Laudrup eyes repeat of cup heroics
Michael Laudrup is hungry for more success in the Capital One Cup as the Swans begin their defence of the trophy against Birmingham tomorrow night.
The Swans travel to St. Andrew's stadium on Wednesday evening to play the Blues in the third-round of the Capital One Cup with fond memories of last season's cup success still fresh in the mind.
In light of last season's triumph, the Swansea boss claims his side will try to win the cup again this season.
He said: "We all remember last season in this competition, so for us it's something special.
"I told the players last season that the cup is a possibility for smaller clubs to have success. You only need a few wins and you're in the semi-final, so we have to try and do that.
"I think everybody still remembers that feeling, standing with the trophy after winning against Bradford.
"Birmingham are a strong side. I think they will think the same way as I do.
"They've reached the final and won this competition, so they know it's possible. They will try to beat us to get there again.
"As I said, in their case, they already know it's very nice to play at Wembley and, like in our case, even win the trophy."
Despite Swansea's participation in four competitions this season, Laudrup insists he will field a competitive side in tomorrow's fixture, and believes last week was evidence of the squad's strength in depth.
"I see it as a game that we want to win," said the Great Dane. "Why go into a game or into a competition saying 'I don't care?'
"I do care, and we want to win it. Maybe we end up losing tomorrow, I don't know, but we go into the game with a competitive team.
"Even if we make changes, we still have a competitive team because we have depth in our squad.
"We made five changes from Liverpool to Valencia, and another five changes from Valencia to Crystal Palace.
"Not because I want to make five - it could be three, two or six - but because it shows that there is a lot of depth in the squad.
"It's looking at the players and thinking, when can I give him a break, or when do I have to.
"If a player plays too much, he can get a hamstring injury and then he's out for three or four weeks, and then you will lose him for six or seven games anyway."
Meanwhile, Laudrup confirmed that Pablo Hernandez and Ashley Williams will both be absent from tomorrow night's game.
He added: "It's a little early for Pablo, and Ashley's ankle is not good.
"We have to be careful with everyone, but especially our internationals. When the rest have a break, the internationals have to play another two games. But apart from these two, the rest should be ok."
