Money doesn't always buy you success. Just ask Real Madrid after their massive spending spree over the summer when they brought in the likes of World Player of the Year Ronaldo from Manchester United, Kaka from AC Milan, Benzema from Lyon and Alonso from Liverpool.

Ronaldo has been out injured and Real have suffered after a good start to the season. And this week Real were shocked when they lost to third-division Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey. And not only did they lose, they were hammered 4-0.

I realise that Kaka was rested for that match which was played in Alcorcon's tiny ground, but that is no excuse to losing to a team as small as Alcorcon.

When a club likes Real goes out and spends millions and millions of dollars on top players, their fans demand results ¿ immediately. But Real have had a bad few weeks since Ronaldo went down with an ankle injury and it looks as if he will again be in the stands when Real take on Getafe on Saturday. That is not going to be an easy game and the pressure is mounting on coach Manuel Pellegrini.

When the season started Ronaldo looked in superb form but since he went down Real look a little shaky. And any team playing Real now will be up for it which makes it even harder. Their players are going to have to respond starting this weekend.

And next week it doesn't get any easier with the Champions League. Real have to travel to Italy and take on AC Milan who beat them in the first leg.

Although my boys West Ham have had a bad start to the season ¿ we are right in the relegation zone ¿ I do feel that things will pick up. They have to! Luckily it is still relatively early in the season and last week we somehow managed to get a point against Arsenal.

The Gunners were up 2-0 at the half and I have to be honest with you ¿ I turned off the TV. I couldn't bare it! But then the Hammers came back and tied it up which says something.

Fortunately Arsenal like to play football and because of that they give you the chance to come and play which we did in the second half.

The first goal was a bit of a joke when our keeper Robert Green collided with teammate Tomkins and dropped a cross from Sagna to give Van Persie a shot into an empty net. Then Gallas headed home Van Persie's corner for the second midway through the half.

Thankfully Cole managed to score in the second half and then Diamanti tied it up from a penalty.

Cole is going to need some help up front and I hope Zavon Hines works out. He looks like a tremendous kid ¿ he is only about 20 and was born in Jamaica. He is very, very quick and can give defenders headaches. Hopefully he continues to improve under manager Zola.

Liverpool must have sighed with relief when they beat Manchester United 2-0 last Sunday to end their four-game losing streak.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been under a lot of pressure and he must thank his lucky stars that he has striker Torres playing for him. Torres must be considered one of the best strikers in the world and he certainly did in Rio Ferdinand for the first goal. One of Torres' great gifts is that he is so quick right off the mark. If you don't manage to force him wide he will have you ¿ as Ferdinand found out.

Rio has been making a few mistakes lately and I don't know why. He is a great player and he and partner Vidic need to get back to where they were last season when they formed one of the best defensive duos anywhere.

I hear Rio has a lot of interests outside the game ¿ a magazine, record label and he is also into producing movies. Perhaps he needs to get away from that and concentrate on his game. Because if you don't concentrate then a player as great as Torres will be all over you.

One team I have to tip my hat to is Stoke.

They were promoted to the top flight last season and many thought they would go down. But they survived and are playing great this season. They managed to beat Spurs at White Hart Lane last weekend with a late goal and Spurs are a very good side. I believe that is the first time in decades that Stoke have managed to grab all the points at White Hart Lane. It must rank as one of their best victories since they joined the Premier League.

Stoke prove that you do not necessarily have to be loaded with money to get ahead. Their players work hard for each other and I can't say enough about their manager Tony Pulis. They are ninth in the table and this weekend they take on promoted side Wolves.

Stoke were promoted last season with Hull who got off to a great start a year ago. But things are not looking good for Hull who sit in the relegation zone ¿ along with my boys West Ham.