Planet Swans ArchivesSmith – a league winner with Swansea City in 2000 – was warming up that day when the Cardiff fans arrived at the Vetch and – in his wordsย – “all hell broke loose”
It was the last time the two cities met in the league and Smith recalls the game, almost as if it was yesterday,
“It was all new for me. That incident during the warm-up made me understand pretty quickly what the game meant to Swansea and Cardiff fans.” he told the Evening Post
“It is a one-off game. There is a different feeling. It is far more intense.
“I was aware of the passion pretty quickly on the day.
“Boys like Kristian O’Leary and Jonathan Coates felt the passion of the supporters as they were Swansea born and bred.
“Before that game I felt the passion bounce off them, after it I shared it.
“The players have to be focused in these type of games,” he said.
“The fans will have looked at this game and nothing else for the past two months.
“Some games can be played at 100mph, but the players have to contain their excitement.
“They can’t run around like headless chickens. Some players will play with their hearts rather than heads.
“If you keep a cool head then you have a better chance of winning.
“The fans can play such a big part. If they create a huge atmosphere then the pace of the game will speed up.”
And a prediction?
“Roberto has done a great job at the club and I think Swansea can get a play-off spot,” said Smith.
“As for this weekend, I am going for a Swansea win, of course. I think it will be 2-1.”
