Cup fever can wait - Laudrup

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup does not expect there to be a cup hangover when his side face Sunderland on Tuesday night.

Last Updated: 28/01/13 at 16:55 Post Comment   

Michael Laudrup: Focused on Sunderland trip

Michael Laudrup: Focused on Sunderland trip

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

The Swans will be in action for the first time since securing a place in their first major cup final, having dumped European champions Chelsea out at the semi-final stage of the Capital One Cup last week.

There is tangible excitement in the city ahead of next month's trip to face npower League Two side Bradford in the final at Wembley, but Laudrup knows his side cannot afford to get too far ahead of themselves as they face a Black Cats side who have won four of their last six league games.

But the Dane believes previous performances this season have shown his side will not be distracted by talk of Wembley.

"I think when we come closer to the final we will notice some cup fever," he said.

"But we may play Liverpool the week before the final as they are out of the FA Cup, so we may play on that free weekend which means we will have four league games before the final.

"Three of them will be away, against Sunderland, West Ham and Liverpool, with QPR at home.

"They are important games for us, and I don't expect to see a reaction from the team as they have shown me after great performances they can keep it up for the next game.

"The best example is the week when we won at Stamford Bridge on the Wednesday and on Saturday we went to get a great point at Everton in a very difficult game, so I hope to see the same kind of performance tomorrow.

"It does not mean we will get a result, as they need the three points but if we keep that level everything is possible for us and we have always said survival is the priority and we still need some points to be sure of that."

Swansea's 2-0 aggregate win over Chelsea has been overshadowed by the furore of Eden Hazard's red card after the midfielder appeared to kick ball boy Charlie Morgan, as the 17-year-old prevented the Belgian retrieving the ball.

Hazard has since been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association, meaning his automatic three-match ban for his dismissal could yet be extended.

But Laudrup believes the apologies exchanged between Hazard and Morgan after the game mean no further action is necessary, and feels the incident has been blown out of proportion.

He said: "There was a lot of talk about the ball boy. I went to Denmark for a couple of days and he was very famous and in the national news on television.

"There was a lot of spotlight there but we have to go on and carry on.

"Things got a little out of proportion in the following days. There were mistakes on both parts, but obviously you cannot kick anyone.

"But I said after the game at the press conference that what happened showed he (Hazard) is a good boy, he said sorry just after the game.

"He has had his three-game ban and let's carry on and not go too much into it, it's in the past and that's that, let's move on.

"After the game (Chelsea) took the boy into the dressing room, they had (John) Terry, (Frank) Lampard and Hazard there and he said sorry, just after they lost a semi-final. That was very positive for me.

"If they can do that, the persons involved, then the rest of us can move on as well."

With the transfer window set to close on Thursday night, speculation continues to link striker Danny Graham with a move to Norwich or to Tuesday's opponents Sunderland.

Both clubs lodged bids earlier this month, but Laudrup currently expects there to be no arrivals or departures at the Liberty Stadium.

"I think maybe nothing will happen" he said. "There have been a lot of questions about Danny but I can only say Danny is here and we want him to stay and we don't want to change."

"He is here and if he comes to me and he wants to leave, and we have a very, very good offer, then we have to look into it, otherwise it could easily happen we will have the same squad on February 1 as we do now."

TEAMtalk Facebook Fan Page

The TEAMtalk fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Champions League final: Mats Hummels salutes Bayern Munich after Wembley win

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels admitted Bayern Munich deserved to be crowned champions of Europe.

Rogers set to join LA Galaxy

Robbie Rogers is set to join MLS side LA Galaxy, despite admitting to being a "little scared" to return to the game after coming out as gay.

Premier League: Everton provoke fan anger with new club crest

Everton have provoked a backlash from fans after revealing a new club crest.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved