MX23RW : Tuesday, March 25 23:31:37| >> :600:828449:828449:

Michael Laudrup targets "historic" top-half finish

Laudrup targets
© PA Photos
Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup targets a top-10 finish in the Premier League to cap a "historic" first season at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup has insisted that his team will fight for a top-10 finish in the Premier League to cap a historic season.

Laudrup's side sit just inside the top half of the Premier League with seven games to play, following a 2-2 draw with Norwich City last weekend.

The Dane has admitted that he will struggle to match expectations next year, but will be content with a top-10 finish in his first season as boss.

He told The Guardian: "Like a lot of teams, for us the target at the start of the season is to reach 40 points. That means you should be safe and, when you get there, you have to set a new target and for us that should be a top-10 finish. Top 10 plus the cup would be historic for Swansea.

"The people in Swansea are very realistic but you must also accept that, when you get the taste of success, you like it and want more. You don't want to be down at the bottom. It will be very difficult for me, the club and players to say in August that, if we can finish the season in 17th with 40 points, then that would be a success.

"Maybe it would be because we are still one of the bottom clubs in terms of transfers and salaries but it would still be hard to say that. It will be a difficult year for us next year and that's why we must do well in the transfer window and keep as many of our important players as possible."

Swansea will be looking to end a run of four games without a win in their next match, a clash with in-form Southampton at the Liberty Stadium.

ID:78364: cacheID:78364:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2474:
Written by
Liam Power
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Swansea City's Luke Moore celebrates after scoring against Norwich on April 6, 2013
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Norwich City 2-2 Swansea City
>
Read more about Michael Laudrup Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds382311476255180
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd38257653282580
3Burnley382115252114178
4Sunderland381912755371869
5Coventry CityCoventry38178135548759
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381318748341457
7Bristol City38141594941857
8Middlesbrough38159145748954
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn38157164240252
10Watford38157164751-452
11Millwall381312133739-251
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38149155359-651
13Norwich CityNorwich381213136054649
14Preston North EndPreston381017113944-547
15Queens Park RangersQPR381112154450-645
16Swansea CitySwansea38128183849-1144
17Portsmouth38119184661-1542
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd381012163955-1642
19Hull City381011173947-841
20Stoke CityStoke38912173751-1439
21Cardiff CityCardiff38912174262-2039
22Derby CountyDerby38108204051-1138
23Luton TownLuton3898213460-2635
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth38712194077-3733


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!