Tammy upbeat ahead of Baggies test

6th April
First team

Tammy Abraham is backing himself to deliver if he is given a starting chance at West Brom this weekend.

Swansea City will go in search of only their third away Premier League win of the season when they take on the struggling Baggies at The Hawthorns on Saturday (3pm).

Their last travelling triumph was at Watford at the end of December – which was also the last time Abraham started in the top flight.

The on-loan Chelsea striker picked up an injury that day and has since seen his path to the first team blocked by the in-form Jordan Ayew.

With Ayew suspended, his older brother Andre started up front at Manchester United last time out.

But it was after Abraham came on at half-time that the Swans caused United problems, hence the England man will hope for an opportunity from kick-off at West Brom.

“For me it’s all about staying positive,” Abraham said.

“It has been a tough few weeks for me as I’ve not been in the starting XI, but I am someone who always believes in myself and the team.

“The team has been getting good results, so that means it has been tough to change the team, which I understand.

“But I am always hoping for opportunities and when they come I try to take them.”

Abraham has seven goals this season, but is hungry to add to that tally before he returns to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

He was unlucky not to do that at Old Trafford, where he was twice denied by brilliant David De Gea saves, and will hope for more fortune if he features against West Brom.

The Baggies are bottom of the league having lost eight successive top-flight matches, but the Swans are bracing themselves for a stern test.

“I expect them to come out fighting,” Abraham said.

“But for us it’s about going out all guns blazing because they are in a difficult position.

“They will be looking to bounce back from a tough run of results and to kickstart their survival bid.

“A win would be massive for us, but we are well aware of how tough it will be.

“People can look at their results and think we should win the match, but it’s not as simple as that.

“We have done a lot of good work under the new manager, but we are well aware that we are nowhere near safe yet. There’s a lot of hard work to do and points to collect.

“It’s not about the beautiful game for us right now – it’s time to fight for points.”