The ‘Welsh’ derby is almost upon us and concerns over the fitness of Joe Allen continue, however we only have to look back at the last two games the Swans have played to see it’s not going to be a real issue. Olivier Ntcham has stepped up in midfield against both Millwall, a game the Swans were unlucky not to draw, and then the defeat of Bristol City.

Ntcham has been away on international duty over the past ten days with Cameroon but returns to the Swansea fold tomorrow in readiness for the derby game. He played seventy one minutes in the 1-1 draw with Namibia and then remained on the bench for the second game last night. Cameroon lost 2-1. These qualification games for the African cup of nations are fiercely competitive but Ntcham came through the first encounter unscathed it seems.

If he passes his return to club fitness checks we really don’t see much of a change in the starting eleven come Saturday afternoon. The starting line up in the Swans last game is below.

An enthused Nathan Wood returns to the club today as well, he completed the full ninety minutes yesterday evening for England Under 21 and earned numerous plaudits. Ollie Cooper and Ben Cabango also reported fit this morning from their Wales camp so no new injury concerns. Liam Cullen didn’t get any game time but will be keen to press forwards in what is his best season to date for Swansea. Andy Fisher’s recent clean sheet against Bristol City will give him confidence, plus he kept Cardiff out in the 4-0 win last season to complete the first ever season double between the sides. Ben Hamer was between the sticks for the home game, another 3-0 drubbing for Cardiff City.

Obviously statistics and form are in Swansea’s favour over recent seasons, in fact the league and cup meetings between the clubs since 1990 do indicate the Swans being the dominant team over the last thirty three years.

It’s an embarrassing statistic, and the pleas that Cardiff remain the best club side in Wales are really misleading, and judged on the last century with an FA Cup win nobody today can say they witnessed. The only media you will hear and read shouting the Bluebirds cause is the flakey pens and voices from the city itself. Living in 1970 and 1927 is hardly worthy of mention by comparison to Swansea City’s feats over many years winning a major trophy and European journey. Seven seasons in the premier league as well. However, as we all know this will all be by the by on Saturday as both sides fight for what is now called bragging rights, and surely now Cardiff are due a win ?

The excuses have completely run out.

With an in form Ntcham pulling the strings as he has done over the past few Swans games he is crucial to Saturdays game being a success for Swansea City. Even if Joe Allen is fit he should start on the bench, the formula Russell Martin has at the moment should not be tinkered with.

Cardiff City v Swansea City kicks off at 3pm this coming Saturday and is not being screened LIVE in the UK

Photograph licensed from Reuters

Badlands added 20:28 - Mar 29 Ntcham in centre midfield … is where he should always have been!
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