Here we go then, just another Sunday afternoon stroll in the park for our brave boys in blue eh? This Sunday sees us head west to our near neighbours who will no doubt be rubbing their hands in anticipation of once again seeing off our misfiring team, with our hosts surely buoyed by their recent results and of course our own humbling up at Turf Moor. The Rusty.Com stadium holds precious few good memories for us Bluebirds, but who know, maybe, just maybe this will be the game to fire up our team, have them all fully concentrated and for our boys to finally get some reward for their efforts in sticking with our change in style. Our hosts have been in their current home since 2005, following their move from the old Vetch Field, a stadium with one of the most curious (and ridiculous) stands I think I have ever seen (who on earth builds a stand that only stretches 2/3 of the way across one end?). The Vetch could only be described as ‘ramshackle’ at best and although I’m sure many Jacks probably miss it, it was never going to stand the test of time and allow the club to progress. Since moving, our noisy neighbours have of course tasted Premier League and European football after winning their first major trophy by defeating League 2 Bradford City in the League Cup final in 2013, their job made all the easier in that final by their 4th tier opponents going down to 10 men during the game. Who Are You? Since those heady Premier League days our rivals have seen a decline set in, with relegation from the Premier League in 2018 and ever less impressive performances keeping them rooted at Championship level, resulting in dwindling crowds and dissatisfaction with the current American Owners. This season however may begin to see some small shoots of optimism set in once more. Current gaffer Luke Williams has potentially unearthed a few players that could see the Swans’ fortunes begin to change. Previously a coach under Russell Martin in west Wales, Williams re-joined the Jacks from Notts County in January of 2024, talking over the hot seat from the disastrous Michael Duff. Williams’ arrival saw the Swans just about steer clear of relegation last season thanks to a few key wins (not least the one over us). Our hosts have been boosted by the summer arrivals of summer arrivals Eom Ji-Sung, Goncalo Franco and Lawrence Vigoroux, as well as the fairly eye catching capture of Slovenian striker Jan Vipotnik who was plucked from the ashes of the collapse of Bordeaux. They have however lost a large number of 1st team players, with recent reports indicating yet another escapee in the form of Jamie Patterson who’s contract expiry means he is likely to join MLS side Charlotte FC, so further recruitment is very much on the cards in SA1, provided the owners are happy to spend some more cash that is! Last Time Out & Form Last season saw the Bluebirds finally put a halt to a particularly distressing and disappointing run of fixtures against our little cousins, however, sadly, we weren’t able to capitalise on our earlier season win at home by performing a doubLe of our own (just accentuating the spelling there for any of our visiting friends, we know they struggle with reading and writing (bit like our neighbour the other side of the bridge too), with our boys going down in the away match 2-0. The game was pretty much decided in the opening 20 minutes with our hosts that day flying out of the blocks and getting at us from the off, unsettling our team and essentially dominating the game from start to finish. A total contrast to what we’d seen earlier in the season at the CCS and perhaps a vindication of our hosts decision to part ways with the manager from that early season capitulation? The opening goal did come with some controversy though, a clear foul on Perry Ng going completely unpunished in the penalty box as he was prevented from trying to get anything on a cross to the far edge of the Bluebirds box where Swansea had managed to create an overload. The other abiding memory I have of the game is Harry Darling doing his utmost to rival Ben Cabango in the diving like a champion stakes, with the burley defender going down at every opportunity at the merest of touches from a Cardiff player. There was sadly no arguing that the better team on the day won though. Form guide wise, the mini run our hosts enjoyed over the last few games was enough to ease them away from the threat of relegation, though they did slip to a 1-0 home defeat on the last day, a result that was mirrored in their first game of this season away at Middlesbrough. Last weekend’s aforementioned 3-0 home win against managerless Preston though should be enough to give them confidence going into this one. Quite what to make of our own form I don’t know. Results have been poor, however there have been sustained periods of good dominant play against 2 strong sides, indeed, putting the score line to one side, it could even be argued that we were, overall, the better side in our 5-0 reverse last weekend as bizarre as that sounds. Personally I worry this game has come a few weeks too early for us. We are still grappling with our change of style and bedding in the new faces and so I really can’t see us winning this one either I’m afraid. In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About All change once again. No sooner does Mark McGuinness make a comeback than he’s gone completely. In his place comes Norwegian Jesper Daland, who has already played half a dozen times this year, so may come into immediate contention for this one. Will Fish from Man Utd is apparently due to arrive imminently but isn't likely to be available for this match. Captain Joe Ralls looks a serious doubt, however Aaron Ramsey has been declared fit – whether he gets a start or not remains to be seen though as his form has been less than inspiring thus far. Should Rambo have to make do with a place on the bench then Rubin Colwill could well deputise in the ‘10’ role, or perhaps even Callum Robinson, leaving Wilf Kanga up top still searching for his first goal for the club. Rumour has it that Anwar El-Ghazi could be available for selection, but even if he is, it is likely to be as a substitute only – that’s a positive nonetheless as we continue to struggle to unlock defences and make the most of the opportunities presented to our misfiring team. Predicted Starting 11 Horvath Ng Goutas Chambers O’Dowda Siopis Ramsey Willock Robinson Meite Kanga The Odds Bods It seems so long ago now, and much water has passed under the bridge but this guy is still revered in both cities (ok, one is still a town at heart but we’ll let that pass). Mini pop quiz – Tosh is an ex-Tractor boy but has never played for Ipswich – how could this be? Top Boy Top Trumps There was only ever going to be one member of the opposition’s ‘squad’ for this – the long serving and infamous Cyril The Swan! Whilst our own mascot is a family oriented club ambassador, his opposite number is (putting it politely) a little bit of a loose cannon, who’s even been up before the beak! The more I think about it, this actually explains Oli McBurnie’s behaviour, he clearly must have hung out with Cyril far too often whilst out west and adopted him as a role model and mentor! https://www.fourfourtwo.com/feature...ght-english-football-cyril-swan-vs-zampa-lion Match Day Melody I’m sure there’s a few of us wish we could ‘bin off’ this fixture but we’re stuck with it for the time being until we get promoted, just try not to get a taste for the local delicacies if you are attending in person! So, if ever there was a game to try and get our season up and running then this should be it! Erol needs to have the boys ready for a fast start (a real issue for us usually), a ferocious atmosphere and no small amount of off the ball shenanigans from a team that have recently shown they are happy to win by any means possible, fair or foul. C'mon Erol, get the boys fired up, send them out with a fire in their belly, lets silence the crowd early and turn those ludicrous odds on their heads!! C'mon City.... Blooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!! (Hopefully moments like this will provide some inspiration)
Thanks once again Brizzle for another work of genius. Totally concur on this fixture being too earyin the season, not only for us but for the good of the fixture. Much better to have local derbies after both clubs have settled into their season. Just the EFL flexing and having a laugh? Also agree that I can't see us getting anything from this. That said, if Rambo gets his mojo back, who knows what could happen. As always we live in hope whilst giving our unwavering support. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds.
Brilliant MDT again Brizzo. As far as I can see, the only advantage we have over the jacks is we know exactly how they're going to play it, whereas they've got no idea at all what we're going to do - a bit like all of us on here. A possession based game, deprive the opposition of the ball is standard procedure for the jacks. Frustrate the opposition, pull them forward and get in behind on a quick counter attack. Just how is Bulut going to play this one? If he tries to match them, in the end we'll lose a boring game of football because they're good at what they do. There must be a combination amongst the players he now has available to adapt our game for different opponents without showing them too much respect. Unfortunately I think he'll try to pack the midfield to keep them out rather than going for the win.
Love it Brizzle. Made me smile this afternoon This game has come too early for us although I still believe we are in for a good season and will finish higher than the Jacks. I don't sense that Erol has fired up the boys for this one, whether he is keeping it low key deliberately, I don't know? Tosh is a Tractor Boy, not by virtue of towing the Swansea caravans but managed a club known as Tractor in Iran
Hope you are right about Erol having them fired up and ready! Saw a piece from the enemy camp, their manager was asked if the new players understood the importance of the game... He replied that "they need to eat, they've spoken to the chef, so yes, they know!!" That's the kind of organic 'hwyl' we need.... And you are bang on with Tosh...
Of course, originally done by Rex Garvin and the Mighty Cravers. Please be careful with your intonation when pronouncing the title
Interesting that apart from goals conceded, statistically we're actually performing better than our opponents this weekend Just a shame about the most important stat regarding points eh???
After today's results, a win tomorrow would put us up to 19th - if we win 9 - 0 we'll move up to 10th.
The Wales On line correspondents all predict a to nil win to the home side. Difficult to argue against them though. Bulut should print it out & stick copies all over the dressing room wall. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/swansea-city-v-cardiff-city-29796465
Thanks Brizzle a good read. With this one i wouldn't be surprised by any result. I hope the Swans take the 3 points but could see it ending 1-1. God I hate this game
Couldn't agree more (apart from hoping the Swans take all 3 points of course). If it does finish 1-1 I think more than a few of us on here will be quietly pleased... Unless of course we play superbly for the entire game by some miracle and you guys go down to 9 men... Then we may be expecting to sneak it 2-1 in the dying minutes Can't believe anyone genuinely looks forward to derby games.
I think with the exception of one or two on each side, it's the players that are the least anxious in the lead up to these games no matter how fired up they may be. The fans on the other hand go through hell!
Top Boy Top Trumps There was only ever going to be one member of the opposition’s ‘squad’ for this – the long serving and infamous Cyril The Swan! Whilst our own mascot is a family oriented club ambassador, his opposite number is (putting it politely) a little bit of a loose cannon, who’s even been up before the beak! The more I think about it, this actually explains Oli McBurnie’s behaviour, he clearly must have hung out with Cyril far too often whilst out west and adopted him as a role model and mentor! So, if ever there was a game to try and get our season up and running then this should be it! Erol needs to have the boys ready for a fast start (a real issue for us usually), a ferocious atmosphere and no small amount of off the ball shenanigans from a team that have recently shown they are happy to win by any means possible, fair or fowl. True story Our local football club is a stones throw away from Steboneath where Llanelli AFC play their home games One day our game was called off so we all nipped over to see the jacks who were playing 'the Reds' Llanelli town in a charity match, Cyril the swan was doing a lap of the pitch before kick off pretending to be important, one of our lads was giving this fat swan more abuse than anyone else in the crowd (I went to Ninian Park many times with him so you can understand why). Ten minutes in to the game my mate gets a tap (or a flap) on the shoulder so he turned around and this 8ft bird sticks the nut straight in to my mates face, this mental case was still in full mascot gear and going crazy, he was there with a few of his dirty mates and there was quite a few of us so when we fought back feathers were flying all over the place, in all fairness this bird wouldn't go down even though one of our guys was riding him like Bernie Clifton and he was getting slapped all round the terrace. Eventually the local plod got involved and peace was restored so we all went to the clubhouse for lemonade (not with the dirty jacks by the way) but if you.ve ever heard stories about that manky bird and you may think they are far vetched ... trust me THEY ARE ALL TRUE
Absolutely nothing to do with todays match but your post reminded me of Anthony Gerrard's pot shot at Watford's mascot Harry the Hornet Anthony Gerrard hits watford mascot (youtube.com)
