Five things we learned this weekend

Chris Foy and his assistants will be refereeing the Scottish Under 9’s next week

Chris, Chris, Chris. That was abysmal wasn’t it, you know it, I know it, and anyone who tuned into Ford Super Sunday knows it. Ok you can maybe be forgiven for the odd throw-in going the wrong way, goal kicks instead of corners, maybe even the maulings in midfield getting waved on. But, when you don’t spot a deliberate handball on the goal line you cannot be forgiven, rule out a goal that is at least two yards onside you cannot be forgiven. When you send off Kaboul but not send off Woodgate, you cannot be forgiven. I don’t think many can disagree with the criticism being laid at Foy’s door. It’s just a shame that he’ll never have to explain his decisions.

Chris you look startled , have you just seen a replay of the handball?

Spurs could have extended an unbeaten run if the officials were up to a decent standard today, unfortunately for them it wasn’t meant to be, goal-line technology debate anyone? I hope Longmoore Tigers have better luck next week in the Scotland Road JFL U9’s next weekend!

Arsenal are lucky they don’t have to rely on Gervinho or Walcott for goals, yet

Gervinho may be most well known for having the highest hairline in Premier League football, don’t worry Joleon, you still have the worst. But he’s getting more and more of a reputation for being the most panicked man in front of goal. He does oh so well to get into these positions, he has a good turn of pace, he can dribble he can even pass. What he can’t do however is hit the back of the net. He seems more panicked than when you’re time is up at the supermarket checkout the receipt has been handed over but you’re not quite packed up yet!

The comb forward, you're kidding no one.

Walcott might possibly be the fastest player in the Premiership; it’s just a shame for both club and country he’s not the most clinical. He can often be found whining that he’s being played out of position, “I’m not a winger” well you’re definitely not a striker with your performance in front of goal. Theo, stay on the wing it gives you an almost believable excuse for why you aren’t scoring more goals.

Thankfully for the time being they have Robin leading the line. The man just scores and scores, and scores. I made the unfortunate error of actually listening to the ramblings of John Motson on Match of the Day and heard him bleating about a record van Persie was closing in on, ‘the most Arsenal goals in a calendar year’. John, have you forgotten that football works in seasons and that calendar year records are completely irrelevant? Call me; I’ll explain it to you.

Michel Vorm is currently the signing of the season

Some people have mentioned Scott Parker as the signing of the season, but I think even Man Utd, the Premier League thieves could have sounded out his as a possible signing, actually, why didn’t they? But you show me someone who had heard of Michel Vorm before this season and I’ll show you a liar, or someone who has a wider footballing knowledge than me.

Firstly, he cost £1.5 million, that’s so cheap that Everton may have even been able to afford him. To put it into perspective, David De Gea cost £18.9 million and he’s not even as good as Vorm.

Vorm had an unforgiving start where he conceded four goals away at Man City. To the untrained eye you may think, he’s had a shocker. Yet he made eleven saves, more than any other ‘keeper in a single game during the 10/11 season.

We're walking in the air...

He has also lived up to his nickname as ‘The Penalty Killer’ saving two penalties in the league so far. To add some more stat-age to the party, he’s kept seven clean sheets in the Premier League this season, more than any other ‘keeper and has made thirty-eight saves so far this season, more than any other ‘keeper. So I’m going to put it out there, Michel Vorm is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, shall we start taking bets for what club he’ll be playing at next season?

Martin O’Neill – A welcomed return to the touchline

I really missed Martin O’Neill. It’s great to see him on the sidelines and back in the dugout. The straight talking, hard working and energetic manager is back and managing his boy-hood club Sunderland. A win in his first game sounds like something out of Hollywood but the quietly spoken genius pulled off a superb comeback.

It was great to see him kicking every ball and winning every header in his technical area and then jump around like a lunatic when first David Vaughan scored his screamer and the Seb Larsson produced his injury time winner.  It was when I saw these celebrations that I realise how much I missed O’Neill.

Welcome back Martin O'Neill

It takes a brutally honest manager to say that “there are still dark times ahead for Sunderland… it’s not all going to be fine now we’ve won a game”. Many other managers may have felt the need to get carried away and promise a winning streak. But after just winning his first game at a new club for the first time in 18 months Martin O’Neill is smart enough to realise that a lot of work is needed. I think the fans will appreciate his honesty.

So, Welcome back Mr O’Neill! I never really knew it, but by Jove I missed you.

Injuries reveal Newcastle’s mediocre squad

Well, it was bound to happen, no-one really thought that Newcastle could keep themselves in the top four did they? Well, Newcastle fans probably did but then they still think their club is up their with the best of them, the fools.

Injuries to key players this season have meant that Alan Pardew’s side have been stretched to pretty much breaking point and fielding two full backs at centre half against Norwich was undoubtedly their downfall. Grant Hold had a field day as time and again he was allowed to stroll unnoticed in the box and put the Toon Army to the sword twice as Norwich secured a fairly unlikely win.

He's finally matured into a defender to be proud of

The players who took their seat on the bench in other positions can hardly inspire much confidence in the North East either; Alan Smith, who’s played about 8 seconds of football in the last year, Lovenkrands who is at best a commonwealth 100m bronze medallist and the young and untested Sammy Ameobi don’t give the impression that they would make a great impact.

With Tiote, Gutherie, Collochini all carrying knocks, and Steven Taylor out for the rest of the season. Pardew will be hoping that Mike Ashley will stuff his oversized hand into his pockets and find some pennies to throw at, let’s face it, the French market. They’ve already unearthed some gems there and really need to do so again to bolster their ranks come the New Year.