Planet Swans ArchivesThe Swans first Premier League season will reach the halfway stage today and Brendan Rodgers insists he is ready for the challenge of the second half with the Swans on track to stay up
The visit of Tottenham Hotspur will take the Swans to the halfway mark of the season and a point would take them past the 20 point barrier – halfway to the 40 point barrier banded about by most media outlets as the mark for survival.
And with games coming thick and fast the first challenge of the second half will be around in 48 hours when the Swans travel to Villa Park with January also hosting home games against Arsenal and Chelsea making for one of the toughest months yet.
“Every week in this league is very difficult,” said Rodgers.
“No matter who we play, every game is a tough game.
“And if someone had said in the summer that nearly halfway through the season we would be two points off the top ten, I would have bitten their hand off to be in that position.
“I think anyone who has followed us would think the same.
“For us the challenge moving into the second half of the season will be just as difficult as the first half was,” he says.
“Up until now we have been competitive in what is a very tough league, and we have to make sure that continues.
“I keep reading statistics about how our players are up there with Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona,” he adds.
“These are guys who have just come out of the Championship, so they have done terrifically well for us.
“If we can add to that group with two or three new faces, then great.
“Some of our passing has been terrific,” says Rodgers, whose side have netted only once in their last three matches.
“At times our penetration has not been as good, but that’s the level we are at and we don’t worry about it.
“We have to be a bit more clinical, but then I remember at the start of the season people were saying Danny Graham couldn’t score goals.
“Then I read this week that Danny Graham is the master marksman.”
