Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Swansea City
Cardiff City welcome Swansea City to Cardiff City Stadium in the South Wales derby on Saturday afternoon, 3pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Swansea City’s current manager is Russell Martin, who was appointed in August 2021.
During his playing career, Martin represented the likes of Wycombe Wanderers, Peterborough United and Norwich City, making over 250 league appearances for the latter.
After retiring from football in November 2019, Martin had a spell as manager of MK Dons, who he led to 19th and 13th place finishes.
Since moving to the Swans, Martin’s side were 15th in the Championship last season and are currently 16th in the table.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
The Swans’ top scorer this season is striker Joël Piroe, who has 14 goals to his tally, along with one assist.
The Dutchman averages a goal every 231 minutes, with a shot accuracy of 60%.
Prior to joining Saturday’s opponents, Piroe came through at PSV’s academy, also having a loan spell with Sparta Rotterdam.
The attacker also has international experience, having represented the Netherlands at youth level on 26 occasions.
CLUB CONNECTION | ROGER GIBBINS
Midfielder Roger Gibbins joined the Bluebirds in 1982, having impressed for Cambridge Town. Gibbins went on to become a hugely popular figure at the Club, earning promotion during his first season at Ninian Park.
His first stint in the Welsh capital was a productive one, earning 139 league appearances, with a respectable tally of 17 goals.
In October 1985, Gibbins made the move to Swansea City in a swap deal involving former Wales international Chris Marustik.
During his return to Ninian Park to play against the Bluebirds that season, Nigel Vaughan netted a memorable 88th minute winner for City in a 1-0 victory.
Having made 35 league appearances in his solitary season with the Swans, Gibbins had two spells at Newport County, either side of playing for Torquay United, prior to his return to City in 1989.
The midfielder made a further 142 appearances for the Bluebirds, scoring seven goals. In his final season, the Club earned promotion to Division Two as champions in a fantastic campaign.
CITY FLASHBACK | HAWORTH HANDS CITY WIN AT THE VETCH
The Bluebirds travelled to Vetch Field in March 1997 looking to build on a positive string of results against the likes of Hull City, Fulham and Hartlepool United, as well as claiming derby bragging rights.
City did just that, as an 18th minute goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Cardiff-born striker Simon Haworth had the honour of scoring for his hometown club in the South Wales derby, sparking huge celebrations from the away-end.
After a memorable derby win, the Bluebirds would go on to secure a place in the play-offs at the end of the campaign, narrowly losing out to Northampton Town.
