Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Swansea City v Cardiff City - Match Preview
Swansea City v Cardiff City - Match Preview
Saturday, 4th Apr 2009 21:23

Battle lines have been drawn for the third time this season as Cardiff City prepare to host arch rivals Swansea at Ninan Park.

The Swans may have dropped down the table but are still within touching distance of a play off spot but with the margin of error growing ever thinner, even Swansea manager Roberto Martinez is still showing all the signs of hunger for the possible play-off fight ahead of him and his players as he outlined to the Western Mail, he said , “We can still get there with 72 or 73 points – to do that will mean very little margin for error but this is still a fantastic chance for us. As far as I am concerned, we are in a great position with six vital games ahead of us – all the ingredients to be very excited.”

He added “I don’t want to get into the play-offs just to say we finished in the top six.“If we get into the play-offs it’s because I want to win them and to do that you need to enter them on a strong run with your standards really high and to do that we are in a perfect position.”

“It is no good for us to get into the play-offs unless we get there on a good run. It’s the same for any team getting into the play-offs – they need to get there being as strong as they can be otherwise the play-offs are a lottery; it’s taken out of your hands and more often than not it ends in disappointment. That's why I’m not really looking at the points, the performance is vital. How we handle the occasion and how “

Tommorow's game at Ninan Park will mark the last derby clash to be staged at the 99 year old ground but for midfielder Leon Britton the chance to face Cardiff at the famous ground cannot come quick enough as he told the WM, he said “I would be gutted if I never got to play at Ninian Park before Cardiff move to their new stadium, you hear a lot about previous players going there and what the fans think of it and I want to sample all that.I’ve always wondered what it would be like to play there. And, whenever I come to Cardiff, it’s always a question of, ‘Where’s Ninian Park?’”

He adds “I want to see what it is all about there. I have heard all the tales and I’m looking forward to playing there.Everyone talks about Ninian Park having an intimidating atmosphere with the fans so close to the pitch,” he said. “I suppose it’s a bit similar to the Vetch.”

“It might not the most beautiful ground, but it works for Cardiff, like the Vetch did for us, because opposition teams won’t like going there. It’s a unique situation because there aren’t many grounds like it in the league anymore.We just have to rise above it, though. We know it’s going to be quite intimidating and, with the fans close to the pitch, there will be a lot of noise and abuse.
Should Cardiff secure all three points tomorrow then it would go some way in consolidating the Bluebirds play off place but those vital points are all that is in Dave Jones's mind he said “It is about three points, at the end of the day we need maximum points to keep our surge on in our quest to get out of this division. In that respect the only difference is that it’s a derby game which comes with passion and emotion. We want the points as much as Roberto will want them for his team. All the passion comes from the fans, but it is up to the players to go out and perform. “

“If we’re talking about trying to keep things calm then why bring things like that up. It’s crazy.We will go out in a professional manner and I am sure Swansea will be the same.Now we have to make sure we keep ticking along and that’s what I’ll be telling the players.It’s an important game for them just as much as us.”

“Everyone has to be responsible and just go out and play and that’s what we get paid for.We have to compete with them and be at our best as always. It has all the ingredients to be a good derby game, there will be lots of passion, lots of noise. But the tables are turned now in that we are at home and will have more fans and I am expecting them to make lots of noise.
“The Ninian Park factor always plays a part in what we try and do and I would not expect it to be any different on Sunday. There is edge in that it is a derby and you get every legend, every ex-player, coming out and talking about what it was like when they played, but Sunday is about us.”

The Injury Lists:

Cardiff: Gabor Gyepes will serve a one match ban after being receiving a red card against Sheffield United. Cardiff have been handed a boost with the news that Ross McCormack's suspension has been overturned by the FAW. Welsh midfielder Paul Parry is a doubt after a knee injury.

Swansea: Left back Alan Tate is in a race to be fit for the derby after his ankle injury whilst striker Jason Scotland is facing a late fitness test after his international exploits last week with Trinidad and Tobago.

Players To Watch:

Ross McCormack: With 18 goals to his name this term there can be no doubt that the Scot will be a huge threat to Swansea. His 48th minute penalty against the Swans five months ago threatened to spoil the Liberty party but Gorka Pintado's volley rescued a point for the homeside but discount the former Motherwell man at your peril.

Joe Ledley: Largely anonymous for the national side over the course of the week, Bluebirds fans will be hoping that the local lad who wears the Cardiff crest firmly on his sleeve will improve against Swansea.

Jason Scotland: Criticism will be again put at the door of the Trinidad and Tobago football association over the lack of match time that the former Dundee United man got under his belt over the course of two world cup qualifiers this week. However you can never discount the striker from making an impact over the course of the game.

Jordi Gomez: Writing himself into Swansea folk law against Cardiff in the Carling Cup last year the Spaniard has gained a whole host of admires including SPL outfit Celtic who are keen to sign the 23 year old from Espanyol. Creative, skilful and in possession of a powerful strike Dave Jones's side will have to stifle the midfielder so key to the system that Swansea chose to employ.

The Form Book:

Cardiff City: WLDWL

Swansea City: DWLLD

Man In The Middle/ Men On The Lines:
Referee: Mr M Dean
Assistant Officials : D Cann and M Scholes
Fourth Official S Tanner

Planet Swans Prediction: Cardiff City 0-0 Swansea City

based on predictions made in the members prediction league.

Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Norwich City Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024