Planet Swans ArchivesGraham will line up for Swansea City against Manchester City in four weeks as the club's record signing having arrived from Watford in a £3.5m deal shortly after the play off final.
And despite almost everybody tipping the Swans for relegation, Graham is confident that his new team mates will survive as he explained to Wales on Sunday.
“We’re being written off and that’s standard for teams who have just come up.
“But that’s not a problem because it was the same for me at Watford last year when we were favourites to go down before a ball was even kicked – but then we surprised everyone and finished mid-table.
“This is a different club and a different division. but we can do the same thing. We will respect teams first and foremost – but we won’t fear them and we will go out there and play the kind of football we do, pass and move like we do. And if we do that we will surprise plenty of teams along the way.
“Sure, it’s going to be tough, but I’m also sure we will survive and shock a few people.
“I can’t wait. I made my debut at Old Trafford when I was younger at Boro and that left a taste in my mouth to get back to places like that.
“And I’m looking forward to going to all the big grounds and the big clubs – and not just go there, but go to win.
“It starts at Man City – and that’s a real welcome to the Premier League because there aren’t many bigger tests. They have big players, international players who aren’t just stars but superstars – but that won’t stop us going there to play our own game and go for that result like every game we go into next year.
“And we won’t be going there thinking about the money that their side has cost or who you’re facing or where the likes of me and some of the other lads who have come through the divisions have come from.
“If you do that, you’re fighting a losing battle because we have every right to be there. Yes, you respect the teams we’re up against next season but we are there to do a job and as soon as we cross that line you have to be in the zone about your own game and not who we’re playing – and that means going for three points.
“Transfer fees are crazy these days so I’m not surprised I’ve become a £3.5m player, if I’m honest,” said the Geordie goal-getter. “I’ve seen Shane Long linked for £8m so that shows what it’s like now.
“But £3.5m doesn’t bring pressure – £35m like Andy Carroll is pressure.
“I want to score goals and do it in the Premier League and Swansea have given me that chance and I want to repay them.
“I’ve been here before but I wasn’t experienced then – now I’ve come back and I’m not a boy anymore. I’m a man and I’m sure I can do well – and I’m sure the side will surprise.”
