Joe Allen | We are hungry and motivated, we have been waiting for this game

Joe Allen and Luke Williams insist Swansea City are hungry and motivated to right the wrongs from earlier this season when they host Cardiff City in this afternoon’s south Wales derby (12.30pm).

The Swans host the Bluebirds having enjoyed by far the better of the recent history in the fixture, winning seven of the last 10 meetings and securing the first league doubles in its 112-year history.

However, Swansea were on the wrong side of a 2-0 defeat at Cardiff City Stadium back in September and Allen, who was a late withdrawal from that game due to an injury in the warm-up, says the hurt of that loss has lingered ever since for today’s hosts.

“There has been determination to right the wrongs of that since the final whistle went,” said the midfielder.

“It was a tough day for us and a very disappointing performance for us.

"We have been waiting patiently for this game to come back around and we are hungry and motivated, every single person at the club is, to right the wrongs.

“Personally, and for everyone connected to you club, that was a grim day.

“The added insult for me being it was the first game I was due to start and I got injured in warm up, I am looking forward to a second chance this weekend.

“They are in good form, but in the derby game form counts for less than in regular league games.

“We are focusing on trying to win the game and we see the opportunity there to do that, that’s how we have always approach these derby games at this club in my time here.”

Williams was not involved on that occasion, but he has previous derby experience having been part of the coaching staff for the 3-0 home win over Cardiff in October 2021.

And he is fully aware of what a derby victory would mean to Jacks everywhere.

“The players were disappointed about it, and we know we have to perform to a better level than that, and so there are a lot of players who feel quite hurt by that performance and are looking forward to this game,” he said.

“I hope that disappointment comes out in the performance, and I am sure it will.

“We will use whatever we can to be motivated to make one more tackle or one more run, whatever gives us the energy to do everything possible.

“I am very excited about it, I cannot wait. I am going to try and take it all in as much as I can.

“I am aware of what it means, when you win it is a feeling that you cannot replace with anything else. If you could you’d make millions."