Ade’s set to face Sheriff
The Welsh club will put themselves on the verge of the last 32 of the Europa League with a third successive Group A win tonight following successes over Valencia and St Gallen.
But Laudrup sounded a note of caution having been on the receiving end of an upset during his playing days when CSKA Moscow dumped out his Barcelona side who were reigning European champions.
Laudrup said: “I remember that game because in May 1992 we won the Champions League at Wembley and then in the following November we had a play- off before going into the group stage.
“We played CSKA and drew 1- 1 away and were 2- 0 up after 30 minutes at home. But we lost 3- 2. It was a big surprise and it’s a good example for us. It shows that you have to be 100 per cent focused.
“We thought the tie was already done. But they scored the goals and went on in the competition. We can use that as Kuban, although they are not having a good season, are not a bad team.
“We are top of the group and want to win for lots of reasons as nine points gives us one foot in the knockout stages. We have two diffi cult away games to go in Russia then Switzerland so this is a key game for us.”
Goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel is set for a rare start in place of Michel Vorm and the German veteran echoed his manager’s view as Swansea prepare to face a side who have yet to earn a point.
Tremmel, 34, said: “If you see a player is not doing that well you can push him or motivate him. Sometimes players need a slap. I can assure you I will kick ass if people aren’t doing their jobs.
“We’re in a good position, but we’re not there yet. We have six points with another home game to come and if we win it then we’re almost there to get into the last 32.”
Laudrup added: “We’re at home, we’ll be favourites and we’re top of the group and want to win. Getting to nine points will give us one foot – maybe one and a half feet – in the knockout stage. I think 10 points should be enough to get us through, but we might need 11.”
Laudrup is without defenders Ashley Williams, yet to return after a month out due to an ankle injury, and Ben Davies, who has been ruled out for up to four weeks following a sprained ankle.
Davies’s lay- off allows fellow Wales left- back Neil Taylor to FORGOTTEN striker Emmanuel Adebayor is tonight set to make his Tottenham comeback in the ‘ country’ that might know how he feels – because nobody knows it exists.
Adebayor, above, is in line to play his fi rst outing this term against Sheriff in Transnistria, the self- declared country that is not recognised as one by any other nation and is instead viewed as a part of Moldova.
Spurs manager Andre Villas- Boas said: “Adebayor travelled and there is a chance he could be involved, but I am not sure if he is starting.”