Planet Swans ArchivesFifty five league derbies have passed before between the two sides but for the first time they will meet in the top flight following Cardiff’s promotion last season. It’s been two years since a derby and for some that will have been too long but tomorrow that gets corrected and the two sides head off in search of the bragging rights that always await the winners.
For Cardiff they will hope that home advantage serves them well but will know that the Swans have only been beaten once in their last seven visits to play their neighbours whilst the Swans will hope that their two seasons in the Premier League and they status as match favourites will e the deciding factor in them bringing three points back down the M4 at the end of the game.
For both sides supporters the thought of defeat is a painful one and if there is a positive then for at least a week the side that wins can claim to be the best team in Wales through both the one off result and the league position.
In the stands it will be a sell out occasion at the Cardiff City Stadium with the Swans backed by their vocal following of over 2000, each and every one of them escorted from the Liberty to the Cardiff City Stadium by one of the biggest turnouts that South Wales Constabulary ever see. Cardiff will be backed by 25000 of their own and the banter between the two sides will be loud and proud from both sets of supporters.
From the white half of South Wales expect to hear plenty about the Swans current European campaign and jibes about the loss of Cardiff’s identity since they changed their colours from blue to red. Add in a few chants no doubt about Painters and decorators together with the renditions of Hymns and Arias and the Swans will be right behind their team.
Cardiff have been waiting for us since May apparently as Mark Hudson told us in their promotion celebrations and the usual gypos chant will rise out of the home end together with a few more no doubt as they look to get behind their team and hopefully spur them onto victory.
Malky’s team talk has been delivered by Leighton James if you believe the South Wales Echo but the Cardiff manager is more shrewd than that and he will spur his team on in the way he normally does whilst on our side Michael Laudrup will be as calm and collected as ever and get his side ready for the derby hoping that our footballing skills will shine through.
Whatever happens in the game itself we know that the atmosphere will be intense and to the millions watching around the world this is the chance for South Wales to showcase itself as a footballing venue through the action on the pitch which is what will provide the talking points come Monday morning.
I have to say that I love and hate derby day with an equal passion. I really do dislike the hype that surrounds the game in the build up to it but I love the electric atmosphere of the game itself and that is why 4pm on Sunday cannot come quick enough for me.
May the best team win. And of course the best team is Swansea… 😉
