Carragher praises Swans
Former Liverpool star and new Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes that last season's Capital One Cup success should make Swansea stronger this year.
In his column for Sky Sports, the ex-England international says that Michael Laudrup has taken the club to the next level after great work from previous management.
He said: "Rodgers got them promoted and learning about the Premier League but the new boss - who after being a top player has learnt his managerial trade in Russia and Spain - took it on, bringing in Michu, Pablo Hernandez, and the centre-half Chico, and winning the Capital One Cup.
"The belief from that cup success should make them stronger this year and they have spent a few bob, too, on the striker Wilfried Bony and Jonjo Shelvey, and I think they should be looking for another top-half finish this season."
Carragher goes on to say how he believes the Liberty Stadium is a "big weapon" for the Swans, and that the club's philosophy sets a great example for other clubs winning promotion to the Premier League.
"The Liberty Stadium is a big weapon for them because it is a ground with a great atmosphere," he said. "While as the Premier League is still pretty new for them, the fans are full of enthusiasm, and that really gives the Swansea players a lift.
"Swansea's philosophy is a great example to other clubs that you can play your own style in the Championship and keep doing the same thing when you get in the Premier League amongst better teams.
"A lot of managers make changes but Swansea, under both Rodgers and Laudrup, have stuck to their principles and been rewarded by staying up comfortably in their two seasons at the top level.
"The players, manager and chairmen deserve a lot of credit for that."
The Swans take on Carragher's former club Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night, with a kick-off time of 8.00pm.
The fixture will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, but on this occasion, Carragher, who made over 700 appearances for Liverpool, will be analysing the game from the studio, rather than out there on the pitch.
