Stoke trip is our priority, says Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup
MICHAEL Laudrup admits Swansea City face "a very heavy week" after being paired with Liverpool in the League Cup — but has told his players to zoom in on Stoke.
Swansea face a Capital One Cup reunion with former boss Brendan Rodgers at Anfield late next month — probably on October 31 — either side of Premier League fixtures at Manchester City and then at home to Chelsea.
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Laudrup
It promises to be one of the most taxing spells in Swansea's history — but Laudrup is refusing to contemplate it yet.
"It will be a very heavy week with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea," said the Swansea manager.
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"It's good to know we have a cup tie against a great team and a great club coming up.
"There is something special, something extra, because the Liverpool manager will play his former club and some of the players here will face their former manager.
"But the game is at the end of October and we are not yet at the end of September.
"We have four big Premier League games before we play Liverpool and the most important is the next one against Stoke.
"We can talk about Liverpool when we get closer to the game, but right now I don't want to go into it any deeper.
"For now we can only think about a very difficult game against Stoke."
Swansea were today checking the fitness of three key players ahead of tomorrow's testing trip to the Britannia Stadium.
Pablo Hernandez (knee), Ashley Williams and Jonathan de Guzman (both ankle) have all been suffering this week but Laudrup is optimistic all three will be cleared to feature.
"They all looked okay in training on Thursday and, if they are the same on Friday, we should be able to pick them," added the Dane.
"Pablo felt a twist in his knee last Friday but he is looking good now.
"Ashley and Jonathan both have injuries that would get better with time.
"Jonathan can have some rest in the international break, but of course Ashley has to play two games with Wales.
"I would not stop him playing for Wales because I know how much he cares about playing for his country."
Swansea are still without Kemy Agustien, Kyle Bartley and long-termer Neil Taylor, but Chico Flores and Nathan Dyer are back in contention after suspensions.
Dyer will compete with Hernandez and Wayne Routledge for one of two places out wide, while Laudrup faces a big call in central midfield after leaving out Leon Britton last week.
Flores is expected to return at the heart of defence — and Laudrup reckons the Spaniard has learned a lot since his sending off against Sunderland.
"I talked to Chico about his red card and about other red cards as well," Laudrup explained.
"It's another football culture for both of us, and you see different things when you come in from the outside.
"He didn't expect the red against Sunderland and he didn't expect a three-game ban, but the foreigners always have to learn and adapt in football just like in life.
"Chico knows what he can't do."
Comments
by brochadav
Friday, September 28 2012, 11:37AM
“Why should Laudrup shut up when he's right about different cultures. Obviously Chico would get a red anywhere for that stupid incident but he has to learn that red cards are more likely in the Premier than a lot of other leagues and even the Championship.
It's a no brainer for me, Britton and Dyer have to star. Leon's our pivot, our linchpin, without him we look disjointed. Maybe Hernandez needs to make some cameos from the bench until he's settled in properly. I'm certain he'll show his class as long as we give him time.
Stoke will be hard and we need to retain possession a lot better than we did last time out.”
by asdfdfs
Friday, September 28 2012, 11:18AM
“Britton and Dyer were missed heavily last Saturday so I also fail to see where the big call is. Leave De Guzman and Hernandez out, they haven't shown shown any reasons why they should be called up ahead of Dyer and Britton. If Hernandez cost us £5.5m, God knows how much Dyer is worth.”
by hacker_jack
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:48AM
“There is no big call to make in midfield. Britton is fit he will play, almost certainly by Ki if there is any doubt over De Guzman's fitness.
Laudrup needs to shut up about different football cultures when it comes to Chico though. you cant raise your foot studs forward near someone's head. Even in prison football that would be a red card.”