Brendan – We Won’t Get Carried Away

Brendan Rodgers inists that the Swans will not get carried away chasing the dream

Rodgers was speaking as his side put together their final plans for their Premier League debut on Monday after the Premier League confirmed the game will go ahead.

The UK riots had placed the game in doubt but only Tottenham v Everton became a victim of the problems and Rodgers said “Many clubs in the past have chased the dream.

“For many clubs they think it is going to be heaven, but the reality turns out to be hell.

“They have chased the dream and spent millions and millions in the first year and they have got relegated chasing something that wasn’t there.

“Of course we want to stay in this league. But it’s important we don’t get carried away with the reality of where we are at.

“We are a million miles behind the other clubs in this division in terms of resources, even a club somewhere near the bottom in terms of budget.

“But that won’t stop us fighting and in terms of the soul of this club, this is an honest club and I don’t want to put that in jeopardy.

“We will fight to compete in this league without selling our soul.

“This is a club that nearly went out of business eight years ago because they couldn’t pay the electricity bill, which was a couple of grand.

“I respect where we are at. It’s taken the club 30 years to get here, so let’s not just put a toe in, let’s try and put a foot in. But let’s not go diving in with two feet.

“I have hungry players with good quality and we will see how they get on.

“In every single game we will be underdogs,” he said. “Norwich and QPR have experience in the Premier League, for us it’s a new adventure.

“Our shirts weren’t dry from Wembley and we were bookies’ favourites to go down.

“It’s given us a cause and we will die for that cause. This year could be even harder for the promoted teams.

“Taking points off the big four could be harder because they have all invested heavily this summer.

“We will lose games, but the approach won’t change from last season.

“It’s not about us getting knocked down, it is about how we get back up.

“We are going to lose games, but it is about how we recover.

“Through adversity we hope to get to the stars.

“There are three levels in the Premier League and, like Blackpool last season, we have probably come in and created a fourth level.

“It’s a massive challenge. They are a club that are moving forward very quickly.

“We are competing against a side with trillions, not millions or billions, but trillions.

“They want to be a super-power in world football, but they are also looking to build something.

“But they are still human beings, they have got great qualities, but they can still have bad days.

“If we bring our A game then we will have a chance, you never know.

“Although the reality is if we bring our A game and Man City bring their A game – then it could be difficult.”