Phil SumblerMick McCarthy will get his first taste of a South Wales derby tomorrow but admits that it isn’t the same without the fans but knows that pride is still at stake.
McCarthy will bring his Bluebirds to the Liberty knowing that they have to avoid defeat if they are to escape being the first side to be on the end of a league double between the two sides.
No team in the previous 29 seasons where league clashes have been played have managed to complete a league double but that is something that Cardiff will be on the end of tomorrow unless they can avoid a defeat.
The Swans though will go in search of the win that not only will create history but will keep alive the promotion hopes that took a big dent in midweek with a 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
McCarthy has lifted Cardiff’s fortunes since he arrived at the club earlier this year and whilst they still have promotion hopes they have also faded in the last week with just one point from their last six pushing tomorrow close to being a ‘must win’ game for them.
McCarthy is looking forward to the game though and says that his side will be very much up for the challenge with Cardiff criticised by their own fans over recent derbies for not putting in the effort that the fans tend to demand from this kind of fixture.
“Everybody’s derby is the big derby, wherever you are, wherever you live,” McCarthy told the Cardiff official website. “Everybody has a derby game against somebody. This is the big game for us and it’s the biggest one, because we’re playing in it tomorrow.
“I used to love them as a player, playing in the big derby games, and I still love them as the manager.
“They always get the hairs standing up on the back of your neck. It’s a lot better with fans in, everybody knows that. But nevertheless, the pride is still at stake.
“The result still matters, the performance still matters and it still matters to the fans that, despite the fact they can’t be in the stadium, it’s their important match. I respect that and we have to do our very best in it.
“Nobody’s ever said to me that my team’s lacked heart and it certainly won’t be wanting on Saturday, that’s for sure.
“The only way you can affect the result is to look after your performance individually and collectively. If we play as well as we have, we can win it.”
The game at the Liberty kicks off at 5.30pm.
