Darren Pratley is looking for a happier day at the Valley than the last time he played there

Pratley's one and only Premier League appearance was made at the ground he will grace on Saturday although it was an unhappy day as his Fulham side lost 3-1.  Pratley was a sub that day with 16 minutes left to play and by the time he got onto the pitch Fulham were already three goals down.

And Pratley says the atmosphere that the Swans will face on Saturday will be a good one and that the team's opponents should be in the Premiership.  That said though he says the Swans will be there looking for a win on the day and that he is aiming to play week in week out this season despite heavy competition for places in the Swans midfield.

Speaking to the Evening Post season preview supplement, Pratley said "The Valley is a good ground and the atmosphere really good.  But it wasn't the best as far as Fulham were concerned that day because we were 3-0 down by the time I came on.

"Saying that there was no pressure on me at that stage and I managed to get on the ball quite a lot in the 20 minutes I was on.   I even managed to get involved in setting up our goal which was pleasing.

"It's strange that now, hopefullky, I'm going to get my Championship debut on the same ground where I played my first Premiership game.   Fingers crossed we'll get a better result this time."

Pratley is entering his third season at Swansea and is very much a first team regular at the moment and tipped to retain that position at the start of the season.   And the midfielder has no regrets in dropping down the league to kick start his career as he added "I was offered another contract at Fulham and I could have stayed there.  But while it was disappointing to drop out of the top division I felt I needed to get out and play regular first team football.

"I could have stayed and maybe played in the cups for Fulham and tried to break into the team.  But I came to Swansea because I knew it was a club with big potential.  The plan was to get into the Championship after one season.  Unfortunately that didn't work out but we're there now and I think that shows it was a good decision to leave Fulham.

"HopefullyI can play week in week out this season and things will keep on improving."

And finally looking at Charlton again "They are a good team and a good club, a club that should be in the Premiership in my opinion.  But we will be going there and looking for a win."

Photo: Action Images via Reuters