Luke Williams | It is an opportunity to do something special for everyone connected to our club

Luke Williams says he and his Swansea City squad are excited to embrace the pressure of a south Wales derby and the challenge of delivering for everyone connected to the club.

The Swans host Cardiff City at the Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday (3pm), with a league fixture between the sides being played in August for the first time since 1987.

Swansea have won five of the last six derbies in SA1, and last lost out on local bragging rights in front of a home crowd in 2011.

They ran out 2-0 winners when the teams last locked horns in March, taking the aggregate tally over the last three meetings at the Swansea.com Stadium to 7-0 in their favour.

Head coach Williams knows well the significance of the fixture and the emotions attached to it, and he believes his players’ previous experiences can play an important part.

“There is always pressure representing this club, and we have guys in the dressing room who thrive on the pressure,” said the Swans boss.

“We know that because there are a lot of names who were part of the ‘Double Double’, so they know what it is about, they know the pressure is coming and they enjoy it.

“I think the guys who have just joined us are already aware of what it is about and they are going to be ready to get into that atmosphere and give everything and sacrifice everything for the team.

“We are really excited for this next game, it is an opportunity for us all to come together as a club so let’s try and make a great performance and get a result.”

Swansea head into the derby on the back of a 3-0 home win over Preston North End and, while there is plenty of work ahead, Williams believes the showing against the Lilywhites gives them a good platform to build on.

“We have to keep improving, we are nowhere near where we want to be yet, and the whole squad knows that,” he added. 

“We have to try and produce a consistent level of performance so we can go into games feeling confident we have a chance of winning.

“We want to give the fans something enjoyable, a way of playing they want to invest their time and energy in. That’s what it’s about, that’s what this club is. 

“We have to try to make good performances and improve our margins consistently then we are going to share some great moments together, hopefully at least one of them can be a south Wales derby.”