Premier League winners and losers

Ger McCarthy

MARTIN O’Neill’s first game in charge at the Stadium of Light brought instant Christmas cheer to the Sunderland faithful. Harry Redknapp was not as fortunate on his trip to Stoke while Mario Balotelli underlined his name on Santa Claus’ naughty list with yet another off-field misdemeanour.

WINNERS
Martin O’Neill
THE Ulsterman’s arrival at Sunderland had an immediate positive effect with his new club grabbing a late victory from the jaws of defeat to spark wild celebrations at the final whistle in the Stadium of Light. Despite recording a much needed win Martin O’Neill was pragmatic enough to acknowledge in his post match interviews that Sunderland have a long way to go before being considered a top ten Premier League club once again. The common sense spoken by O’Neill in the aftermath of what was a fortunate victory over a struggling Blackburn side is exactly what Sunderland require if the Black Cats are to a) avoid relegation this season and b) attract the calibre of player to make them a force under the former Leicester City and Celtic manager.

Michael Vorm
SWANSEA City’s purchase of Michael Vorm for a paltry 1.5m from FC Utrecht this past summer already looks the bargain of the 2011-12 Premier League season. The Dutch goalkeeper has managed to keep seven clean sheets in his past fifteen appearances and has helped elevate the newly promoted Welsh club to 12th in the standings. Vorm is currently second choice behind Maarten Stekelenburg of Roma for the Netherlands’ international goalkeeping position but will force manager Bert van Marwijk into a tough decision ahead of Euro 2012 if the Swansea shot-stopper continues his impressive run of form until the end of campaign.

Luis Suarez
LOVE him or loathe him there is no denying the talent Suarez possesses in front of goal as highlighted by the Uruguayan’s bullet header to defeat QPR at Anfield this past weekend. Suarez put an impending disciplinary storm to one side and produced the type of barnstorming display that convinced Liverpool to sign the striker from Ajax for more than £22m. Suarez’s ability to drift out wide and link up the attack as well as his proficiency in front of goal increases Liverpool’s chances of grabbing a Champions League berth this season. Kenny Dalglish is all too aware of the responsibility that comes with wearing the famous number seven jersey at Anfield and will continue to build his attack around the current shirt holder as an in-form ‘El Pistolero’ remains one of the deadliest strikers in the Premier League.

Norwich City
DELIA Smith’s embarrassing on-pitch rant (“let’s be avin’ you”) seems a million years ago now that Norwich have moved into the top ten of the Premier League following a weekend victory over Newcastle. Paul Lambert has worked a minor miracle on a meagre budget to get the best out of players such as Wes Hoolahan, Grant Holt and Steve Morrison. Four wins and two draws from their eight home fixtures has made Carrow Road something of a fortress for Norwich this season. If Lambert can keep a hold of some of his emerging stars during the January transfer window then there is no reason the promoted side cannot finish in the top half of the table.

LOSERS
Tottenham Hotspur
HARRY Redknapp’s criticism of referee Chris Foy’s performance during Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat at Stoke sounds a little hollow when you consider the same match official let Spurs off the hook in the corresponding fixture last season. Foy failed to spot a clear handball (behind the goal line) by Peter Crouch on that occasion and Tottenham clung on for a 2-1 victory. Spurs undefeated Premier League run of 11 games came to end at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday because Stoke were hungrier, quicker and more determined.
Redknapp’s decision to highlight some of Foy’s decisions helped shift the focus away from the manager’s questionable tactics that resulted in a change of formation after Stoke had raced into a 2-0 lead. Similar sub-par performances will raise further questions about Spurs’ supposed title credentials and Redknapp’s suitability to take over from Fabio Capello.

Mario Balotelli
HOW much longer will Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini put with the off-field antics of his Italian international forward? Balotelli’s latest misdemeanour involved the City striker making an appearance at a Manchester restaurant in the early hours of Sunday morning that breaks the club’s rule of not going out 48 hours before a match. Balotelli’s immature attitude would have exasperated most managers to the point of being placed on the transfer list despite his recent goal scoring exploits.
Although Mancini has publicly backed his striker on numerous occasions in the recent past this latest transgression must surely result in severe disciplinary action. Just when Manchester City need Balotelli to step into the void left by the departure of Carlos Tevez City’s troublesome striker seems intent on self-destructing rather than solidifying his place in the starting 11.

Owen Coyle
BOLTON Wanderers are rock bottom of the Premier League following the Trotters’ 12th defeat in fifteen games. It is not that long ago that Owen Coyle was mentioned as a potential future Liverpool manager and possibly Arsene Wengers’ long-term replacement at the Emirates Stadium. Coyle’s inability to alter Wanderers’ recent slide down the table when fellow strugglers Wigan and Blackburn have been picking up the odd victory suggests Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside’s patience may be wearing thin. A change of manager (which would have been unheard of a year ago) may be necessary at the Reebok Stadium before the January transfer window closes.

Follow Ger McCarthy on Twitter: @offcentrecircle

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/5Le7NPiilCA/post.aspx

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