Purse: It Doesn’t Get Much Bigger

The Cardiff City captain was talking on Real Radio’s sports phone-in with his counterpart Garry Monk on Thursday evening.

With the derby looming large on the horizon the two captains were looking forward to the first league clash between the South Wales rivals for 10 years.

It will be a second taste of Derby action for Purse – he led his Cardiff team out in September in the Carling Cup in a game the Swans won 1-0.

Purse said “It doesn’t get much bigger and none of us can wait for that kick-off now.

“Looking back at the first game, we all know we didn’t do ourselves any justice and we deserved to lose it because Swansea were the better side. In fact, they could have won by more.

“We didn’t perform like we can – but I don’t think that’s because we took the game or Swansea lightly.

“At the time we were playing with a lot of confidence and we thought we would win the game and that’s what came out in the press, but we didn’t take it lightly and it was just that, in the end, the best team on the night won it.

“I actually thought we played really well for the first 20 minutes, but then we let ourselves and the fans down and we know this time we have got to produce better.

“And that gives us a little extra motivation – it’s three points, but it’s also about local pride and bragging rights.We felt we let the fans down last time so we want to give a performance to put that right.

“I’d say the game is very similar to the West Midlands derby that I’ve played in, the only big difference is the size of the crowds.

“I think there’s about 45,000- 50,000 for the Villa-Birmingham games, but in terms of the noise it isn’t any less. And it doesn’t matter how many are there because it means just as much.

“So of course we were disappointed with the first one, we all feel it if we lose any game.

“We’re absolutely gutted and it ruins my weekend – I don’t speak to my missus for two days. It’s an awful feeling that no-one wants and people have to remember that no-one walks out on that pitch wanting to lose.

“So of course it was disappointing to lose in the cup, but the league is our priority this year and on Sunday our priority is the three points. If we can perform better than last time too, then all the better.

“I have to say we wouldn’t be happy with just a top-10 finish.

“Every year I’ve been here we’ve been getting closer, but this year we need to get to the play-offs and, if we can get back to the form we were showing at the start of the season, we’ll have every chance.

“And I actually think the quality of the Championship has gone downhill over the last couple of seasons. It was certainly tougher when I started with Cardiff three or four years back, but I can’t give a reason for that.

“I think when you look at the squad, both sides are packed with talent.

“Ask the managers and I’m sure they’d say they wouldn’t swap their squads for anyone else’s. So, although it will be a battle on Sunday, I think the quality in the two sides is fantastic and will be there for all to see.

“I’m obviously very disappointed at being left out at the moment, but the manager is there to make decisions and, whether you agree with them or not, that’s football and you just have to get on with them.

“We made mistakes against Plymouth and I got punished – but you just keep your head down and work hard because you never know what’s around the corner.

“And, over the next couple of days, we’ll all be working on a couple of things, have an old versus young game on Saturday morning, where the worst player has to make the tea – Roger Johnson has lost out quite a lot recently and it’s cost him a few quid!

“But then we’ll stay at a hotel on Saturday night, like any away game, travel down together and be ready for it.”