Danny Graham admits he will relish taking on his boyhood heroes when Swansea face Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday.
Striker says Swans could make 'massive statement' at Toon
Danny Graham admits he will relish taking on his boyhood heroes when Swansea face Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday.
The Gateshead-born star was a 'die-hard' supporter of the Magpies as a youngster and now he will be aiming to make a statement when he returns with the Swans in front of his family and friends.
However, the former Middlesbrough, Carlisle and Watford forward will be hoping to ensure that he will be the only one laughing at the final whistle as he aims to secure three points which could take Swansea into the Premier League top half.
Graham said: "It is nice to go home and play against the club I supported as a kid but I am going there wanting to win and score if selected and to put one over on my friends and family.
"I was a die-hard fan as a youngster and I used to go every week with my family. Alan Shearer was my idol and I can remember the days when we were beating Barcelona with Faustino Asprilla scoring a hat-trick, but come Saturday that will all go out of the window.
"From tomorrow I will be switching my phone off because my mates will be giving me stick. I've already had a bit earlier in the week and I want to be fully focused in the build-up to the game."
Special
The 26-year-old bagged his fifth goal of the campaign as a substitute in last weekend's 2-0 home win over Fulham and he admitted that if he were to score the winning goal against Newcastle, it would certainly rank as one of the greatest moments in his career to date.
"It would be right up there," he said. "Making your debut is obviously very special but to go to the team I supported and score the winner in front of my friends and family would be very special.
"But I've said I don't want to know where my friends are sitting as I would end up doing something daft if I scored.
"It would be a massive statement for us to win up there and perform. Our home form has been superb, we are very solid and create lots of chances, so to go up to there and put on a performance would be massive and people may start to look at us as not such a small club."
