Pardew: All-out finisher Graham big threat to Toon

Kate Bamber

NEWCASTLE manager Alan Pardew believes Gateshead-born striker Danny Graham poses one of the biggest threats when his side take on Swansea at the Liberty Stadium today.

The 26-year-old joined the Swans last July in a £3.5million move from Championship side Watford and has fired 10 Premier League goals so far this season.

Pardew revealed he was tipped off about Graham by ex-Watford boss Malky Mackay but decided not to bring the striker back to the north east as he did not know how he would fit into the Magpies' set-up.

However, the Newcastle boss was full of praise for the forward, who began his career at Middlesbrough.

"He's had a marvellous season," Pardew said. "He's done really well. We will have to be on our guard against him, because he's their out-and-out finisher.

"All that clever stuff they do when they keep the ball all ends with him scoring. So if you stop him scoring, it makes it difficult for them to score."

But Pardew denied he missed a trick in not signing him at Newcastle.

Bill

"I wouldn't say he got away," Pardew said. "We just didn't have enough on him. We couldn't do enough work in terms of whether he was going to fit the bill for us."

Newcastle were to approach this afternoon's game on a three-match winning run, while Swansea have lost their last two league fixtures against Tottenham and Everton.

However, Pardew hailed several Swans players who he believes have not enjoyed enough plaudits following their success in the top flight.

"You have to say that Swansea have attacked the game and ... done it admirably," Pardew said.

"Some of those players deserve a lot more praise than they've been getting -- Leon Britton, Scott Sinclair, Ashley Williams, they've been absolutely outstanding."