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Michael Laudrup targets "historic" top-half finish

Laudrup targets
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Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup targets a top-10 finish in the Premier League to cap a "historic" first season at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup has insisted that his team will fight for a top-10 finish in the Premier League to cap a historic season.

Laudrup's side sit just inside the top half of the Premier League with seven games to play, following a 2-2 draw with Norwich City last weekend.

The Dane has admitted that he will struggle to match expectations next year, but will be content with a top-10 finish in his first season as boss.

He told The Guardian: "Like a lot of teams, for us the target at the start of the season is to reach 40 points. That means you should be safe and, when you get there, you have to set a new target and for us that should be a top-10 finish. Top 10 plus the cup would be historic for Swansea.

"The people in Swansea are very realistic but you must also accept that, when you get the taste of success, you like it and want more. You don't want to be down at the bottom. It will be very difficult for me, the club and players to say in August that, if we can finish the season in 17th with 40 points, then that would be a success.

"Maybe it would be because we are still one of the bottom clubs in terms of transfers and salaries but it would still be hard to say that. It will be a difficult year for us next year and that's why we must do well in the transfer window and keep as many of our important players as possible."

Swansea will be looking to end a run of four games without a win in their next match, a clash with in-form Southampton at the Liberty Stadium.

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Swansea City's Luke Moore celebrates after scoring against Norwich on April 6, 2013
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