West Ham, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have no points from three Premier League games... what's gone wrong and how bad has it been?

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Three games, no points: three clubs at the bottom of the Premier League could not have experienced worse starts to the new season.

But how deep are there problems? Should fans be getting concerned this early? And are the men in charge under serious pressure already?

Sportsmail runs the rule over the three strugglers - Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and West Ham...

Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer holds his head in his hand on the bench

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has watched his side struggle in the first three games of the season

Eddie Howe's Bournemouth have lost to West Brom, Watford and Manchester City

BOURNEMOUTH

What's the form guide?

A 1-0 defeat at West Brom on the opening day of the season preceded a hugely disappointing 2-0 loss at the Vitality Stadium against Watford.

Manchester City were almost held to a draw before Raheem Sterling popped up with a 97th-minute winner. 

How bad have the performances been?

Against both West Brom and Watford, the Cherries were disjointed at the back and nigh-on impotent up front, much to manager Eddie Howe's frustration. 

Howe urged his side 'not to panic' after the 2-0 defeat by the Hornets and they were much improved against City, going in front through a fizzing Charlie Daniels strike.

But they couldn't hold on to their lead, City came back to win it late on and both Asmir Begovic and Steve Cook then complained about perceived 'big-club bias'. 

Howe had plenty to ponder as Watford boss Marco Silva celebrated on the south coast

Is their start a surprise?

Only in as much as it is unlike a Howe side to lack energy. Bournemouth have a habit of making slow starts to Premier League seasons - well, the two they've played at the highest level to date.

In both 2015-16 and 2016-17, the south coast club lost both of their opening two matches. In all three of their top-flight campaigns combined, they've only taken five points from games in August.

Make of that what you will.

Did they get it right in the transfer market?

The much-heralded return of Jermain Defoe to the Vitality Stadium has yet to bear fruit - the England striker is yet to score - but it seems inconceivable that his lean streak will go on too long, given he managed 15 goals for a totally abject Sunderland side last season.

Five goals conceded in three matches is a mild concern but Howe will expect Nathan Ake and Begovic - his other two big summer signings - to click in the not too distant future.

There's no sense of worry around the Cherries just yet. 

Raheem Sterling scored a 97th-minute winner for Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium

Is the gaffer in danger of the sack?

In a word, no. Howe and Bournemouth are pretty much inseparable, and with just cause.

After all, he helped them from the bottom tier to the top table (with a few Russian roubles of assistance) - there's no threat of patience wearing thin. 

How tough have they got it until the next international break? 

Away from home, the fixture list hasn't been kind - trips to Arsenal and Everton await for Howe's men.

However, they will expect to get on the board when Brighton and Leicester visit the south coast. 

Jermain Defoe has yet to score for Bournemouth on his return to the south coast club

CRYSTAL PALACE 

What's the form guide?

Um, it's pretty ugly. An opening-day hammering by newly-promoted Huddersfield, at Selhurst Park, set the tone before a trip to Liverpool ended in a 1-0 defeat.

With Swansea emerging from south London with a 2-0 victory, Frank de Boer's men are one of just two Premier League clubs to remain goalless through the campaign to date.

As I said... pretty ugly. 

How bad have the performances been?

You need only listen to the Selhurst Park crowd to get an idea. Switching to three at the back has been a disaster for De Boer but the Dutchman seems intent on self-flaggelation.

After Huddersfield exposed their defensive deficiencies, Palace's system remained unchanged at Anfield, where the scoreline was kind, and still wasn't tweaked for the visit of Swansea.

Madness - trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. 

De Boer arrived at Palace with a promise to change the way his team plays football

Is their start a surprise?

In some quarters it most definitely is. There were those who tipped Palace under De Boer to make an early impression on this season's Premier League after succeeding Sam Allardcye with the promise of attacking, fluid football.

Others, who witnessed his ill-fated stint at Inter Milan, worried about how he would adapt his management and coaching style with the Eagles.

At the moment, it's a case of 'I told you so' for the doubters. 

Did they get it right in the transfer market?

Not at all. The failure to recruit a goalkeeper to challenge Wayne Hennessey, whose form so far this term has been sub-par, could become a major issue for De Boer.

Equally, the fact Palace somehow failed to sign Oumar Niasse on deadline day - despite the striker actually being in the club's offices - will have been hugely frustrating to fans.

The late arrival of Mamadou Sakho might help shore up the defence, but that's scant consolation. 

Mamadou Sakho arrived from Liverpool in a deadline-day deal to shore up the defence

Is the gaffer in danger of the sack?

Oh yes. There have already been meetings at Selhurst Park to that extent and De Boer is in serious danger of being the first manager out the door this season.  

How tough have they got it until the next international break?  

Very. A trip to Turf Moor is among the most uncomfortable in the division, and there are games against both Manchester clubs to come. This could get very nasty for Palace and De Boer very quickly. 

WEST HAM UNITED 

What's the form guide?

Goals, goals, goals. Just all in the wrong end. The season started with a 4-0 trouncing at Manchester United before Southampton stole a late winner in a five-goal thriller at St Mary's.

Then, at previously winless Newcastle, the Hammers fell to pieces and shipped three more without response. 

It's been messy. 

How bad have the performances been?

Mediocre and worse. There were some signs of fight against Southampton, coming from behind with 10 men to equalise, but otherwise it's been three long weeks of white flag-waving from Slaven Bilic's side.

Chances have come at a premium and, having been forced to play away from home for each of their opening three matches as part of the terms of tenancy at the London Stadium, they've not been able to take stock on more familiar soil. 

Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring at Southampton - a rare highlight for West Ham thus far

Is their start a surprise?

Perhaps - there was some cautious optimism in the camp following the arrivals of Javier Hernandez, Pablo Zabaleta and Marko Arnautovic in the summer - but large swathes of support have been unhappy with the way the club has been heading for more than a year.

Playing three on the road was never going to be easy, either. 

Did they get it right in the transfer market?

Hernandez is a proven goal-getter at the top level in European football, Arnautovic a high-calibre winger who should be able to feed him chances, but West Ham aren't going to get anywhere if they keep shipping goals at an alarming rate.

Joe Hart's displays have been questionable and Bilic is yet to settle on a steady defensive line, which could have done with more reinforcements. 

Co-owner David Sullivan has met twice with Bilic as the pair try to find a way out of the slump

Is the gaffer in danger of the sack?

Yes. Bilic met with co-owner David Sullivan twice during the international break to discuss what was going wrong but, for now, he has the backing of the board.

We all know how that can end up, though. 

How tough have they got it until the next international break?  

Three home games - Tottenham, Swansea and Huddersfield - and a trip to West Brom. If they're without a win after that, Bilic is surely a goner.