'Michael is very happy to have Vorm as his keeper'

PETER Schmeichel has revealed that Michael Laudrup is "very happy" to have Michel Vorm as his goalkeeper.

And Schmeichel, voted into the Professional Footballers' Association's team of the century in 2007, can understand why.

"I thought Vorm was brilliant last season," said the former Manchester United stopper.

"Any team needs a good spine, and that starts with the goalkeeper and the two centre-halves.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Wednesday, May 22 2013

"If you don't have good centre-halves it doesn't matter how good your goalkeeper is, because on more occasions than he would like, he will be made to look stupid.

"You need to protect your goalkeeper, and I think Swansea have got really good centre-halves.

"One of them (Chico Flores) has already been sent off I know, but he is learning — this is what happens so often when players come in from abroad and don't really know what the Premier League is about.

"I think Vorm surprised everyone with his qualities last season.

"I know Michael is very happy to have him here and so he should be."

Vorm made an uncharacteristic mistake against Reading earlier this month, allowing Pavel Pogrebnyak's shot to squirm through his grasp and into the net.

But generally the Dutch international has been as solid as ever in the Swansea goal this season having enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough year at the Liberty.

Vorm announced himself in English football on the opening weekend of the 2011-12 campaign with a man-of-the-match display against Manchester City.

Tomorrow he goes back to the Etihad Stadium believing Swansea have come a long way since his debut for the club.

"Last year we lost 4-0 at Manchester City but things have changed a lot since then," Vorm says.

"I had just arrived and didn't even know all of the players' names.

"We have come a long way since then."

Well beaten at City despite Vorm's heroics 14 months ago, Swansea will be expected to lose once more this weekend.

Roberto Mancini's star-studded squad have an awesome home record, having not lost a Premier League game on their own patch since Everton in December 2010.

After recent battles with the likes of Reading and Wigan, a meeting with the champions means less expectation for Swansea.

"When you play against a big team it's different from when you play against a team like Wigan," Vorm adds.

"There is less pressure and I think that suits us better.

"When you go to Manchester City of course you have something to lose, but it's more like, you try to win and if you don't you say it's okay, they're playing for the title.

"But we will not think if we lose it doesn't matter.

"And if we play like we did at home against Manchester City and Chelsea last season, strange things can happen."

One thing seems certain as Swansea prepare for City — that they need another big performance from their keeper.