Jimmy Rimmer - "Swans to finish in top 10!" - Lou Macari backs Swans for survival

Scottswan · Nov 24, 2011

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footba...el-vorm-insists-jimmy-rimmer-91466-29831185/?

EUROPEAN CUP winner Jimmy Rimmer has insisted Swansea City are in safe hands this season after hailing Michel Vorm as “outstanding”.

The former Aston Villa goalkeeping great reckons Dutchman Vorm has been one of the finds of the year, claiming his impact has dwarfed that of Manchester United’s Â£19m No.1 David de Gea.

And Rimmer reckons he’s seen nothing from either Vorm or old employees Swansea that doesn’t suggest an incredible top-10 finish is on the cards.

Rimmer, who lifted Europe’s premier club prize with both United and Sunday’s Liberty visitors Villa, says he has been hugely impressed by the way Brendan Rodgers’ men have started life in the top flight.

But it’s his verdict on Vorm, a Â£1.5m late-summer signing from FC Utrecht that has really caught his eye.

And, speaking ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Villa, one-time Swans keepers’ coach Rimmer said: “Without doubt he is a great keeper – and one of the reasons Swansea have started so well.

“And you have to give great credit to the club for bringing him in.

“I’ll admit I thought Swansea had a big job on their hands in the summer when Dorus de Vries left. I was a big fan of his and thought he was the best goalkeeper in the Championship last year.

“But they’ve made a tough task to replace him look very easy by bringing in Vorm.

“He was the No.2 choice in the Holland squad but not many here had heard of him before he signed. But from what we’ve seen of him so far he looks the real deal.”

Signed just days before the Premier League opener at Manchester City, Vorm took little time to announce himself on the big stage with an astonishing performance at the Etihad Stadium that had pundits purring despite conceding four goals.

With one error at Arsenal aside, the 28-year-old has only enhanced his reputation in the fixtures that have followed.

And Rimmer added: “The Premier League looks to his liking that’s for sure. Perhaps it will take another year before we really see everything about his ability, but even now he looks like one of the top ’keepers in the division.

“And that’s incredible to say about someone who’s only had 12 games in the best league in the world to his name.

“Compare him to United’s keeper de Gea, who I do rate highly, and without doubt Vorm is showing more.

“And then you look at the difference in price to bring them both in and Swansea have done superbly well to get him.

“As a shot-stopper he’s outstanding and I can’t say a bad word about him.”

With more than 450 appearances at United, Arsenal and Villa to his name, gaining a top-flight title and those two European trophies along the way, Rimmer is well positioned to give his opinion on Vorm’s progress at the Liberty.

But the one-cap England international, back in South Wales after a period coaching overseas, says Rodgers’ team as whole deserve huge praise.

And he is tipping the club he twice took caretaker charge of to overcome Villa in Sunday’s televised clash.

“Ultimately I like watching Swansea play,” Rimmer said. “And for an ex-pro who won a bit in his day, that’s not a bad thing to be able to say.

“I enjoyed watching them last year and to see them play the same way and successfully in this division is fantastic and the manager has done a marvellous job.

“And I honestly believe they will be in the top 10 at the end of the season. We all know that survival is the first and foremost thing, but they are easily good enough and consistent enough to be in that top-half.”

He went on: “I think the world of Aston Villa after all I won the league and European Cup there, but Swansea can beat them.

“I watched Villa play against Spurs and it wasn’t the best display, but they are not a bad side. But you look at the way Swansea performed against Liverpool and against Manchester United in the second-half and you can’t help but be impressed.”

Just as Rimmer is with Swansea’s rise, the 63-year-old having sandwiched the disastrous six-day reign of Kevin Cullis in the mid-nineties.

He said: “The only way I ever thought Swansea would be able to play United or Villa would have been in the cups. To see it happen in the Premier League is fantastic.”
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Lou Macari also had some kind words;

Manchester United great Lou Macari expects Premier League new boys Swansea City to avoid relegation this season.

The Welsh club lost at home for the first time this season on Saturday to Macari's former club, but the ex-Scotland striker was still impressed.

"They've shown since they came up from the Championship that I don't think they're going to be one-season wonders," Macari told BBC Sport Wales.

"They're going to be staying there if they keep playing the way they are."

An early goal from Javier Hernandez proved enough for the defending Premier League champions, but United had to dig deep as Swansea pressed them hard at the Liberty Stadium.

"Early-season form, especially at home, told everybody that if you go to Swansea you're going to have to work hard for a victory, because no one has been able to do it until Saturday," said Macari, speaking to the BBC's Radio Wales Sport football programme.

"Away form at Anfield was good [with a 0-0 draw against Liverpool], they surprised everyone there as well.

"All credit to the manager [Brendan Rodgers] and the players, and of course you've got to have the supporters behind you, which they are.

"They've been a joy to watch and long may that continue."

Swansea will again be at home on Sunday when they entertain Aston Villa, who lost 2-0 away at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night, and will look to at least consolidate 13th place in the table.

"I had pencilled them in as almost a certainty to go back down again, but to be truthful that was without having seen them play," Macari added.

"Swansea, where they come from they've fought hard to get to the Premier League but can they go one better and stay there I thought probably not.

"But having seen them now and seen other teams - teams like Wigan, Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn - who have got pedigree of Premier League football, everyone at the start of the season expected them just to stay up automatically.

SWANSEA'S NEXT SIX GAMES

Aston Villa (home) - 27 Nov
Blackburn (away) - 3 Dec
Fulham (home) - 10 Dec
Newcastle (away) - 17 Dec
Everton (away) - 21 Dec
QPR (home) - 27 Dec

"I don't think that's the case and certainly a couple of those... are earmarked to go down.

"Wigan, in particular, people keep saying they're a good footballing side but I don't see that.

"People were saying to me before Saturday that Swansea are a good footballing side and that's what I witnessed on Saturday, they are.

"Maybe on Saturday that was their undoing a little bit that they probably played too much football and didn't get the ball in to the box quick enough, and didn't put enough pressure on United.

"On another day if they'd done that they certainly could have got a draw and maybe even have got a victory.

"But you are what you are and I think you've got to stick with that. I think if Swansea stick [with their style], yes they'll come unstuck and overplay at times but it's got them where they are and there's no reason why it shouldn't keep them there."
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thaitaffy · Nov 24, 2011

Very good write up,I hope he is right.

Scottswan · Nov 24, 2011

Me too! Can't say I ever saw him play, but two European cups means his opinion isn't to be sniffed at, at the very least. Who was it, A Casual Fan maybe? Who said that we'd finish top 10...

beppeswan · Nov 24, 2011

And me there would be some upset english man if this is the case as i would be asking securicor to assist me to collect my winnings from the locals in Essex

DragonPhilljack · Nov 24, 2011

Jimmy is a really great lad, have met and spoken to him many times, he's been with Garden Village FC club for some years now, where he has done great work with our youngsters over the years, his son is in the first team as a CB, no where near the player his father was though, I take what Jimmy says as a very good indicator, let's hope he's right, great goal keeper in his time too!..................
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PS: Swans youth (U19's) by the way are playing Garden Village, in a cup game tonight at the Village ground!................

Jimmy Rimmer - "Swans to finish in top 10!" - Lou Macari backs Swans for survival

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Jimmy Rimmer - "Swans to finish in top 10!" - Lou Macari backs Swans for survival

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