Michael Laudrup: Danny Graham's departure has not left Swansea City short of goals
MICHAEL Laudrup insists Swansea City have not been left short of firepower after revealing the pull of home proved too strong for Danny Graham.
Graham ended a month of speculation by completing a £5 million switch to Sunderland on transfer deadline day.
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Michael Laudrup
That brought the curtain down on an 18-month stint in South Wales for the man signed by Brendan Rodgers to lead the line in Swansea's maiden Premier League campaign.
The former Watford forward's 14 strikes meant he finished as Swansea's top scorer last term.
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But the arrival of Michu limited his opportunities.
Laudrup insisted a desire to play more regularly contributed to Graham's decision to leave.
But the Dane also stressed that he was keen on a move back to his native North East.
"It wasn't that he was unhappy but a combination of wanting to go elsewhere to play and a desire to go back home," said Laudrup.
"As a manager you have to listen because it's not just football but personal.
"I told him it was okay and I understood, but he had to understand there was an economic side.
"The offer from Sunderland was good in the end. As a club we're happy and that combination meant we had to leave him go."
Though Swansea made a couple of enquiries, they did not bring in a striker to replace Graham.
Laudrup hinted that he asked about Queens Park Rangers' Jamie Mackie and Sevilla's attacking midfielder Manu.
But they could not agree satisfactory deals and he insisted Swansea were under no pressure to do business in January.
"You can always say why didn't you buy anyone. First of all players I want are not possible to sign in January," said Laudrup. "Perhaps they could have been but for a ridiculous amount of money and the way we do things here is not paying £9 million, £10 million or £11 million for a player.
"We tried a couple of things. One of them was quite advanced, then suddenly the president of the other club changed the rules and it wasn't possible to have a loan, only a permanent (deal).
"In one case it depended on the other club doing business. We will have alternatives but next season, with the players who will come in."
With Laudrup ruling out a move for an unattached striker, Swansea will go with what they've got for the rest of the season. That leaves Michu, who has alternated between striker and attacking midfielder, as the No. 1 choice to lead the line.
Itay Shechter and Luke Moore are the other frontline forwards at the club with Leroy Lita on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Rory Donnelly not yet considered ready for first-team action.
Shechter has yet to move off the mark in 13 appearances since arriving on loan from Kaiserslautern, while Moore's brace against Barnsley in the Capital One Cup remains his only contribution from 12 games. "If Michu got injured, I'd be worried anyway because he's our top scorer and he's the most important offensive part we have," said Laudrup.
"Should I have kept Danny in case Michu got injured so he can play in the (Capital One Cup) final? That's all what-ifs and that is not enough to keep someone.
"I'm not worried that Itay hasn't scored. I think he's worried much more. It's psychological.
"He wants to score, as does Luke, and we still have possibilities from other offensive players.
"It is true we have a top scorer who is scoring a lot of goals but we also have the midfield or wide players scoring.
"I look at the numbers and the chances we create. We are scoring more goals this season than last."
6 Comments
by slagheap
Sunday, February 03 2013, 7:54PM
“I bet his bank manager doesn't think he is a muppet”
by skooby12
Sunday, February 03 2013, 6:22AM
“danny did not leave because he was homesick he left to play more games from the start and where did he start from -the bench what a muppet. he had the chance to play in europe next season but he went to sunderland at best mid table maybe lower after yesterdays game”
by Swanseajack
Saturday, February 02 2013, 4:07PM
“Are their any Welsh Americans looking for a chance?”
by LiamOSullivan
Saturday, February 02 2013, 10:50AM
“I would suggest giving Donnelly sub appearances to see if he can follow in Davies' footsteps.
Also if Michu does get injured, Dyer and Pablo can both play inside. Pablo isn't that much of a goal poacher, but Dyer has shown earlier that he can get a few. JDG is also not a striker but he can play further upfield and will score goals due to his pace and skill.
In other words, no worries.”
by abertawejack
Saturday, February 02 2013, 10:03AM
“The way our Ben is playing who knows what can happen, he's a class act that lad especially in front of other teams goals, be it as a back or forward player. I also believe we have enough capable talent and League points to offset, Danny's goal scoring abilities, until the summer break, if only to give people a rest from over demand.
C'mon u Swansssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss Yeehaa.”
by John_on_Gower
Saturday, February 02 2013, 9:19AM
“Time for Itay Shechter and Luke Moore to set up to the plate and score some goals.”