09th January 2006
Trundle lure clincher for new boy Leon
Western Mail
NEW Swansea City signing Leon Knight has revealed the Liberty Stadium presence of Lee Trundle was one of the factors behind his £125,000 move from Brighton.
Knight, 23, has been seen in some quarters as a ready-made replacement for 17-goal Trundle should the Scouse hitman be tempted away during the January transfer window.
But Londoner Knight has scotched those stories by insisting that he has been recruited to partner and not replace Swans favourite Trundle, who is currently sidelined with sprained ankle ligaments.
"I've watched Lee for quite a few years now and I think he's an excellent player," said the former Chelsea trainee and England U20 cap.
"It's a shame that he's injured now, but it's another reason why I came here.
"Competition for places is good because it brings the best out of people and I'm looking forward to competing with all the strikers.
"I've got to work hard to find my way into the team when Lee comes back. Hopefully I'll do well when he's out and we can all share the load and score in the second half of the season."
Knight has a rich football pedigree having been brought up in the same London youth circles as England men Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe and then enjoying a two-year spell at the FA National School at Lilleshall.
Swans midfielder Leon Britton, with whom Knight ironically shares a birthday, was a fellow pupil before the 5ft 5ins striker headed to star-studded Chelsea to further his football education.
Breaking into the first team at Stamford Bridge proved beyond Knight, but loan spells at QPR, Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday followed before a £100,000 move and a three-year, goal-filled stay at Brighton.
"It's difficult to break through at somewhere like Chelsea, but you can't buy an education like that," he said. "I really enjoyed my time there.
"People might look at the number of clubs I've had at such a young age, but that's only because I was on loan from Chelsea.
"The gaffer obviously saw me at QPR when I was on loan there. He tried to sign me (for QPR) before I went to Brighton, but I'm just glad that he's shown an interest and followed my career.
"It's down to me to score goals and, if we get promoted, then the transfer fee will look like a bargain."
But why Swansea? With Championship clubs rumoured to be interested in a striker with 30 goals in just over 100 league appearances for Brighton, why has Knight dropped down to League One?
"The club is on the up and I want to be part of that. I'm not bothered about people saying that I've dropped down a league," he explained.
"We're looking to get promoted this season and hopefully we'll be in the Championship next year anyway.
"The club's ambitious and the gaffer is a young manager who looks to play football. When I spoke to my agent it seemed the right club and I can honestly say there was no thinking about anyone else.
"Swansea's got a new stadium and it's a lot different to what I've been used to at Brighton, what with the crowd and the facilities around the place.
"I wanted to play for a side I thought was going places, and I really believe that I've moved forward.
"I feel that strongly and now I've just got to make sure I do it on the pitch."
Knight struck 27 goals in Brighton's 2003-04 League One promotion campaign, including the winner against Bristol City in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium.
But his stay at the Withdean turned sour in recent months when he was played out of position out wide and had several well-publicised rows with Seagulls boss Mark McGhee.
However, Knight - who was reportedly thrown off the Brighton team bus prior to their game at Southampton last week after questioning team selection - dismissed the accusation that he is a difficult player to manage.
"No one's perfect, but I'm not a trouble-maker," said Knight, who has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Swansea.
"I'm only intent on causing trouble for the opposition's defence.
"The manager said when he signed me he only wants the truth from me. I was born and raised to tell the truth and that's what I intend to give him, the other players and the fans 110 per cent every time I go out on the pitch.
"The line has been drawn with Brighton.
"But it hasn't been a difficult time because nothing distracts me. That's just football, you move on.
"I'm just looking forward to playing well for Swansea, scoring goals and winning games.
"The aim now is to collect a few points over the next five months and get into the Championship.
"If chances get created, I've got to convert them. I've said it at all the clubs I've been at that if I get chances I will score goals.
"I've got faith in the manager and the chairman and it's exciting because they want to add players to the squad and the club can kick-on."
Knight should make his debut tomorrow against MK Dons - one of several clubs who wanted to sign him - and will probably partner Adebayo Akinfenwa in a classic little and large strike act.
And he hopes to make an instant impression in front of another substantial Liberty Stadium crowd.
"Coming to Swansea happened so quickly, but I'm glad it has worked out so smoothly," he said.
"Now I want to settle in, find my feet and start scoring goals very quickly because that's what I'm here for.
"I'll just be looking to impress and the manager will pick his team from there."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
08th January 2006
Trundle lure clincher for new boy Leon
Western Mail
NEW Swansea City signing Leon Knight has revealed the Liberty Stadium presence of Lee Trundle was one of the factors behind his £125,000 move from Brighton.
Knight, 23, has been seen in some quarters as a ready-made replacement for 17-goal Trundle should the Scouse hitman be tempted away during the January transfer window.
But Londoner Knight has scotched those stories by insisting that he has been recruited to partner and not replace Swans favourite Trundle, who is currently sidelined with sprained ankle ligaments.
"I've watched Lee for quite a few years now and I think he's an excellent player," said the former Chelsea trainee and England U20 cap.
"It's a shame that he's injured now, but it's another reason why I came here.
"Competition for places is good because it brings the best out of people and I'm looking forward to competing with all the strikers.
"I've got to work hard to find my way into the team when Lee comes back. Hopefully I'll do well when he's out and we can all share the load and score in the second half of the season."
Knight has a rich football pedigree having been brought up in the same London youth circles as England men Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe and then enjoying a two-year spell at the FA National School at Lilleshall.
Swans midfielder Leon Britton, with whom Knight ironically shares a birthday, was a fellow pupil before the 5ft 5ins striker headed to star-studded Chelsea to further his football education.
Breaking into the first team at Stamford Bridge proved beyond Knight, but loan spells at QPR, Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday followed before a £100,000 move and a three-year, goal-filled stay at Brighton.
"It's difficult to break through at somewhere like Chelsea, but you can't buy an education like that," he said. "I really enjoyed my time there.
"People might look at the number of clubs I've had at such a young age, but that's only because I was on loan from Chelsea.
"The gaffer obviously saw me at QPR when I was on loan there. He tried to sign me (for QPR) before I went to Brighton, but I'm just glad that he's shown an interest and followed my career.
"It's down to me to score goals and, if we get promoted, then the transfer fee will look like a bargain."
But why Swansea? With Championship clubs rumoured to be interested in a striker with 30 goals in just over 100 league appearances for Brighton, why has Knight dropped down to League One?
"The club is on the up and I want to be part of that. I'm not bothered about people saying that I've dropped down a league," he explained.
"We're looking to get promoted this season and hopefully we'll be in the Championship next year anyway.
"The club's ambitious and the gaffer is a young manager who looks to play football. When I spoke to my agent it seemed the right club and I can honestly say there was no thinking about anyone else.
"Swansea's got a new stadium and it's a lot different to what I've been used to at Brighton, what with the crowd and the facilities around the place.
"I wanted to play for a side I thought was going places, and I really believe that I've moved forward.
"I feel that strongly and now I've just got to make sure I do it on the pitch."
Knight struck 27 goals in Brighton's 2003-04 League One promotion campaign, including the winner against Bristol City in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium.
But his stay at the Withdean turned sour in recent months when he was played out of position out wide and had several well-publicised rows with Seagulls boss Mark McGhee.
However, Knight - who was reportedly thrown off the Brighton team bus prior to their game at Southampton last week after questioning team selection - dismissed the accusation that he is a difficult player to manage.
"No one's perfect, but I'm not a trouble-maker," said Knight, who has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Swansea.
"I'm only intent on causing trouble for the opposition's defence.
"The manager said when he signed me he only wants the truth from me. I was born and raised to tell the truth and that's what I intend to give him, the other players and the fans 110 per cent every time I go out on the pitch.
"The line has been drawn with Brighton.
"But it hasn't been a difficult time because nothing distracts me. That's just football, you move on.
"I'm just looking forward to playing well for Swansea, scoring goals and winning games.
"The aim now is to collect a few points over the next five months and get into the Championship.
"If chances get created, I've got to convert them. I've said it at all the clubs I've been at that if I get chances I will score goals.
"I've got faith in the manager and the chairman and it's exciting because they want to add players to the squad and the club can kick-on."
Knight should make his debut tomorrow against MK Dons - one of several clubs who wanted to sign him - and will probably partner Adebayo Akinfenwa in a classic little and large strike act.
And he hopes to make an instant impression in front of another substantial Liberty Stadium crowd.
"Coming to Swansea happened so quickly, but I'm glad it has worked out so smoothly," he said.
"Now I want to settle in, find my feet and start scoring goals very quickly because that's what I'm here for.
"I'll just be looking to impress and the manager will pick his team from there."
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08th January 2006
