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Season 20/21: The Official Cardiff City v Swansea City Match Thread
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swansnews
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The battle of Ninian Park
December 22 1993
Reporduced from Wales Online - 05 March 2014
Simon Chivers shudders at the thought of Wednesday, December 22, 1993.
Then the young Cardiff City fan was witness to one of the most notorious nights in derby day history as warring sets of Cardiff City and Swansea City fans clashed inside and outside Ninian Park.
The game was marred by Swans’ fans ripping out seats, Cardiff fans invading the pitch and running battles between both sets of supporters.
“I remember it vividly,” says Chivers, who is now a football intelligence officer with South Wales Police. “That’s the worst violence I have ever seen anywhere in my entire life.”
More than 20 years later and the situation couldn’t be more different. There’s not been any notable issues between the two sides for 16 years and the officer from Church Village intends it to stay that way.
Chivers, who was taken by his dad to his first match – against Rotherham United in 1986 – had been a regular fixture on the terraces at Ninian Park throughout the ‘90s and witnessed the violence that dogged the clubs for many years – to the point where Cardiff City was almost stigmatised by its own unwelcome reputation.
When he started out as a part-time police spotter in 2002, providing intelligence on fans to the South Wales Police football intelligence unit he was more than versed in the ebb and flow of matches, and so it was no surprise when he joined the unit full-time in 2006.
In those years he’s seen the club transform its fortunes – on and off the pitch. Cardiff City Football Club is unrecognisable from those dark days in the ‘90s, twice winning family club of the year in recent times and projecting an image that is a million miles away from the snarling beast of yesteryear.
Chivers attributes this startling transformation to two major factors: “Before, fans were seen very much as the problem and not part of the solution,” he says. “That isn’t the way it should be.
“I can accept that there were times, certainly through the ‘90s, when fans did misbehave but the flip side of that was that there were many forces around the country that had a ‘meet and beat’ attitude rather than a ‘meet and greet’ attitude.
“They treated Cardiff fans poorly and behaved poorly which causes a degenerating level of behaviour at away games. The Soul Crew (Cardiff’s notorious hooligan group) were relatively small in number, but they would be involved in situations and act as a catalyst to start other Cardiff fans off. Then you would have a lot of people misbehaving in one place.
“What the current intelligence regime has done is to say that the majority of people who are going to come to your town and city to watch Cardiff City are law-abiding people who if you treat them well will behave well.
“If you have a minority who don’t behave well, we’ll identify them and you can deal with the people who are not behaving and not have a problem with hundreds of people – just those few.
“The other side of that is the introduction of football banning orders has really worked when it comes to deterring people from violence at football matches. Many of the hooligans who used to follow Cardiff City are football fans first and foremost. They didn’t just go for a fight, they went because they loved the club.
“So the thought of first of all losing your liberty and secondly the thought of not being able to watch Cardiff for between three and 10 years (the varying levels of football banning orders) have put a lot of people off it.
“I suppose in the early ‘90s there was very little consequence unless you were very unlucky about being involved in that sort of stuff but it’s completely different these days.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_flvjrEHyc&t=16s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZxVmcxXRAM&t=18s
December 22 1993
Reporduced from Wales Online - 05 March 2014
Simon Chivers shudders at the thought of Wednesday, December 22, 1993.
Then the young Cardiff City fan was witness to one of the most notorious nights in derby day history as warring sets of Cardiff City and Swansea City fans clashed inside and outside Ninian Park.
The game was marred by Swans’ fans ripping out seats, Cardiff fans invading the pitch and running battles between both sets of supporters.
“I remember it vividly,” says Chivers, who is now a football intelligence officer with South Wales Police. “That’s the worst violence I have ever seen anywhere in my entire life.”
More than 20 years later and the situation couldn’t be more different. There’s not been any notable issues between the two sides for 16 years and the officer from Church Village intends it to stay that way.
Chivers, who was taken by his dad to his first match – against Rotherham United in 1986 – had been a regular fixture on the terraces at Ninian Park throughout the ‘90s and witnessed the violence that dogged the clubs for many years – to the point where Cardiff City was almost stigmatised by its own unwelcome reputation.
When he started out as a part-time police spotter in 2002, providing intelligence on fans to the South Wales Police football intelligence unit he was more than versed in the ebb and flow of matches, and so it was no surprise when he joined the unit full-time in 2006.
In those years he’s seen the club transform its fortunes – on and off the pitch. Cardiff City Football Club is unrecognisable from those dark days in the ‘90s, twice winning family club of the year in recent times and projecting an image that is a million miles away from the snarling beast of yesteryear.
Chivers attributes this startling transformation to two major factors: “Before, fans were seen very much as the problem and not part of the solution,” he says. “That isn’t the way it should be.
“I can accept that there were times, certainly through the ‘90s, when fans did misbehave but the flip side of that was that there were many forces around the country that had a ‘meet and beat’ attitude rather than a ‘meet and greet’ attitude.
“They treated Cardiff fans poorly and behaved poorly which causes a degenerating level of behaviour at away games. The Soul Crew (Cardiff’s notorious hooligan group) were relatively small in number, but they would be involved in situations and act as a catalyst to start other Cardiff fans off. Then you would have a lot of people misbehaving in one place.
“What the current intelligence regime has done is to say that the majority of people who are going to come to your town and city to watch Cardiff City are law-abiding people who if you treat them well will behave well.
“If you have a minority who don’t behave well, we’ll identify them and you can deal with the people who are not behaving and not have a problem with hundreds of people – just those few.
“The other side of that is the introduction of football banning orders has really worked when it comes to deterring people from violence at football matches. Many of the hooligans who used to follow Cardiff City are football fans first and foremost. They didn’t just go for a fight, they went because they loved the club.
“So the thought of first of all losing your liberty and secondly the thought of not being able to watch Cardiff for between three and 10 years (the varying levels of football banning orders) have put a lot of people off it.
“I suppose in the early ‘90s there was very little consequence unless you were very unlucky about being involved in that sort of stuff but it’s completely different these days.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_flvjrEHyc&t=16s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZxVmcxXRAM&t=18s
swansnews
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BLAST FROM THE PAST Part 3
Cardiff City 2 Swansea City 2
05 April 2009
The last derby at Ninian Park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDZl8r6cCR0
The Planet Swans Match Report
The referee - who had his head split open by a coin in the first half - pointed to the penalty spot after Ash Williams brushed against McCormack to the amazement of the travelling Jack Army who had watched just minutes earlier local lad Joe Allen fire in his first Swansea goal.
That Allen strike appeared to have given the Swans all three points in a hotly contested but reasonably even derby in which I guess on reflection the points being shared was a fair result even if it doesn't feel like that at this moment in time.
The bubble trip passed by without incident of note between the two sets of supporters with the 33 Swansea coaches leaving the Liberty shortly after 8am and returning just before 3pm with everyone visibly gutted by the final score. That said the 1650 supporters had been behind the side from the off and were loud and proud throughout the ninety minutes in what had been promised as an intimidating atmosphere.
McCormack's penalty was the second time the Swans had been pegged back with Chopra cancelling out Dyer's tenth minute opener that proved to be the only goal of the first half. The Swans were indebted at times to the brilliance of Dorus De Vries although Taylor in the home goal was also active as both sides went in search of the victory that they so badly wanted.
The Swans lined up after their two week break as follows
Dorus
Rangel Monk Williams Tate
Dyer Britton Gomez Pratley Gower
Scotland
There was little doubt for the first twenty minutes the Swans were in total control of the game with Gomez in particular at the heart of everything that went through the midfield whilst Dyer was an ever willing outlet on the right. And it was that outlet that produced the first goal as the on loan Southampton man started and finished the move that gave the Swans the lead.
View attachment Dyer Ninian Park.jpg
Cutting inside he passed to Scotland whose return pass was to perfection and despite the presence of Taylor, Dyer kept his composure and gave the Swans the lead. Cue a mad celebration in the visiting side of Ninian Park .
As Cardiff bid to come back into the game, it was the referee at the heart of the next indicent of note. Chopra flew in on Gomez and as the Swans player lay on the floor Garry Monk was questioning the dcecision with Mr Dean when he was struck with a coin thrown from the Cardiff end. TV pictures showed a cut on the head and the Sky Sports cameras picked him up at half time ensuring that they had seen the damage - case not closed but some credit to Cardiff City for picking out at least one guilty party before the game was out.
Dorus saved the Swans on more than one occasion in the first half keeping out McCormack and Bothroyd whilst Chopra hit the post as the home side went in search of the equaliser but it wasn't to be during an enthralling first half - no doubt helped from the Swansea perspective by having the lead at the interval.
The first chance of the second half went to Dyer after Taylor could only parry Gomez' shot but his effort was cleared off the line - a save that gave Cardiff some hope.
And that hope was turned into an equaliser shortly after as Chopra produced the equaliser. The Swans defence stood still appealing for offside as the ball was floated into the box where Bothroyd played it across for the Cardiff striker to have the easiest chance of the game to finish.
That led to the one period of the game where the Swans were under real pressure and most definitely on the back foot as the home crowd - it seemed from the away end to be for the first time - got behind their side and tried to get them the win they needed. Ledley's effort was the closest as the fingertips of Dorus pushed it around for the corner although the Swans were by this time getting hold of more possession in the hope they could get the win.
And it seemed with three minutes to go as if they may have managed it. Allen turned once, turned twice on the edge of the area and hit his low shot past Taylor to silence Ninian Park and give him his first ever Swansea goal - and what a time to produce it. Three minutes left, 2-1 up and the Swans only had to hold on for the three points.
View attachment Joe Allen Ninian Park.jpg
And they would have done had it not been for the intervention of Dean who amazed everyone when he pointed to the penalty spot to give McCormack the chance to send Dorus the wrong way and rescue a point for Cardiff.
The decision had so incensed Tom Butler that he was red carded after the final whistle in the protests but they were in vein as the Swans had to settle for a point.
Cardiff City 2 Swansea City 2
05 April 2009
The last derby at Ninian Park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDZl8r6cCR0
The Planet Swans Match Report
The referee - who had his head split open by a coin in the first half - pointed to the penalty spot after Ash Williams brushed against McCormack to the amazement of the travelling Jack Army who had watched just minutes earlier local lad Joe Allen fire in his first Swansea goal.
That Allen strike appeared to have given the Swans all three points in a hotly contested but reasonably even derby in which I guess on reflection the points being shared was a fair result even if it doesn't feel like that at this moment in time.
The bubble trip passed by without incident of note between the two sets of supporters with the 33 Swansea coaches leaving the Liberty shortly after 8am and returning just before 3pm with everyone visibly gutted by the final score. That said the 1650 supporters had been behind the side from the off and were loud and proud throughout the ninety minutes in what had been promised as an intimidating atmosphere.
McCormack's penalty was the second time the Swans had been pegged back with Chopra cancelling out Dyer's tenth minute opener that proved to be the only goal of the first half. The Swans were indebted at times to the brilliance of Dorus De Vries although Taylor in the home goal was also active as both sides went in search of the victory that they so badly wanted.
The Swans lined up after their two week break as follows
Dorus
Rangel Monk Williams Tate
Dyer Britton Gomez Pratley Gower
Scotland
There was little doubt for the first twenty minutes the Swans were in total control of the game with Gomez in particular at the heart of everything that went through the midfield whilst Dyer was an ever willing outlet on the right. And it was that outlet that produced the first goal as the on loan Southampton man started and finished the move that gave the Swans the lead.
View attachment Dyer Ninian Park.jpg
Cutting inside he passed to Scotland whose return pass was to perfection and despite the presence of Taylor, Dyer kept his composure and gave the Swans the lead. Cue a mad celebration in the visiting side of Ninian Park .
As Cardiff bid to come back into the game, it was the referee at the heart of the next indicent of note. Chopra flew in on Gomez and as the Swans player lay on the floor Garry Monk was questioning the dcecision with Mr Dean when he was struck with a coin thrown from the Cardiff end. TV pictures showed a cut on the head and the Sky Sports cameras picked him up at half time ensuring that they had seen the damage - case not closed but some credit to Cardiff City for picking out at least one guilty party before the game was out.
Dorus saved the Swans on more than one occasion in the first half keeping out McCormack and Bothroyd whilst Chopra hit the post as the home side went in search of the equaliser but it wasn't to be during an enthralling first half - no doubt helped from the Swansea perspective by having the lead at the interval.
The first chance of the second half went to Dyer after Taylor could only parry Gomez' shot but his effort was cleared off the line - a save that gave Cardiff some hope.
And that hope was turned into an equaliser shortly after as Chopra produced the equaliser. The Swans defence stood still appealing for offside as the ball was floated into the box where Bothroyd played it across for the Cardiff striker to have the easiest chance of the game to finish.
That led to the one period of the game where the Swans were under real pressure and most definitely on the back foot as the home crowd - it seemed from the away end to be for the first time - got behind their side and tried to get them the win they needed. Ledley's effort was the closest as the fingertips of Dorus pushed it around for the corner although the Swans were by this time getting hold of more possession in the hope they could get the win.
And it seemed with three minutes to go as if they may have managed it. Allen turned once, turned twice on the edge of the area and hit his low shot past Taylor to silence Ninian Park and give him his first ever Swansea goal - and what a time to produce it. Three minutes left, 2-1 up and the Swans only had to hold on for the three points.
View attachment Joe Allen Ninian Park.jpg
And they would have done had it not been for the intervention of Dean who amazed everyone when he pointed to the penalty spot to give McCormack the chance to send Dorus the wrong way and rescue a point for Cardiff.
The decision had so incensed Tom Butler that he was red carded after the final whistle in the protests but they were in vein as the Swans had to settle for a point.
swansnews
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BLAST FROM THE PAST Part 4
Swansea City 1 Cardiff City 0
23 September 2008
Gomez lights up the first derby at the Liberty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGV8j7lQFbI
The Planet Swans match report
Gomez smashed home a free kick twelve minutes into the second half to give the Swans a deserved lead in a pulsating game at the Liberty.
The Swans were excellent value for the win having been in charge for a very large proportion of the game and the one goal scoreline probably flattered the visitors more than the home side.
To cap a miserable night for the Bluebirds they had Steve McPhail sent off 15 minutes from time for a second bookable offence as their hopes of a Carling Cup run to match their FA Cup run of last year faded in the Liberty night.
The best - by some distance - atmosphere the Liberty had seen was a credit to both clubs with the Swans end in full voice all around the stadium as they backed their side with a passion sadly lacking on too many occasions.
View attachment Gomez Scores.jpg
And on the pitch the Swans kept their heads whilst Cardiff - by their own admission - lost theirs with a clutch of bookings as well as the red card for McPhail.
Roberto had sprung possibly the first surprise of the evening with minimal changes and sent a line up out as follows
Dorus
Rangel Monk Williams Bessone
Britton Bodde Gomez
Gower Scotland Butler
Cardiff probably had the best of the early exchanges and could have taken the lead when McPhail headed over when well placed and Boothroyd also had a good chance early doors but that was as good as it got for them as Swansea gradually gained control of the midfield.
Leon Britton was his usual brilliant self and ably supported by the duo of Bodde and Gomez as the Swans took more and more control and could have taken the lead when Enckleman saved well from Gomez.
The Swans were now pressing strong and Gower, Butler and Scotland were combining with the terrific trio in midfield to cause Cardiff all sorts of dangers whilst Garry Monk was mopping up every long ball clearance as the bluebirds struggled to control the Swans attacks.
View attachment Mcphail off.jpg
Half time came and went goalless and it started to seem as if it could be one goal that settled matters. And so it proved as Gomez fired in a free kick that deflected off Rae's foot and gave Enckleman no chance and the Liberty rose in a wall of noise as the away end sat motionless.
Cardiff's response was to take off Ledley - who was never in the game - and replace him with Whittingham but it made no difference to the pattern of play as the Swans attacks became more frequent and often more dangerous.
McPhail was warned in front of Darren Purse that he was on last chance saloon three minutes before he bought down Gomez and the second yellow meant a red and a long walk back in front of a hostile Liberty crowd. Bodde curled the free kick just wide but it made little difference as this was Swansea's night - and most definitely so.
Injury time came and went and with it any chance Cardiff had of getting back into the game. Bragging rights were Swanseas together with the place in the last 16 of the Carling Cup.
And this was a sweet victory and one totally deserved on an excellent night for football at the Liberty.
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View attachment Carling Cup 3.jpg
Roberto Martinez
Dave Jones
Swansea City 1 Cardiff City 0
23 September 2008
Gomez lights up the first derby at the Liberty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGV8j7lQFbI
The Planet Swans match report
Gomez smashed home a free kick twelve minutes into the second half to give the Swans a deserved lead in a pulsating game at the Liberty.
The Swans were excellent value for the win having been in charge for a very large proportion of the game and the one goal scoreline probably flattered the visitors more than the home side.
To cap a miserable night for the Bluebirds they had Steve McPhail sent off 15 minutes from time for a second bookable offence as their hopes of a Carling Cup run to match their FA Cup run of last year faded in the Liberty night.
The best - by some distance - atmosphere the Liberty had seen was a credit to both clubs with the Swans end in full voice all around the stadium as they backed their side with a passion sadly lacking on too many occasions.
View attachment Gomez Scores.jpg
And on the pitch the Swans kept their heads whilst Cardiff - by their own admission - lost theirs with a clutch of bookings as well as the red card for McPhail.
Roberto had sprung possibly the first surprise of the evening with minimal changes and sent a line up out as follows
Dorus
Rangel Monk Williams Bessone
Britton Bodde Gomez
Gower Scotland Butler
Cardiff probably had the best of the early exchanges and could have taken the lead when McPhail headed over when well placed and Boothroyd also had a good chance early doors but that was as good as it got for them as Swansea gradually gained control of the midfield.
Leon Britton was his usual brilliant self and ably supported by the duo of Bodde and Gomez as the Swans took more and more control and could have taken the lead when Enckleman saved well from Gomez.
The Swans were now pressing strong and Gower, Butler and Scotland were combining with the terrific trio in midfield to cause Cardiff all sorts of dangers whilst Garry Monk was mopping up every long ball clearance as the bluebirds struggled to control the Swans attacks.
View attachment Mcphail off.jpg
Half time came and went goalless and it started to seem as if it could be one goal that settled matters. And so it proved as Gomez fired in a free kick that deflected off Rae's foot and gave Enckleman no chance and the Liberty rose in a wall of noise as the away end sat motionless.
Cardiff's response was to take off Ledley - who was never in the game - and replace him with Whittingham but it made no difference to the pattern of play as the Swans attacks became more frequent and often more dangerous.
McPhail was warned in front of Darren Purse that he was on last chance saloon three minutes before he bought down Gomez and the second yellow meant a red and a long walk back in front of a hostile Liberty crowd. Bodde curled the free kick just wide but it made little difference as this was Swansea's night - and most definitely so.
Injury time came and went and with it any chance Cardiff had of getting back into the game. Bragging rights were Swanseas together with the place in the last 16 of the Carling Cup.
And this was a sweet victory and one totally deserved on an excellent night for football at the Liberty.
GET IN!!!
View attachment Carling Cup 3.jpg
Roberto Martinez
Dave Jones
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KOREY SMITH RELISHING FIRST TASTE OF SOUTH WALES DERBY
Source: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/korey-smith-relishing-first-taste-south-wales-derby
Korey Smith is eager to get his first taste of South Wales derby action this weekend, and try and make sure it is Swansea City and the Jack Army who have smiles on faces comes Saturday evening.
While Smith will be face Cardiff for the first time in Swans colours, he is no stranger to taking on the Bluebirds in derby action.
Smith played in a number of Severnside derbies during his time with Bristol City, but he knows that this contest will be on another level.
"I've had a lot of messages about this game since I joined,” said the midfielder.
“Everyone at the club says how much this obviously means to the supporters and players. We'll be looking to go to their stadium and get the win to make everyone happy.
"When I was at Bristol City, we played against Cardiff and it's a derby, but it's not as big, or as important to people, as this.
“Derbies are funny games. Form goes out of the window, positions go out of the window - you can have one team top of the league and one at the bottom, but anything can happen in a derby.
“You've got to stick to the way you play, you know you're going to be in a battle and must win your individual ones.
“You've got to stay solid and try to win the game - no matter how you do it, you must win it.”
This weekend’s derby will sadly have no supporters present due to Welsh Government measures related to the coronavirus pandemic.
And, with that in mind, Smith and his team-mates are more desperate than ever to make sure the Jack Army have plenty to smile about following Saturday’s meeting at Cardiff City Stadium.
“We want to not only win and keep our good form going and stay in the top half of the table, but make our fans happy,” he added.
“Our aim is to get the win for all the people at home that can't come. It's away but hopefully when the home leg comes around, we'll have all our fans back and behind us. We've got our fingers crossed for that.”
Source: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/korey-smith-relishing-first-taste-south-wales-derby
Korey Smith is eager to get his first taste of South Wales derby action this weekend, and try and make sure it is Swansea City and the Jack Army who have smiles on faces comes Saturday evening.
While Smith will be face Cardiff for the first time in Swans colours, he is no stranger to taking on the Bluebirds in derby action.
Smith played in a number of Severnside derbies during his time with Bristol City, but he knows that this contest will be on another level.
"I've had a lot of messages about this game since I joined,” said the midfielder.
“Everyone at the club says how much this obviously means to the supporters and players. We'll be looking to go to their stadium and get the win to make everyone happy.
"When I was at Bristol City, we played against Cardiff and it's a derby, but it's not as big, or as important to people, as this.
“Derbies are funny games. Form goes out of the window, positions go out of the window - you can have one team top of the league and one at the bottom, but anything can happen in a derby.
“You've got to stick to the way you play, you know you're going to be in a battle and must win your individual ones.
“You've got to stay solid and try to win the game - no matter how you do it, you must win it.”
This weekend’s derby will sadly have no supporters present due to Welsh Government measures related to the coronavirus pandemic.
And, with that in mind, Smith and his team-mates are more desperate than ever to make sure the Jack Army have plenty to smile about following Saturday’s meeting at Cardiff City Stadium.
“We want to not only win and keep our good form going and stay in the top half of the table, but make our fans happy,” he added.
“Our aim is to get the win for all the people at home that can't come. It's away but hopefully when the home leg comes around, we'll have all our fans back and behind us. We've got our fingers crossed for that.”
JackFish
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Blackpooljack said:
Yeah exactly. Naughton's done a decent job as one of the three centre halves and Latibaurie looked decent on Tuesday, but you know that Cardiff are just going to lump it up to Moore all game, and the best three to deal with that would have been Guehi, Bennett and Cabango. Unfortunate that we'll only have one of them available by the looks of it.
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STEVE COOPER | WE KNOW WHAT A DERBY WIN WOULD MEAN TO OUR FANS
Source: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/steve-cooper-we-know-what-derby-win-would-mean-our-fans
Steve Cooper admits the absence of fans will make for a very different South Wales derby this weekend, but insists that only adds to the desire to give Swansea City supporters something to celebrate.
For the first time in the 108-year history of the fixture there will be no supporters of either side present at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
The Welsh Government’s stance on measures relating to the coronavirus pandemic means fans are not yet able to return to stadia, and means there will be no repeat of the fantastic atmosphere at last season’s pair of derby games.
But, with so many going through hardship due to the impact of Covid-19, Cooper knows just how much joy a derby victory could bring to supporters, even if they cannot attend.
“It will be different in terms of the game and atmosphere,” he said.
“They were electric atmospheres last season, as anyone who was there will tell you, so we can’t shy away from it, it is different.
“That’s why you cannot compare with previous seasons or previous games.
“But is a game that means an awful lot to supporters, it’s one we really want to win and one we want to really commit to and attack.
“It is for the supporters. I want them to see a team working hard and giving their best because football is so important to so many people.
“It will be a perfect chance to give a bit back and we will be committing to that.”
Source: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/steve-cooper-we-know-what-derby-win-would-mean-our-fans
Steve Cooper admits the absence of fans will make for a very different South Wales derby this weekend, but insists that only adds to the desire to give Swansea City supporters something to celebrate.
For the first time in the 108-year history of the fixture there will be no supporters of either side present at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
The Welsh Government’s stance on measures relating to the coronavirus pandemic means fans are not yet able to return to stadia, and means there will be no repeat of the fantastic atmosphere at last season’s pair of derby games.
But, with so many going through hardship due to the impact of Covid-19, Cooper knows just how much joy a derby victory could bring to supporters, even if they cannot attend.
“It will be different in terms of the game and atmosphere,” he said.
“They were electric atmospheres last season, as anyone who was there will tell you, so we can’t shy away from it, it is different.
“That’s why you cannot compare with previous seasons or previous games.
“But is a game that means an awful lot to supporters, it’s one we really want to win and one we want to really commit to and attack.
“It is for the supporters. I want them to see a team working hard and giving their best because football is so important to so many people.
“It will be a perfect chance to give a bit back and we will be committing to that.”
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STEVE COOPER TO WAIT ON FITNESS OF DEFENSIVE DUO
Source: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/steve-cooper-wait-fitness-defensive-duo
Steve Cooper will give Ryan Bennett and Marc Guehi every chance to prove their fitness to feature for Swansea City in Saturday’s South Wales derby.
Bennett missed the games against Luton and Bournemouth having picked up a hamstring strain in the defeat at Middlesbrough.
Guehi, meanwhile, took a kick to the head against Luton and also sat out the game against the Cherries as he goes through the necessary concussion protocols.
And Cooper will make a late call on whether the two centre-halves can play a part at Cardiff City Stadium.
“Ryan has not played with a hamstring strain, so we are giving him every chance to be available for Saturday, we will know more tomorrow,” said the Swansea head coach.
“Marc is a bit different, he picked up a bang on the head and we are following the guidance on return to train and return to play.
“He could be fine for Saturday, but we want to be sure he is before we include him.”
Cooper also provided a positive update on Morgan Gibbs-White, who is a couple of weeks away from making a return to training after being sidelined since October with a fractured foot.
Source: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/steve-cooper-wait-fitness-defensive-duo
Steve Cooper will give Ryan Bennett and Marc Guehi every chance to prove their fitness to feature for Swansea City in Saturday’s South Wales derby.
Bennett missed the games against Luton and Bournemouth having picked up a hamstring strain in the defeat at Middlesbrough.
Guehi, meanwhile, took a kick to the head against Luton and also sat out the game against the Cherries as he goes through the necessary concussion protocols.
And Cooper will make a late call on whether the two centre-halves can play a part at Cardiff City Stadium.
“Ryan has not played with a hamstring strain, so we are giving him every chance to be available for Saturday, we will know more tomorrow,” said the Swansea head coach.
“Marc is a bit different, he picked up a bang on the head and we are following the guidance on return to train and return to play.
“He could be fine for Saturday, but we want to be sure he is before we include him.”
Cooper also provided a positive update on Morgan Gibbs-White, who is a couple of weeks away from making a return to training after being sidelined since October with a fractured foot.
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