Can The Magpies Fly In The Premier League.

Can the Magpies fly in the Premier League again or have their wings been clipped with key losses? In recent times the Toon has lost some key players that helped them achieve their success in the Premier League last season. Such names include  - Jose Enrique, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and the most notable Andy Carroll.

A Concerned Alan Pardew Watches On.

With such a mass exodus and nothing incoming I am left to wonder what is Alan Pardews plan? Or even if he has one. But there is definitely funds available from the previous transfers, so why not spend it? Newcastle is far from an established side in the Premier League and can not get complacent. But with the transfer window closing and the next one not until January, it could indeed be a long and damaging four months.


But I May be wrong and maybe Alan Pardew has a method to his madness with Newcastle starting this season undefeated with wins against Sunderland and Fulham and a draw with Arsenal only conceding one goal. But with three tricky games coming up against QPR, Aston Villa and Blackburn the start could go south or indeed they could double what they have already achieved.


Either way Alan Pardew will be hero or villain at the St James Park and with clubs showing a low tolerance to managerial failures in recent times who knows what might happen.

Michel ' The Spot Kick Stopper ' Vorm

I have a lot of views on football but one of them certainly is that goalkeepers don't get the credit they deserve. I don't think people understand or appreciate the difficulty behind goalkeeping or respect goalkeepers enough.  Especially those who have not reach dizzying heights and global fame like Iker Casillas, Peter Cech & Oliver Kahn.

One goalkeeper who has not made dizzying heights just yet is Michel 'The Spot Kick Stopper' Vorm, who did not earn that nickname easily. Michel Vorm is a 27-year-old Dutch goalkeeper pulling off his heroics for Premier League new-boys Swansea. He earned this nickname during his time at Utrecht where it was a common occurrence that Vorm would save the penalty, and the penalty taker would doubt him. If a penalty were given against Vorm the crowd would rise to their feat and chant "You won't beat the Super Vorm ", and it was rare that anyone did.

Michel Vorm has been handed the problem of being in the wrong era, being stuck behind the likes of Edwin Van Der Sar and Maarten Steklenburg. Though Vorm has still played seven matches for his country with great distinction conceding just two goals. If he was not behind such greats as mentioned above, there is no doubt he would have played many more games for his country and Michel Vorm would be a household name..

A Diving Vorm Watches It All The Way

Michel is now giving his services to Swansea in the English Premier League and hasalready made a direct impact. Though they lost the match 4-0, Vorm kept a rampant Manchester City at bay until the second stanza. Manchester city had an astounding 26 shots on target with Vorm saving 19 of them. In the next two games against Wigan and Sunderland he kept two clean sheets, giving Swansea two nil all draws. He also saved a penalty in the game against Wigan.

After Vorm caught my eye against City I was a fan instantly. I did my research and have watched countless amounts of his saving and shot stopping antics. If Swansea is to survive in the Premier League, Michel Vorm will be a massive influence and a key factor. Even if they don't, he will salvage a lot of respectability for Swansea.Though if they do get relegated I don't see Michel Vorm going to the Championship

Perwho?

Until I really started to get to know one of the players in my football team, I knew nothing about Peru. Or in fact football in Peru, As I got to know him his love for Peru and Peruvian football slowly started to emerge and my knowledge about Peru and Peruvian football expanded.

For example, I never knew players including Juan Manuel Vargas, Jefferson Farfan, Claudio Pizzaro and of course Nolberto Solano came from Peru. I also had no idea about the passion for football in Peru or the success they have achieved in the past such as winning the Copa America twice.

After looking into Peruvian Football, I have come to the conclusion, they don't get the credit they deserve. They are a part of a South American contingent that includes heavyweights such as Brazil & Argentina and other teams such as Paraguay, Chille, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia & Venezuela. So it's understandable for someone to miss a team like Peru in such names.

Paolo Guerrero Celebrates A Goal In The Copa America

However, things look to be changing with them achieving an impressive third without stars Jefferson Farfan and Claudio Pizzaro in the 2011 Copa America finishing ahead of teams such as Brazil, Argentina & Chile. Peru's last World Cup appearance was way back in 1982 and with some good football and a bit of luck Peru is looking forward to breaking the drought and return to the biggest stage of them all.

However, inside the World Cup Peru doesn't have the greatest record. With their best finish 10th and that being in 1930, they have a record of 15 games, six wins. Three draws and eight losses scoring 19 goals and conceding 31. But, let's not take away from Peru, who is currently ranked 26th in the world and looking forward to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

However, better times seem to be on the horizon with a rich vein of recent form under new boss Sergio Markarián  add in their excellent young goal keeper Raul Fernandez, Paolo Guerrero in good goal scoring form  and their stars returning from injury they look to be in good shape to tackle the World Cup Qualifiers and have a say in the matter.

Early Days For De Gea.

David De Gea has started in odd fashion for Premier League big boys Manchester United feeling various extremes from week to week be it high or low. However, what does this mean for Manchester United and David De Gea?


It means nothing, not one thing David De Gea is only 20 years old and has been brought to one of the best clubs in the world by in my opinion, the best manager in the world Sir Alex Ferguson and more often than not Sir Alex knows what he is doing. However, regardless De Gea's start to the season is something quite enjoyable to talk about.


Let's talk about the blunders first as I like to finish on a good note.


Blunder Number 1. 


Game - Community Shield match which saw Manchester United defeat Manchester City 3-2.

Poor Defensive Set Up From Manchester United

The Incident - As shown in the picture to the right it comes off a free kick. It is whipped in curling away from De Gea arriving at about the spot. As it's whipped in De Gea comes half heartedly as the Manchester United defence and the City offence rush back towards De Gea. Joleon Lescott gets a nod to it, and it goes over De Gea, who has half committed and is in no mans land.


The Problem - Two things went wrong one of which we can blame on De Gea the other is a mixture of De Gea and the defence. The problem which involves De Gea and the defence is the high line they set, as a goal keeper it is hard to commit to a ball when you have 20 odd men charging at as you come out. This can be put on De Gea as lack of preparation and the defence for the same.


Blunder Number 2


Game - Opening season fixture where Manchester United defeat West Brom 2-1




 The Incident - West Brom's Shane Long has the ball just inside the 18 on a tight angle on his left after a step over and half-beating his man, he hits a soft shot across De Gea, De Gea is slow to react and the ball slides under him as he dives late this makes it 1-1 but United go on to win due to a late winner by new recruit Ashley Young.


The Problem - Lack of focus in not expecting. Long to either beat his man or get a shot on target away, his positing was fine as when he dived, he dove over the ball which almost hit the post and went in. De Gea has top class reactions, so there is no doubt, he would save that nine times out of ten but not expecting the shot and not being ready cost him, I would say.


Blunder Number 3


Game - Manchester United third round demolition of Arsenal.

De Gea Left Wondering

The Incident - Theo Walcott beats Johnny evens and enters the 18 and side foots it at the near post to De Gea, who has his leg partially open the ball skips through his legs into the net.


 The Problem - Other than the obvious I maintain De Gea's problem is his lack of attention at times. I feel he got complacent with the lead United had at the time or may again not have expected the shot but there are no excuses for the goal.


Now let's talk about the good David De Gea has shown us. He in many ways played a crucial role in Manchester obliteration of Arsenal with crucial saves none more important than his penalty save off Gunners skipper Robin Van Persie.

De Gea Saving Robin Van Persie's Penalty.

With the score 1-0 in Manchester United's favour Arsenal are awarded a penalty after Johnny Evans fouls Theo Walcott in the box giving the Gunners a chance to come level. Van Persie chooses wrong, De Gea guesses right and the score remains 1-0. If this goal goes in it could very well have been a different game.


Another crucial moment in the game was De Geas double save denying Van Persie again and then the struggling Russian Andrey Arshavin to keep the gunners at bay and eventually Manchester United would run over Arsenal.


In my opinion, his start means nothing. He is young, and I have faith in the judgement of Sir Alex Ferguson, so I'm not writing him off just yet but only time will tell.