The managers ahead of South Wales derby

Last updated : 23 September 2008 By Michael Morris
Here's what the managers have to say.

Dave Jones

"I have had abuse all my career and people think it affects you," he said speaking about the hostile reception he's likely to get at the Liberty tonight. "But if you can't deal with it then you don't continue as a professional sportsman.

"If you play at the highest level then the atmosphere is the best part. If you let it affect you then just get out because you won't perform to the best of your ability.

"We will just deal with their fans the same way we do in any game that we get abuse. It doesn't affect us at all.

"It could have been a great atmosphere if we had more of our fans there. But we are only allowed 1,400.

"They will make their feelings known though and that will be great for us."

He continued: "I understand the importance of this game. I've played and been involved in big derby games so I know what it's like with the bragging rights.

"The players will understand how important this is for the football club and our supporters.

"But performing is the hardest part and, if we are all too hyped up and the adrenaline is pumping, then normally you don't get the game everybody expects.

"Nobody wants to make a mistake in those circumstances and you tend to play safe football. We want to play our style of football though and I'm sure it's the same for Swansea.

"I certainly wouldn't expect us to go out and try to kill each other because we are not those kind of teams," he explained. "We don't have those sort of players in either camp.

"But I think this game will have every- thing. We played Bristol City, which was a derby as well, and there was plenty of passion but good football as well.

"We are not a kicking side and neither are Swansea. We won't just lump it forward and they don't do that either so it should have all the right ingredients.

"They have played in some big games lately, play-offs and the like, and so have we. So you should really thrive on the atmosphere and the bigger the crowd, the more we hopefully rise to it and I'm sure it's the same for Swansea.

"It's good that both teams are doing well," he said. "There's a rivalry and everything else but it's good for football in this part of the world because we are the two highest teams in Wales and we have to try to perform in that manner.

"Certainly among my staff and I there is some sort of relationship with Swansea that should be good for Welsh football.

"We're not at loggerheads with each other and we want the best for each other but, within that, we are competitive and we want to win."

He added: "Roberto has done well, got them promoted, got them playing and he has done a fantastic job. He seems a nice fellow too and I have met him a few times.

"I'd still rather we were in the Premiership and they were in the Championship though. I'm more worried about us than what Swansea are doing."

Roberto Martinez

"I have huge respect for Dave Jones. He is a manager who has huge experience, has got into the Premiership and has found his own way to do things at the top level," said Martinez.

"The hard work he's had to put in at Cardiff with the off-the-field situation, he has always kept a steady ship and been very successful, so there is huge admiration for him.

"Cardiff have huge experience in their ranks, you don't get to the FA Cup final without a strong side.

"Steve McPhail is a player who has tremendous skill, Ross McCormack is a player we've watched and then there is Joe Ledley and Paul Parry.

"They are international footballers at the top of their game and in a great moment of their careers.

"Cardiff have players who can win a game in one instant. but their real strength is the way they play as a team, the way they play as a block. They know each other really well and they will be a tough team to play against.

"It won't make a difference to the derby the fact there's not many local players," said Martinez.

"The key is feeling part of the football club and I think if you look at both teams they have players very attached to the colours they defend and when that happens it doesn't matter about nationality or where they come form.

"Our Welsh lads will not see it in a different way to the other players, it is a huge derby and one we haven't played in such a long time. If a week is a long time in football, nine years is an eternity.

"So it has all the ingredients to be the perfect occasion for Welsh football.

"I see it as an open game with a lot of options in both boxes.

"I don't think it will be a game where people are afraid of being exposed, it will be the opposite because both teams will want to show how good they can be.

"I hope it will be like that because sometimes you can have the other side in derbies where there is not much action because everyone is afraid to make mistakes.

"They want to avoid the margin of error, but I hope it goes the other way."