Vital Cardiff: Swansea City Danger Man

Cardiff City travel to Swansea tonight for the first South Wales derby of at least three this season. We have waited for years for a truly competitive chance to play our closest rivals and their promotion last season finally allowed that chance though tonight’s game is ironically not a league clash, but a Carling Cup third round tie.


A quick look at last season’s form, this season’s start and the Swans’ squad should be enough to prove that tonight’s will not be an easy game. Both sides like to play football – always a plus for the Bluebirds and it should be a good game in a highly charged atmosphere at the Liberty Stadium.


Swansea City have a few weaknesses, a lack of pace and solidity at the back as well as a number of foreigners – will they understand the importance and have the temperament to cope with the tension and pressure?


One player who surely will relish tonights game is Ferrie Bodde. The Dutchman nearly quit Swansea during the summer, after publically seeking a move to Derby County – never a popular thing to do. However, the move continually fell through and Bodde remained a Swan, he signed a new contract and continued his good form to once again endear him to the Swans fans.


A lasp gasp equaliser against Burnley, having made up a huge amount of ground to finish the move will only help Bodde for tonights game and he is likely to enjoy the aggressive side to the game. A ‘midfield enforcer’, Bodde has many sides to his game besides strong tackling and weighing in with goals.


Bodde’s battle with Gavin Rae will be key tonight while he is also likely to target Stephen McPhail through whom so much of Cardiff City’s play goes.