Michael Laudrup warns Swansea City that the bubble could burst against Norwich City
MICHAEL Laudrup admits Swansea City enjoyed their rare moment in the spotlight after victory at Arsenal last weekend.
But he has warned his players the bubble can very quickly burst ahead of tomorrow's home clash with Norwich City.
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Michael Laudrup
Swansea are being touted as potential European contenders having lost only once in ten matches, and they could move into the Premier League's top four with victory this weekend.
But Laudrup admits Swansea can expect defeat against the in-form Canaries if they take their eye off the ball.
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"I still think the first-half performance against West Brom last week was something incredible, yet I watched a TV programme the next day and they talked about all six games that night apart from ours," said the Swansea boss.
"Then last Saturday we played really well but not even close to the levels we reached against West Brom, but it's another world because we beat one of the big clubs.
"It makes a lot of noise when you beat Arsenal — suddenly we had Sky (Sports) News at training and we were on the news on the BBC.
"The players deserved all that credit at the beginning of the week, but now that has gone and we must focus on Norwich.
"This weekend the big story will be something else, but we need to focus because otherwise it's a game we can lose easily.
"Norwich, after all, are in even better form than us."
Norwich did not win any of their first seven league games this season but, having ended that run with victory over Arsenal in October, they have not lost in the last eight and also remain in the Capital One Cup.
The Carrow Road club were one of only four visiting sides to win in the league at the Liberty last season — they doubled Swansea last term — but are yet to triumph on the road under Chris Hughton.
The former Newcastle boss had a sticky start to life at Norwich, but his team have surged into mid-table thanks largely to an increasingly solid defence.
"It's a really difficult game for us," Laudrup added.
"I don't want to be negative, but we have to remember that small things can change things round very quickly.
"We could all enjoy what we have done in the last few weeks, but everything has to remain a certain context.
"There is always a new game, and we now have three very difficult games in a week — Norwich, a team with as much confidence as us, a quarter-final where we will have to accept starting as favourites and a difficult trip to Spurs."
Wayne Routledge should be fit to face Norwich after missing the Arsenal success with an ankle injury, but Pablo Hernandez (thigh) is expected to miss out again with Laudrup rating him "very doubtful".
Routledge's probable return means a reshuffle is likely, with Michu tipped to lead the line at the expense of Itay Shechter. Jonathan de Guzman could then revert to central midfield having filled in on the flank at the Emirates.
Michel Vorm will not be considered despite returning to training this week following a groin problem.
The Dutchman is tipped to make his comeback at White Hart Lane in nine days' time.
gareth vincent
Comments
by macman
Monday, December 10 2012, 2:34PM
“There are two basic reasons for the team rotation we see performed by ML:
a) injuries - of course replacements are needed. Injuries can come from mainly two sources, namely pulling a mucsle or the likes of it, OR from playing too much. This is common with bottom halft, lower budget teams, because when it is going well they cannot as Chelsea, Man U etc. have world class players sitting on the bench in case of an injury, which brings me to reason number two:
b) ML knows a season is much longer than Christmas, so he tries to use as many as possibble without selling out on quality and hence playing style.
In January they will look to strengthen the defence, center and right and maybe another forward for the same reasons.”
by macman
Monday, December 10 2012, 2:33PM
“There are two basic reasons for the team rotation we see performed by ML:
a) injuries - of course replacements are needed. Injuries can come from mainly two sources, namely pulling a mucsle or the likes of it, OR from playing too much. This is common with bottom halft, lower budget teams, because when it is going well they cannot as Chelsea, Man U etc. have world class players sitting on the bench in case of an injury, which brings me to reason number two:
b) ML knows a season is much longer than Christmas, so he tries to use as many as possibble without selling out on quality and hence playing style.
In January they will look to strengthen the defence, center and right and maybe another forward for the same reasons.”
by Hadoken666645
Saturday, December 08 2012, 5:20PM
“Valiant effort, 4-3, this is what infuriates me sometimes about our team, we can do some amazing things, that potential is always there, but we did not do ourselves any favours.
Anyway, we dropped a goal and hopefully the loss will give everyone a bit of a jump. Michu on 12 goals though!”
by abertawejack
Saturday, December 08 2012, 4:28PM
“Cometh the hour cometh the man: 3-2 C'mon u Swansssssssssssssssssssss YEEHAA.”
by Hadoken666645
Saturday, December 08 2012, 4:03PM
“Big Sigh, 3-0 down at half time, looks like someone has been messing around with the team again and blown our confidence and goal diference. What did I say about 3-0. Now we are chasing and this could go 5-6-7 bad.
Really dont know why they dont stick to playing michu up front, danny and itay are simply not good enough or dangerous enough up front at this level.
We found a winning formula that worked well for us, really annoys me we are trying to somehow go against that for the sake of playing graham or itay. Its always the same, except now we are so far down our game will be preditable and it will cost us more.
Time to write this game off and go for damage limitation and protect our goal difference.”
by abertawejack
Friday, December 07 2012, 9:48PM
“Our Team should really be thinking of losing most games, in the Premier League and who could blame them, when these highly rated teams (worth ££$$M's) are indeed inspirational when playing against us. To date we've had:
A) Complacent B) Tired. MOT'D even trolled as to the negative problems of such teams, with scant regards as to: Swansea City Football Clubs, "BRILLIANT FOOTBALLING SKILLS" though I do feel we on a cusp, eventually getting our just rewards, for these Fabulous players, manager and Committee: Win or lose against Norwich, either way I'll still be a happy Swans supporter, because I know full well, our Team will give it give 100%. could anyone ask for more! not me I can assure you. Enjoy the moment I say we've had enough downs throughout the years, so lets keep those where they belong, in the past. C'Mon U Swans..........YEEHAA.”
by Hadoken939485
Friday, December 07 2012, 9:11PM
“Why would Norwich think they have it in the bag, they are lower in the league than us and everyone knows we are a better side than last year. And we finished higher than them on last year aswell.
There is no logical reason why they would think that and if they do then they are insane.
But Norwich is one of those bogey teams for us, we could lose 3 nill, or or win 3 nill, I honestly have no idea, but we are at home and our side are in shape, so there has never been a better time for us to play them in my eyes.”
by KP287
Friday, December 07 2012, 8:31PM
“This is a different Swansea team to last season, more accomplished and physically stronger (Flores, Ki & Augustien) to match the bullying from players like Grant Holt. Norwich I am sure will try to stop us playing, however unlike last season we have a plan B, C and D if required. This is a game we can dominate and win, because Norwich players (whatever the manager says) will think they have this in the bag. We will at some point put a lot of goals past a team, lets wait and see!”