The general feeling across the way near England is that this weekends fixture between Swansea City and Cardiff is a nailed on three or four goal win, it’s there across social media. This could easily happen, the Swans have done it on numerous occasions in recent years. Of course Cardiff have not, but they seem to believe they will.
How they have dealt with the regular beatings the Swans have given them recently, plus the two double seasons, and still have a feeling of superiority is quite amazing. You can’t fault their enthusiasm after all they have been through. You can see it’s the hope that is killing them. One 2-0 win against possibly the poorest Swansea side to take to the field in years was the catalyst for this. Only two victories for them in ten is the record. The seven Swans wins in that time and double figures in goals seems somewhat forgotten.
In their manager, Erol Bulut they do have a man who has guided them away from a very poor run of form to four wins on the bang, he is conjuring up his own rabbits this week, "The connection to the fans is always important; they are the twelfth man on the field for us. Even when we had a bad run of form, they were supporting the team perfectly and I said to the team we have to give something back. The last weeks have been going really well and we are trying to give something back. We have to keep going forward and working together and I believe things can get much better. When we look back to the start of the season and now, there has been a huge step forward and we’ve really progressed.”
I’m not entirely sure about his claims they have been supporting the team ‘perfectly’ there’s plenty of internet time stamps stating most wanted him sacked. He seems to know Swansea as well, "I think there’s pressure on both sides. Of course, on Swansea’s side, they lost the derby against Bristol and they lost against us. Their recent form hasn’t been great, so they are going to want to prove something to their home fans.”
It’s that superiority after one derby win in years that is baffling. And it’s Bristol City not Bristol.
We can of course only go on what is here and now, and we have discussed this week the players attitude to this fixture. They are extremely young men in the main, and their lifestyle isn’t suited to a day in the football trenches giving their sweat and blood for the Swans. As we saw with the reaction of some of the players after the embarrassment that was last weekend against Bristol City. It was just pathetic.
However, we have to put that aside, and they have to as well. If they want to go down as the side that lost the first Cardiff double ( okay, we’ve had two of them ) and all that comes with it then play like last weekend. If they want to be held as accountable, brave and positive in the face of adversity, go out there and show us.
Latest news is that Aaron Ramsey could be in contention for the game, but it sounds like more wizardry from the Büyücü Bulut. He is welcome to play him, he offers nothing to Wales anymore, and will be a liability with his next injury waiting to happen. Josh Key is fighting to start the game, and later on today the Swans head coach will determine some of his choices, but this is a game to keep them guessing. Harry Darling is pushing for a start with Nathan Wood, Ben Cabango and Josh Tymon looking as Williams current favourites, but then of course there is Josh Key. Joe Allen is fit, as is Matt Grimes and Jamie Paterson along with Placheta and Ronald. With the current form of our strikers and Mykola out injured, Williams laughed he could well play Harry Darling up front this weekend. Well, not being funny Luke, we didn’t laugh, it’s a decent idea compared to the performances of our other front two of late. We expect Liam Cullen to start.
We haven’t had a full performance from the Swans since Williams took over, his words as well, no better time than tomorrow. We will report on today’s press conference later. Start rubbing your hands it’s tomorrow at 12.30pm !