Swansea City's Record Signing Feeling No Pressure

He may be the club's record signing at £3.5m, but Danny Graham says he's feeling no pressure ahead of the new Premier League season which kicks off for the Swans on August 15th at Manchester City.

The former Watford striker, and last season's Championship top goalscorer sounds like a confident man who has the self belief that he can continue his goalscoring form at the highest level in English football.

The 25 year-old revealed that he turned down the chances of joining either West Brom and QPR to team up again with Brendan Rodgers - having worked with him at Vicarage Road. The Scot told of the manager's enthusiasm and his style of play which attracted him to the Liberty Stadium.

Graham said they'll respect their opponents, but they won't fear anyone:

"We`re being written off and that`s standard for teams who have just come up.

"But that`s not a problem because it was the same for me at Watford last year when we were favourites to go down before a ball was even kicked - but then we surprised everyone and finished mid-table.

"This is a different club and a different division. but we can do the same thing. We will respect teams first and foremost - but we won`t fear them and we will go out there and play the kind of football we do, pass and move like we do. And if we do that we will surprise plenty of teams along the way.

"Sure, it`s going to be tough, but I`m also sure we will survive and shock a few people.

"I can`t wait. I made my debut at Old Trafford when I was younger at Boro and that left a taste in my mouth to get back to places like that.

Despite being Swansea City's record signing and being the main man to deliver the goals for us next season, Graham says he's feeling no pressure.

"Transfer fees are crazy these days so I`m not surprised I`ve become a £3.5m player, if I`m honest,"

"I`ve seen Shane Long linked for £8m so that shows what it`s like now.

"But £3.5m doesn`t bring pressure - £35m like Andy Carroll is pressure.

"I want to score goals and do it in the Premier League and Swansea have given me that chance and I want to repay them.

"I`ve been here before but I wasn`t experienced then - now I`ve come back and I`m not a boy anymore. I`m a man and I`m sure I can do well - and I`m sure the side will surprise."

Swansea City's opening match away at Manchester City will be shown live on Sky Sports, which means the game has been moved back to Monday 15th August at 8pm.

You can't get many tougher opening games than that says Graham, he added:

"It starts at Man City - and that`s a real welcome to the Premier League because there aren`t many bigger tests. They have big players, international players who aren`t just stars but superstars - but that won`t stop us going there to play our own game and go for that result like every game we go into next year.

"And we won`t be going there thinking about the money that their side has cost or who you`re facing or where the likes of me and some of the other lads who have come through the divisions have come from.

"If you do that, you`re fighting a losing battle because we have every right to be there. Yes, you respect the teams we`re up against next season but we are there to do a job and as soon as we cross that line you have to be in the zone about your own game and not who we`re playing - and that means going for three points.

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