Today's media round up
18th February
With only six days to go until the Swans' big game at Wembley, all the headlines are aimed towards the 24th of February and the Capital One Cup final. Former Swans keeper Roger Freestone spoke to BBC Sport regarding his Wembley memories. The South Wales Evening Post spoke to former Swans boss Brendan Rodgers ahead of the final as he declared: "I hope it is as good as the club's last trip to Wembley." Finally, the Guardian have brought up some interesting talking points regarding Swansea's priorities ahead of the cup final.
BBC Sport:
League Cup final: Swansea City's Roger Freestone's Wembley memories
Swansea's Capital One Cup clash against Bradford City on Sunday will not be the Welsh club's first appearance in a Wembley Cup final.
The Swans were in the third tier of the league pyramid when they reached the final of the Football League Trophy in 1994.
But that first Wembley appearance 19 years ago seems a world away from the club's present fortunes in the Premier League.
Huddersfield, managed at the time by Neil Warnock, were the opposition and Swansea's goalkeeper that day recalls the sense of expectation leading up to the game.
"It was a massive occasion for the city," said Roger Freestone.
"It was the first time we had ever been to Wembley and I think we took about 25,000 supporters that day.
"As players it was going to be a great day out for us. To play at Wembley, when you play in the lower divisions, is a great achievement."
South Wales Evening Post:
Rodgers backs Swans for more Wembley glory
Brendan Rodgers will keep his fingers crossed for Swansea City next weekend, declaring: "I hope it is as good as the club's last trip to Wembley."
Rodgers reckons Swansea will have to get their heads right after their mauling on Merseyside - and warns that Bradford City will be a tough nut to crack next Sunday.
But the Liverpool boss reckons Swansea's quality should be enough to see them lift a first major trophy.
"I suppose it's a role reversal for Swansea, who will be the team who are under pressure because they will go into the game as clear favourites," Rodgers said.
"I know (Bradford boss) Phil Parkinson well and he has done outstandingly well to get his team to the final. They have beaten Premier League sides before in this run and we have seen that the top clubs can have a hard time in the final - look at Liverpool and Cardiff last season.
"I think it will be a tight game but, if you look at the quality Swansea have in the team, hopefully they can replicate their last trip to Wembley and win it."
The Guardian:
Legends do not issue apologies easily but Michael Laudrup was sufficiently angered by Swansea's second-half collapse at Anfield to say sorry to the club's travelling supporters.
A 5-0 drubbing is no way to prepare for what Laudrup has called the biggest game in the club's history - Sunday's Capital One Cup final against Bradford City - and the manager admitted confidence could be dented ahead of that match at Wembley.
Laudrup accepted his share of the blame on account of his selection against Liverpool, showing seven changes from the team that beat QPR in Swansea's last Premier League outing.
The loss of Chico Flores to ankle ligament damage in that fixture clearly shaped the manager's thinking and, despite the impact on morale, Laudrup was correct to make wholesale changes.
A first major trophy and a place in Europe will be Swansea's should they defeat Bradford on Sunday.
Attempting to remain above Liverpool in the league table is inconsequential by comparison.
A 5-0 drubbing is no way to prepare for what Laudrup has called the biggest game in the club's history - Sunday's Capital One Cup final against Bradford City - and the manager admitted confidence could be dented ahead of that match at Wembley.
Laudrup accepted his share of the blame on account of his selection against Liverpool, showing seven changes from the team that beat QPR in Swansea's last Premier League outing.
The loss of Chico Flores to ankle ligament damage in that fixture clearly shaped the manager's thinking and, despite the impact on morale, Laudrup was correct to make wholesale changes.
A first major trophy and a place in Europe will be Swansea's should they defeat Bradford on Sunday.
Attempting to remain above Liverpool in the league table is inconsequential by comparison.
