Planet Swans ArchivesSpeaking to todays Western Mail/Walesonline Danny Graham has has pledged to force his way back into Michael Laudrup’s side.
Israeli forward Shechter, on a season-long loan from Kaiserslautern, was handed his first start for Swansea at St James’ Park on Saturday and impressed in the 2-1 win.
Shechter’s performance has heaped more pressure on £3.5m signing Graham, who hasn’t started for Swansea since the 2-2 draw with Reading on October 6 when he was replaced at half time.
Spanish forward Michu was pushed upfield to lead the line for the next four games before Shechter was given the striker’s berth against Newcastle and he looks set to continue that role when Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool side visit the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
Graham said: “I’m third choice at the minute, by the look of it.
“Itay came in and did ever so well, credit to him, he was unlucky not to score.
“Then Michu can also go up top so there’s extra competition for the places up front.
“It’s a challenge but I’ve held my hands up and said I was right to be dropped – I’m not going to hide from that.
“It’s how you react. The gaffer has said he was happy with the way I reacted and I’m professional enough to understand the ins and outs of football.
“It’s going to happen along your career, it’s just about how you deal with it.
“I haven’t played as well of late and I haven’t scored, but I feel I contributed when I came on so that can give me a bit of confidence going into next week.
“Hopefully I can have a good week in training and give the manager something to think about.”
Graham was brought to Swansea by Rodgers in the summer of 2011 for a then club record fee from Watford and after being ever-present in the Swans debut season in the top flight, he started the new campaign in excellent form under Laudrup.
But he was fallen out of favour in recent weeks and hasn’t scored in the Premier League since the win over West Ham in August.
He was a late substitute in the win over Newcastle and helped the Swans to their first win at St James’ Park since October 1980.
The Gateshead-born striker was a Toon supporter growing up in the North East and says he was delighted to play a part in Swansea’s second win away from home.
He added: “I’ve been back to St James’ Park a few times, the first time I came back with Middlesbrough we drew and we drew last year with Swansea and the same when I went there with Watford.
“As a kid growing up coming to the stadium following (Alan) Shearer, (Faustino) Asprilla, to be part of a winning team here is special, especially with all the family sitting in the Newcastle end.
“They obviously want me to do well, but they’re mad Newcastle fans so I’ve got one over on them.
“The most important thing is that we’ve won a football match away from home, we’ve put in a good performance and we could have scored more goals, it could have been a bit more comprehensive.”
Graham set up Jonathan de Guzman for Swansea’s second goal in the win when his shot was spilled by Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul into the path of the on-loan midfielder.
A late Demba Ba header made things difficult for the Swans in injury time but Laudrup’s side held on for their first win in the road since the opening day of the season.
“Thankfully Jonathan tucked it away,” added Graham. “Tim made a good save and but Jonathan did well to follow it up and that’s part and parcel of football.
“The most important thing is the three points to move us up the table.
“We’ve got two tough games at home. Liverpool had a good result on Saturday and obviously West Brom beat Chelsea.
“But we’ll go into those with a lot of confidence now
