Graham – It’s A Squad Game

Danny Graham may be Swansea’s record buy but he knows that does not guarantee him a first team start every game

Graham was a scoring substitiute when he turned home Mark Gower’s corner on Saturday to finally secure the Swans victory in a compelling game at the Liberty Stadium.

And that could be enough to return him to the starting line up on Saturday but Graham knows that it is a team game and he has no complaints about being on the bench last weekend.

“To be fair I didn’t expect to start against Fulham” he told the Western Mail

“Leroy scored last week and deserved to keep his place. But it’s a squad game and I came on and got a goal.

“I wasn’t upset I was on the bench. It’s a team game and there are times when we will be both needed this season.

“We both know if one comes in and scores he’ll keep the other out of the team. That’s the way it is.

“As you could see from our goal celebration together, there’s no bad feeling towards each other.

“It’s a bit of banter we’ve been having

“It was the same as the Geordie Shore-inspired stuff with Nathan Dyer from earlier in the season.

“This time it was one of Leroy’s daft dances. We were messing around and doing it in training last week.

“I don’t know where Leroy got it from, but it’s all good fun.”

Graham’s goal may have secured the Swans 4th win of the season but it was Michel Vorm at the other end who was grabbing all the headlines with a series of top quality saves including a penalty stop from Clint Dempsey

“I don’t want to praise him too much in case the big clubs come sniffing around, but he has probably been the best keeper in the Premier League this season,” he added.

“He is the best keeper I have ever played with and he is the same in training.

“But I hadn’t heard of him before he joined us.

“I played with Scott Loach at Watford and ironically, Mark Schwarzer at Boro, but I would class Michel as even better than them.

“He’s not had massive fame but, in terms of having the ball at his feet and shot-stopping, the speed and agility he has is frightening.

“He is first-class and I have no doubt he will be Holland’s No.1 very soon.

“We’ve roomed together a few times and he’s a very good lad. He’s down to earth and fully dedicated to his goalkeeping.

“He seems to know every single goalkeeper and striker.”