Swansea City v Cardiff City Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - The Liberty Stadium Date - 27 October 2019 Kick off - 12.00 Following their absolutely abysmal performance at home against Brentford, next up for Steve Cooper’s Swansea squad is a Welsh Derby against deadly rivals Cardiff City. A month or so ago, the Jack Army would have been supremely confident about the outcome of this fixture, but a run of 1 point from a possible 12 points at The Liberty, culminating in the horror show against Brentford, means that Swansea supporters are now fearing the worst. What has gone wrong for Steve Cooper (or Agent Cooper as Blueturd fans refer to him) and his not so super Swans? Cooper's side started this season in spectacular fashion, winning seven of their first eight games in all competitions. But results have been much harder to come by for the Swans since Cooper was named manager of the month for August. Swansea had not lost a home league fixture since Boxing Day 2018 until Nottingham Forest won at the Liberty Stadium in September, yet, as mentioned above, they have now taken just one point from the last four games on their patch. Brentford's fortunes this term have been mixed, with Thomas Frank's men struggling to find any consistency. But having come back from 2-0 down to claim a rousing last-gasp win over Millwall on Saturday, Brentford looked sharper than Swansea from the outset. Yan Dhanda threatened a couple of times for the hosts in the first half, while skipper Matt Grimes saw a long-range drive saved. Brentford were much more fluent going forward, though, and it was no surprise when Benrahma rounded off a flowing a counter-attack with a fine finish to give the west London club a 30th-minute lead. Things quickly got worse for the hosts as Brentford doubled the advantage six minutes later after Kristoffer Peterson gave the ball away near halfway. Peterson, making a first league start since his summer move from Heracles, had some bright moments going forward, but his loose pass cost his team dear as Ollie Watkins seized possession. Bidwell did cut out Watkins' pass into the box for Mbeumo - but only succeeded in prodding the ball low past his own goalkeeper. Swansea briefly rallied at the start of the second half, with Peterson flashing a shot just wide of the post. But France Under-21 international Mbeumo ended any hope of a comeback when he picked off a Joe Rodon pass and netted his third goal of the season with a shot which gave Woodman no chance. George Byers came close to pulling one goal back with a header only for David Raya to save brilliantly, while Andre Ayew and Sam Surridge both missed the target late on to round off Swansea's miserable night. As a consequence, the Swans dropped to 7th in the table. Whilst the Swans were sinking against the Bees, Tom Bradshaw was twice helping Millwall come from behind against visitors Cardiff City to end Adam Barrett's stint as caretaker boss on a high note. Barrett, who now hands over to Gary Rowett, watched his side go behind as Junior Hoilett picked out Danny Ward to score with a close-range header. Bradshaw equalised on the stroke of half-time when his deflected shot evaded Neil Etheridge. Cardiff retook the lead when Ward and Lee Tomlin combined to find Hoilett, who curled home from the edge of the area. But Bradshaw again came to the Lions' rescue, as the Wales forward wrong-footed the defence to fire into the corner. As well as missing out on all three points, Cardiff boss Neil Warnock may rue an injury to Hoilett. The influential winger limped off on 67 minutes and could be a doubt for Sunday's derby against the Swans. As things stand, Cardiff are four points and six places below the Swans and are still searching for a first away league victory in 2019-20 ....... ominous or what? The Swans have played Cardiff on 66 occasions and are ahead in the overall series, having won 27 times to Cardiff’s 22 victories. The sides last met on 8th February 2014 - also at The Liberty - in a (PL) match that was Garry Monk’s first in charge following the sacking of Michael Laudrup. The Swans ran out 3-0 victors: Turning to Sunday, there is no doubt that Neil Warnock will have his team ‘fired-up’ for the challenge and that he would love to secure a first away win of the season at Cardiff’s rivals. Cooper for his part has a huge job in lifting the spirits of his (currently) beleaguered squad - but if they can’t motivate themselves for this match, then they shouldn’t be wearing the white shirt.... Watching the highlights of the last derby and the huge parts played in that victory by Dyer and Routledge, would persuade me to include both in the starting X1! I’d have them out wide, with Ayew up top, supported by Celina. Think I’d go with something like: Woody Roberts VdH Rodon Naughton Fulton Grimes Dyer Routs Celina Ayew Hopefully, the occasion will lift the Swans’ players. I’m hoping for a 2-1 win, but think that the best we will do is draw 2-2.
Hate to say this, think Scumdiff will turn us over. Not sure where our goals will come from. Sorry but 1-3 Cardiff.
We are definitely better when we have Dyer and Routledge in the team. They may be getting on in football terms, but they are still better than our other options.
I agree Dai, the old guard have to play in this one. Taff’s side looks solid, but will Cooper see the light?
We desperately need to bounce back as the rot is setting in. As Phil says, this has got to be the game. Please!!!!! Unfortunately we are suckers for breaking other teams ducks.
Swansea City v Cardiff City: The 'can't-lose' south Wales derby. I can see a draw, maybe 2 -2 but desperately want a win.
Swansea City are waiting on the fitness of defender Joe Rodon ahead of Sunday’s South Wales derby against Cardiff City. The 22-year-old centre-half overcame a knock to face Brentford in midweek, but head coach Steve Cooper revealed the Wales international suffered another knock to his ankle against the Bees. And Rodon will be assessed over the next day or so before a final decision is taken on his availability. Ben Wilmot and Ben Cabango are in contention to step in, should Rodon be ruled out. “Joe had a kick and because the games come thick and fast he was touch and go (for Tuesday),” said Cooper. “He is one who has picked up another knock if you want to talk about bumps and bruises, it’s different to what he did previously.
Some interesting results today. A win tomorrow could send us up to fourth, which, considering the slump we're in, is amazing.
