Graham has returned to St James' on a number of occasions with previous clubs, but never finished on the winning side â until Saturday. "I've been back a few times," he said. "The first time I came back with Middlesbrough we drew. "We drew last year with Swansea and I drew there with Watford. "It's always a nice feeling winning football matches. "As a kid growing up, coming to the stadium and following the likes of Shearer and (Faustino) Asprilla, to be part on a winning team here is special." And the Swansea City striker played a key part in his Newcastle's downfall. With the visitors 1-0 up, Graham's shot was spilled by keeper Tim Krul and Jonathan de Guzman rifled home what proved to be the winning goal. "Thankfully Jonathan tucked it away," smiled Graham. "The atmosphere was incredible, but being a Newcastle fan, sitting in the stands watching them, it's always a good atmosphere. "To come and be part of a winning team here is special, especially with all the family sitting in the Newcastle end. "They obviously want me to do well, but they're mad Newcastle fans so I've got one over on them." Last weekend was not only a red letter day for Graham, it was also the first time Swansea had won at Newcastle for 32 years. And it was well deserved. The visitors played the more incisive football in the first half and should have made more of well-worked openings. Newcastle too squandered chances, but Swansea were generally well organised in defence. Last year Swansea achieved standout home results against Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool. The only thing lacking from the campaign was a big scalp claimed on the road. Already this season Swansea have beaten high profile opponents in Liverpool and Newcastle at their own grounds. "We had some great performances last year at home and we've had some great performances away from home this year as well," said Graham. "We drew with Chelsea at home, but away form is important. "To come to Newcastle in front of 50,000 Geordies and win is a massive lift for the club. "We put in a good performance and we could have scored more goals, it could have been a bit more comprehensive."
No rant. Do I rate the player? Yes Is £5m a good price? Yes Would his style suit our play? Yes Is his alliances with the mags a problem? Could become a major problem so yes Would he get a fair hearing from all fans? Not imo. He will have to work twice as hard to win over a lot of fans Is his signing a gamble? Not for football reasons as I do rate him as a player but a massive one if he struggles to get going. His mag love in past and present could become a very big stick to beat him with and could create huge headaches for Martin. Would I sign him? Would rather look elsewhere personally but with time fast running out, for £5m he isn't exactly going to break the bank either. I'll wait and see what happens and make my mind up after the Derby game.
Whether he is a toon fan or not, surely he will be professional and not allow any allegiance cloud his judgement?
As a mag there would be a hell of a difference scoring or winning for Swansea than there would be for Sunderland
This is my concern, chopra fluffed his chance! So the if he does come here does mart have a word in his shell like and tell him in no uncertain terms "son, you want to be a legend at this club or go down in history as an unprofessional twat? If you cant handle the situation dont play, your choice" Ps cheers for your other goals, **** this up and your brown bread and me possibly also? Think you ****er think!
I've lost track of the threads now but the "he'd better ****ing sign now" one had me hysterical, had to dissapear into the loo to compose myself at work, built and built and kept on building! Magnificent
Thing is tho for me it also shows a massive dissrespect for the fans - when Clarke was seen with the T shirt Peter Reid (cant remember the exact words) came out and said that the SAFC fans were not going to be treated like that and he was on his bike. Reid and the management identified the problem and sorted it quickly - this is just creating a problem
He was wearing a watford shirt at the time mate, anyone of us would say the same (begs the boyhood dream scenario though) this is why it has to be dealt with correctly, he could bang in 20 goals and miss a sitter against the scum, might never score again for us (death threats, abuse, windows out) i trust mon knows what he's doing, he's far from daft (a proffessor i understand in psychology)
Still don't think he is good enough, lacks the pace we need. We should be trying to sign a quick striker to play off Fletcher, someone like Walcott although obviously he would not come here.
No the picture was him in a Watford shirt who he played for before the Swans - does anyone know when the interview occured?
