Passionate Duff seeking ‘spirited’ reaction ahead of South Wales derby

The Swans are still winless and searching for their first victory of the league campaign under the Northern Irishman who is demanding a performance ‘ten times better than against Bristol City’ in the 2-1 defeat at the Swansea.com Stadium last time out. 

Having only picked up two points from their opening five league matches prior to the international break, the former Barnsley head-coach is positive about turning things around against the Bluebirds this weekend. 

“There was a lack of intensity in the Bristol City game. They have responded well. Their attitude and application have been good. They’ve been working as hard as they have done since we’ve been here,” explained Duff. 

“We will be focusing on how we can bring fight, spirit, intensity and energy to affect the game positively for us. 

“It is not going to happen overnight; we’ve not been out of any games, but I don’t think we’re pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes by saying we were okay.  

“We weren’t good enough and it was unacceptable. We need to stick to the processes like we have been doing this week and the results will look after themselves. 

“To do that we have to be ten times better to give ourselves an opportunity to make people proud. 

“It’s a big game and such a bitter rivalry. I’m really looking forward to being part of it, hopefully, we will see a reaction from last week. 

“This is one of these games that everyone knows about, I am an outsider coming in here, but you know there are games in the UK that everyone knows about. This is one of them.  

“Once you’re wearing this badge you know what you’re representing. It’s more than just a football match. There is a different feel and a different atmosphere. 

“You get told pretty quickly how important it is to the area, the people and 

 the city.  

“There are people here like the chef, the kitmen; the staff are full of supporters, and all the players live in the area. 

“It’s not like other clubs I have been at, you don’t have to go far to get told that people expect a performance and want a result.” 

Victory for the Swans will be an unprecedented fifth in a row against their South Wales rivals and will carry on a strong record that has seen only one defeat in the last nine encounters. 

Coinciding with that run has been the Swans strong record of keeping seven clean sheets in the last nine derbies, something which under Duff the Swans haven’t managed yet this season in the Championship. 

“It will be a pillar that we will try and work on. Saying you want a clean sheet and getting one is saying the same as saying you’re going to get promoted and actually doing it,” continued Duff. 

“It is how do we do it. People have to do their jobs at set plays, and we need to run a little bit harder. That is not just running forward, it is defending as well. 

“We have scored a goal in every game so the fact we haven’t kept a clean sheet, we said it before the season is something we wanted to address. We have not stopped that, it has been the same. We have conceded too many goals.” 

The Swans will have a pretty much fit bill of health to choose from with the four deadline day signings of Josh Tymon, Krystian Pederson, Bashir Humphries and Jamal Lowe joining the matchday squad. Kyle Naughton is the only doubt, whilst Cardiff will assess the fitness of Wales captain Aaron Ramsey who is carrying a knock. 

Lowe, a derby day hero in his first spell at the club scoring a brace at the Cardiff City Stadium in a memorable 2-0 win in 2020. Duff feels the 29-year-old Jamaican international will be chomping at the bit for more this time around. 

“It was quite an easy sell when I spoke to Jamal on deadline day and said the next game is Cardiff. He said I’ll jump in my car, and I’ll see you down there,” enthused Duff. 

“He knows the history of it, he’s been part of it and tasted victory in it. 

“These games you want to be involved in. You spend your whole life watching these types of games on TV. 

“When you’re a young kid you dream about playing in front of a full house and scoring a winner in a derby it doesn’t matter who it’s for. Obviously, a lot of players are not from the area but once you walk into a club you instantly feel that connection.  

“I’ve played in some derby matches and they are games that you remember and look forward to and want to be part of that tiny bit of history.  

“It is one game that you want to be remembered as being in the team that won and hopefully our players will be.”