Norwich City vs Swansea City preview - Garrido not up for going down

Posted Saturday, April 06, 2013 by PA

Javier Garrido has experienced the pain of relegation and is determined not to repeat it this season with Norwich.

The Spanish defender was a key member of the Real Sociedad team dumped out of La Liga in 2007 and he suffered a double blow when he was then forced to leave his beloved first club to balance the books.

Garrido is determined not to revisit such heartache with Norwich, who lie in 14th place - just four points above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining.

The Carrow Road club - who host Swansea in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday - have won just once in their last 14 matches and Garrido, who played 86 times for Real Sociedad before moving on to Manchester City, said: "Unfortunately I got relegated and it was a black point in my career. It was very disappointing for everyone, including the supporters.

"Now I think we need six more points, 40 points will be enough, maybe less. The perfect thing would be to win two or three more games. The most important thing, though, is to have the sensation of winning this game. If we won we would breathe better

"The mentality is to go out to win. Norwich have to beat Swansea. From the first minute we need to show we are footballers. The players and the fans want to play in the Premier League next season. It is one thing to be in the Premier League where everything is perfect, it is another thing to be in the championship."

Garrido is currently on loan from Italian club Lazio but he can see his future at Carrow Road.

"I feel so comfortable here," said Garrido. "Personally I would love to stay here because I am happy.

"But we need to improve, We have quality up front. When the team don't score the focus is on the strikers but everyone has to help the strikers to score. We need to score more goals."

Chris Hughton's side, in fact, have scored just five times in the league this year and 28 in all this season with only Stoke (27) having scored fewer in the Premier League.

Garrido remains upbeat, although he recognises League Cup winners Swansea, who are ninth in the table with 40 points, carry a considerable goal threat, especially from fellow Spaniard Michu.

"The team is confident," said Garrido. "The spirit is good and it will be a perfect time to play Swansea. It doesn't matter if we play good, the points are what are necessary, not just for us but for everyone at the bottom of the league. It is a very important three points for us.

"Michu has been brilliant for Swansea. They won a title and are in a comfortable position in the table. They play quality football. They do not need the points as much as us but they will come to show what they can do."

Home advantage is what Norwich, who beat Swansea 4-3 in the corresponding league game at the Liberty Stadium in December, believe will determine their fate and crucially four of their last seven matches are at Carrow Road where they have posted memorable victories this season.

Garrido said: "At home we have shown against Manchester United (1-0), Arsenal (1-0) and Everton (2-1) what a tough place it is to come."

Goalkeeper Mark Bunn returns to the Norwich squad after suspension and Alexander Tettey has recovered from a knee injury.

Manager Hughton added: "Our home form will be important. We have to use that advantage with the tremendous support. We need to give them something to shout about. It is a very big game."

Chico Flores and Angel Rangel are available for Swansea.

Centre-back Flores aggravated an ankle problem in the defeat to Tottenham, a match right-back Rangel missed due to a calf problem, but both players have returned to training and are set to be involved against the Canaries.

Kemy Agustien is also training after a thigh problem, while Neil Taylor is edging closer to a first-team return after his lengthy spell on the sidelines with a broken ankle.