Liam Cullen | There is excitement, but focus is key because of what is at stake

Striker Liam Cullen insists Swansea City’s sole focus will be on their own performance as the excitement builds ahead of Sunday’s south Wales derby.

The Swans host Cardiff City at the Swansea.com Stadium as the two sides meet in an August league fixture for the first time since 1987.

The unusually early scheduling of the fixture has added an extra buzz – not that any were needed – ahead of the latest instalment in the 112-year rivalry.

But Cullen – who has two goals from two south Wales derby starts – is clear on the focus required from Luke Williams and his squad.

“I know it is a cliché but form does go out the window, these are one-off games and that is maybe even more the case on this occasion with how early in the season it is,” said Cullen.

“You go back a couple of seasons and we won up there after having a difficult run of form. We beat Bristol City the game before, but prior to that we had a tough run.

“That’s why the key thing is these games is to focus on yourself as a team, to be 100 per cent ready and focused.

“I feel like we are ready, we know what is at stake and we are excited about it.”

The Swans are looking to record a third home win in a row having seen off Gillingham and Preston North End most recently in SA1, scoring three goals in each game.

And Cullen says improved home form has been one of the key targets for the Swansea squad heading into this new campaign.

“The win over Preston was a boost, we know our home form last season was nowhere near good enough and it is something we have spoken about as a group,” added Cullen.

“One of the things we have really wanted to nail down this year is having good home form.

“That’s not to say we don’t want to have good away form too, but I think in this league if you can be picking up points at home and you are tough to beat in your own backyard then it can put you in a really good position.”