Phil SumblerThe Swans head east to Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon in search of that elusive first derby league double to follow up on the 3-0 victory earlier this season in SA1.
More than 100 years have passed since the two rivals of South Wales first did battle in league fixtures and it still seems an incredible statistic that neither has managed to achieve that league double, something the Swans will want to do on Saturday.
In the last 10 seasons the two sides have been in the same division, the Swans have headed into the second fixture of the season as the only side who has a chance to break that streak but with 3 draws and 4 defeats being the result of that second fixture the record has remained intact. And that is something that Russell Martin and his side will want to address on Saturday and put a high spot in the middle of what was always deemed to be a season of transition.
Flynn Downes experienced his first taste of South Wales derby action back in that fixture in October and he is ready for a second taste on Saturday as he explained to the Swans official site yesterday.
“It is an incredible occasion, and it’s incredible to think that no-one has ever done the double,” said Downes.
“But that just tells you everything about the fixture and the rivalry.
“With all of the challenges we have had across the season, when the fans have stuck with us, to do the double would be very special.
“It’s a chance to make history, and you don’t get many opportunities to do that in a career.
“I’ll be honest and say I did not realise just how big it was until I moved down, and I loved my first experience of it earlier this season.
“Everything about it was spot on, the atmosphere, the build-up. So, I am looking forward to it, I can’t wait for it.”
