played and you guessed it Paul Large scores again and we win 6-5....brilliant. Still got the winners medal and never so happy to have been substituted.

Do you have a substitute story to rival Steve? Let us know on Twitter #bbcfootball, external or via the BBC Match of the Day Facebook page., external

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Etihad Stadium

Image source, Rex Features

"Steve McClaren never lost to Manchester City in eight games against them as Middlesbrough boss. It'll be a tremendous result for him - and Newcastle - if that run continues here.

"Visitors to the Etihad often come to stifle City, yet the Magpies' best hopes might lie in giving it an attacking go, with the potentially promising partnership of Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic up against a home defence that will again be without captain Vincent Kompany.

"City have lost successive Premier League games since being beaten at home by a team that wears black and white stripes. Losing to Juventus was much more easily forgiven than losing this would be."

Getting sacked is rubbish at the best of times, but what about finding out you've been given the boot via social media?

That's what happened to Vladica Petrovic this week, who discovered he had lost his job when he checked the Facebook page of his Bosnian Premier League club FK Drina Zvornik., external

Petrovic's response? A reply to the original post, saying: "Thanks for letting me know."

Classy.

Image source, .

Image source, .

A hard man to replace...

Martin Fisher
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Vitality Stadium

Image source, Rex Features

"Last season's top two sides in the Championship have made decent starts, with both getting early wins under their belts and putting points on the board to dispel any fears that they might not belong at this level.

"Clearly, how Bournemouth respond to the crushing blow of losing chief goalscorer Callum Wilson will go a long way in shaping their fortunes. Back-up strikers Glenn Murray and Yann Kermogant now have a much bigger role to play.

"Watford's defence has been their strength this season. Over-reliant so far on Odion Ighalo for their goals, surely it's only a matter of time before Troy Deeney breaks his Premier League duck."

Steve Wainwright: Spent first half on bench throwing up after night out then hit in the "crown jewels" 30 seconds after coming on! Ouch!

Did your manager never tell you not to go out the night before a match Steve? And we have only sympathy for Ryan...

Ryan Mclees: ‏Coming on with 5 minutes left up front to chase the ball take the ball to the head get knocked out and rupture my cruciate.

Let us know your substitute stories on Twitter using #bbcfootball , externalor via the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

John Motson
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

Image source, Rex Features

"These sides sit side-by-side in the bottom four but there seems to be a difference in expectation among the respective managers.

"It appears that Villa's Tim Sherwood has resigned himself to a season of struggle, or at least consolidation.

"Stoke counterpart Mark Hughes is confident they are better than results suggest.

"Villa need to take the initiative and show the same is true of them. But their home form has been poor and Stoke will fancy their chances of a third straight win at Villa Park."

Jordan James Green: Got brought on for five seconds then taken off because some guy was moaning to come back on after five seconds being taken off never played for that team again.

Rick Wilson: Once came on with 15 minutes left ,two own goals one of which was a 30-yard lob over my own keeper , should have stayed in bed.

Don't be so hard on yourself Rick, a 30 yard lob own goal is an impressive achievement in itself.

Get in touch with your substitute stories on Twitter #bbcfootball, external, via the BBC Match of the Day Facebook Page and via text on 81111.

While we're on the subject of European football, let me mark your card for an absolute stonking day of Continental footy tomorrow.

PSG v Marseille? Check.

Ajax v PSV? Check.

Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund? Check.

Atletico v Real in the Madrid derby? Check.

We've got all that and more on our dedicated Euro football live text. You'd be mad to miss it.

Image source, AFP

Celebrating his birthday today is Sweden's most famous footballing export Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who turns 34 today.

The Paris St-Germain striker will be in action on Sunday when his team takes on Marseille at 20:00 BST.