Capital One Cup: Title defence is special, says Michael Laudrup
Last updated on .From the section Swansea
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup says it will be special when his side begin their Capital One Cup title defence at Birmingham on Wednesday.
The Swans achieved the only major honour in the club's history when they beat Bradford City 5-0 in last season's final, clinching an Europa League spot.
Laudrup sees no reason why they cannot target another successful campaign.
"I think we all still remember last season, so for us it is something special," said Laudrup.
"Everybody still remembers the feeling of standing there with the trophy after winning against Bradford.
"We know the cup competitions are possibilities for smaller clubs to have success, you only need a few wins and you are in the semi-final.
"Last year we needed four wins, this season we come in a stage later so we only need three wins to get to a semi-final, we have to try and do that again."
The Capital One Cup title got the club into the Europa League, where they enjoyed a famous 3-0 win over Valencia at the Mestalla last week after winning through qualifying to reach the group stage.
But despite Swansea's current good form, Laudrup is refusing to take Birmingham for granted despite them being 18th in the Championship.
Birmingham are themselves League Cup winners, with their most recent success coming courtesy of their victory over Arsenal in the 2011 final.
"They are a strong Championship side and I think they will think as we do in this competition," he said.
"They reached the final and won this competition, they know it is possible and they will want to beat us to go there again.
"They know how nice it is to play at Wembley in front of 80,000 people and lift the trophy."
