Matt Grimes | Derby wins mean the world, but each one is a clean slate

Captain Matt Grimes knows derby day victories mean the world to Swansea City’s players, staff and supporters, but says Russell Martin’s squad have to put recent history to one side and approach Saturday’s clash at Cardiff City Stadium with a clean slate.

The Swans head to face Cardiff looking to record a fourth-straight victory in the fixture, having completed a first league double in the fixture’s history at the same venue last term.

Grimes is shaping up for his eighth appearance in a derby, and has skippered the Swans in all seven of his previous outings.

Those have seen the midfielder lead his team to five victories and a draw, and the 27-year-old knows full well about the significance of derby day.

And he has reminded his team-mates that their recent successes will count for nothing come 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

“Derby wins mean the world to us and to everyone connected with the club,” he said.

“I have said it before, these are games that stand by themselves. There are three points at stake, but really there is actually far more at stake in terms of pride and how you can make your supporters feel about their club.

“They are games you really look forward to. It will come down to who can implement their style and manage the emotion of the game better.

“That’s what these big games come down to, and we cannot wait to get started. The away end is sold out and it’s the biggest game of the season, which adds an extra edge.

“I have been fortunate enough to have been on the right side of some scorelines in these games.

“I don’t think you reflect properly until you retire, because you have so many games coming at you thick and fast.

“Once you win and celebrate or lose and analyse it, it is on to the next one.

“The derby holds fond memories, but it’s a clean slate and we need to front up and try and do it again.”