Michu hoping lightning strikes twice

Michu will be hoping that lightning can strike twice at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon.

The Spaniard has been a revelation since his summer switch from Rayo Vallecano, netting 16 goals for the Swans so far in his debut season in English football.

The first two of those strikes came on the opening day against this afternoon's opponents, Queens Park Rangers.

That 5-0 win at Loftus Road was the perfect start for both the Swans - and Michu - in what is already shaping up to be a historic campaign.

But after failing to find the net in his last six outings, the striker is hoping that he can get back amongst the goals this afternoon. 

"I don't think about the goals," he said. "Against Stoke I didn't score and we won - and that is good enough for me.

"It's difficult for me to score at the moment but I'm working on it during training and I want to score more goals for Swansea.

"We are not finding the way to goal easy at the moment, teams are making it difficult for us. But hopefully today we can score a couple."

"Their team has changed a lot since the first game of the season. It will be a difficult game but I think we can find the spaces because they need to come here and win.

"If we win then we move on to 37 points and we are practically safe - that is much better for us."

Following a summer of change at the Liberty Stadium, most Swans fans could have been forgiven for predicting a tough start to the season.

When the fixtures were announced in June, Michael Laudrup's men headed to Loftus Road first up - a ground where they had never been victorious.

However, they went on to produce a five-star display and claim their biggest top flight win, with Michu grabbing the headlines.

And when you mention that win to him, he struggles to hide the smile on his face.

"They are good memories," he said. "I can remember the game perfectly and I often think about it.

"It's difficult to win in any league, whether it is La Liga or the Premier League - but to win 5-0 was amazing and something I'll never forget.

"It was a perfect start for me at Swansea, and I think it is still the best performance of the season so far.

Michu's goals have helped propel the Swans into the top half of the Premier League, and a place in the club's first major cup final.

Up there with his most memorable strikes have been his double against Arsenal at the Emirates, and his opening goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

But as he explains, his second strike against Queens Park Rangers on the opening day is the one he remembers best.

"It is my best goal so far this season," said Michu. "It was a great run from Wayne and he delivered a good pass for me and I managed to hit it first time.

"It was important because it was the second goal in the game and that allowed us to relax and go and score more.

"If I can score it's good. But if I don't I need to defend, assist and work hard for the team.

"Against Chelsea we drew 0-0, I had one chance but I was happy with the game. I worked hard, along with everyone else, to get us into the final."

Prior to last month's victory over Chelsea in the Capital One Cup semi-final, Michu signed a new contract at the Liberty Stadium.

After arriving in south Wales for a paltry £2million, the Spaniard has been regarded by many fans, players and pundits as the signing of the season.

16 goals later - and with a place at Wembley on the horizon - Michu admits that a trophy will cap a remarkable season after settling well by the sea.

"It's been great," he said. "I'm very happy here.

"The supporters have been great and so has everyone at the club - especially my team mates.

 "If we win the cup and get into Europe, that would be a perfect season for me."

Michu has always proclaimed his admiration for the Jack Army, with the club's loyal supporters following the Swans up and down the country in great numbers.

And as it ticks down to kick off at the Liberty this afternoon, one song in particular will be played on the PA system ahead of the first whistle.

'Hymns and Arias' has become synonymous with the Liberty in recent seasons and following promotion to the Premier League, the anthem can regularly be heard at grounds around the Premier League with the Jack Army in fine voice.

And Michu admits that it is a moment that he always listens out for.

"When the supporters sing just before the game, I get goose bumps," he said. "As soon as they sing I think that we need to fight for them for the 90 minutes. 

"You need to go back into the dressing room without an ounce left in your body - we have to fight for everything.

"They pay the money for the tickets and they deserve maximum effort from the players."

Michu admits that he is 'living a dream' playing for Swansea in the Premier League, a competition that he grew up watching as a youngster in northern Spain.

And after getting his big chance in English football's top flight, he is now looking ahead to the League Cup final against Bradford.

Many of his family and friends will make the trip over to watch the Wembley showpiece, and the Spaniard admits that it will be a dream come true to walk out at the home of English football.

"I enjoy every game, apart from when we lose," he said. "But we are playing well, we are in a good position in the league and are on our way to Wembley.

"That will be something special. Everyone talks about Wembley, especially when you were younger and you play football with your friends.

"If we go on to win the cup then it will be the first title in my career - and definitely the proudest moment."