Big confident words from the Palace loan man...
Hmm. It seems the last blog I posted was hasty, and that Tom Ince elaborated on his "we're looking for a win" statement...
"Swansea play nice football and did ever so well against Napoli - but will they be able to handle the threat we give them with Glenn Murray, Marouane Chamakh, Cameron Jerome, Yannick Bolasie, Jason Puncheon and myself? They will want to play their fluid type of football and be expansive - but look at the amount of times we counter-attacked West Brom.
"It`s different when you play Manchester United because they keep the ball so well. Swansea play similar but are probably not as effective - they haven`t got the Wayne Rooneys and Robin van Persies who, when you do give them the space, will kill you off. We have to nullify what Swansea do and then play our own game. I`m sure Swansea won`t be able to handle what we do.
"We`ve got some games we feel we can pick up some points. It probably will go down to the wire. But we`re confident that on our patch we can cause other teams problems. Against Manchester United you take it on the chin. Swansea will be a totally different kettle of fish this weekend.
"You always know when the top teams come here they are more bonus games for you. We gave it a go [referencing the recent defeat to Manchester United]. Up until the penalty it could`ve gone either way. We needed to hold on another 10-15 minutes and then it could`ve got exciting because the game would have opened up.
"The penalty was right on the edge of the box and the ref was close enough to see it. Unfortunately [Patrice] Evra takes a bad touch and Chams just doesn`t stay on his feet. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don`t. The referee was probably spot on. From then on Manchester United started to control the game.
"When the second went in it was difficult for us. You can`t give Wayne Rooney that type of space inside the box. My dad said you`ve just got to go and enjoy these games - don`t get too worked up and focused on the fact it is Manchester United.
"My dad, me and Ryan Giggs are good friends. With the history that me and Ryan have it was fantastic to play against him - he`s twice my age! It was a nice moment. I had a chat with him afterwards and he said 'you`ve just to keep working hard`. That`s what I`ll do.
"You have to move on. These games against the big teams are bonus ones. When you`re playing against the likes of Swansea, they are the kind of ones we`ll be looking to win.' Tom Ince
http://www.swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=350870#ixzz2uLIZIaY3
"I'm sure Swansea won't be able to handle what we do" - really Tom? Prior to reading these quotes I figured given our attempts to sign him he was liable to score against us, but now I'm thinking he's set himself up to fail. Those are awfully confident words Thomas, and it's hard to live up to that.
I wonder what words of wisdom his father will have for him ahead of our matchup this Sunday...