Two Premier League managers were shown the door by their prospective clubs last week.    On Wednesday, Roberto Di Matteo of Chelsea was sacked, in a decision regarded by many as hasty in the extreme.  On Friday, time finally ran out for bottom of the league QPR boss Mark Hughes.

Here are three more Premier League managers at risk of the pink slip:

Andre Villas Boas – Sacked by Chelsea last season after a string of dismal performances, the youthful manager was unexpectedly handed the reins at Tottenham.  With a few exceptions, results have been far from impressive to date, though a morale boosting win against West Ham on the weekend brought some reprieve for the under pressure manager.  However the former Porto man’s position remains precarious and performances over the next few months will go a long way to deciding whether ambitious chairman Levy retains the services of the Portuguese. Chelsea fans disliked AVB and his popularity at Tottenham seems to be waivering.

Paul Lambert – Despite picking up a point against Premier League heavyweights Arsenal on the weekend, it was not enough to prevent Aston Villa from slipping into the bottom three.  With little investment in the squad over the summer, it is apparent that a winter of discontent is setting in at Aston Villa.  Lambert’s troubles could yet be alleviated should owner Randy Lerner be persuaded to loosen his notoriously tight purse strings in the January transfer window, but the American may yet decide to dispense with the former Norwich boss instead. Many Aston Villa fans remain undecided about their new boss.

Nigel Adkins – The Southampton manager has been very successful to date having guided the south coast club to back-to-back promotions.  A win against former Saints manager Pardew’s Newcastle on the weekend, hot on the heels of a win against QPR the previous weekend, has no doubt eased the pressure on the manager.  However, in the cut throat world of the Premier League, a few bad results can change everything.  The Southampton hierarchy invested heavily in the summer and may decide that a household name offers the club the best chance of retaining their position amongst the elite of English football. Southampton fans retain complete respect for their manager after he oversaw back to back promotions to The Premier League.

Guy P., soccersweep