Three people in the spotlight this weekend

The pressure of being an important figure in the Premier League is never-ending, and this weekend will be no different as managers and players return to action.

Below, Sports Mole takes a look at three people who are searching for a successful weekend for very different reasons.

1. Alan Pardew

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If reports this week are accurate, Pardew has just two games to save his job at Newcastle United. To call his stay in the North-East a roller-coaster ride would be an understatement. We've seen him go from the brink of qualifying for the Champions League to watching as his own supporters booing him from the stands. In truth, Pardew has always seemed to be just one bad result away from being unemployed.

All of that means one thing for the Magpies boss - Newcastle simply have to beat Southampton at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday afternoon. They've started the season with two points from three matches, a total which has seen Newcastle fans voice their concerns once again. Is the squad good enough to achieve a top-half finish? Is that enough for the fans, who are desperate to see the club challenge with the bigger teams? Pardew needs a result to buy some time, and he needs it on Saturday.

2. Danny Welbeck

Compared to Pardew, Welbeck is enjoying the time of his life right now. A £16m deadline-day move to Arsenal from Manchester United appeared to send his stock rising as onlookers suggested that the Gunners would see the best of the forward as a central striker. It's probably fair to say that we've seen overreactions from a small number of supporters on both sides, but there's no doubt that Welbeck has the potential to be a success, a certain Sir Alex Ferguson knew that much.

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Why will the pressure be on Welbeck this weekend then? Well, the 23-year-old is now in a position he has never experienced before. Having left a squad including Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Falcao, Welbeck is now looking to become the main man for a team aiming to win the Premier League title. His confidence was clear on Monday night as he scored twice in England's victory over Switzerland, but can he do the same against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon? With Olivier Giroud set for an extended spell on the treatment table, Welbeck has to hit the ground running.

3. Louis van Gaal

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The Dutchman is the manager of Manchester United, so of course he will always be in the spotlight. However, this weekend could potentially be a turning point for Van Gaal and his squad. Even their harshest critics would not expect them to struggle all season, but their start to the new campaign is a huge concern for everyone at Old Trafford. Still looking for his first victory, Van Gaal will meet Harry Redknapp and Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

It won't be a surprise if United pick up all three points against QPR, but how they approach the game could be very interesting. The arrivals of Marcos Rojo, Angel di Maria, Daley Blind and Falcao have seen questions asked about which system Van Gaal would use, and whether he would abandon the 3-5-2 formation. All four players are tipped to be in the running to start the game, but who will be missing out? The likes of Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj could slip down the pecking order as a result of the summer spending, while there is even greater pressure on Rooney and Van Persie. Victory is all that matters for Van Gaal, but can he fit in all of his stars to make it happen?