Meet the opposition | Cardiff City
As Swansea City prepare to head to Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, we take a closer look at the Bluebirds.
What’s their story?
Cardiff find themselves back in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.
That was their second Premier League campaign, having also suffered the drop on their previous top-flight stay during the 2013-14 season.
In total, the Bluebirds have spent 15 of the last 17 seasons in the second tier, while reaching the FA Cup final in 2008 and the League Cup final in 2012.
Earlier in their history they had top-flight spells in the 1920s, 1950s and 1960s, enjoying notable success during the first of those periods.
Cardiff finished second in the First Division table in 1924 – as Huddersfield took the title - and won the FA Cup in 1927.
How’s their form?
Mixed. Cardiff have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions, although that victory did come against high-flying Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
They also fought back from 3-0 down to claim a dramatic point at Leeds, while they have drawn at home against promotion chasing Preston and Millwall.
However, they enter this game on the back of a heavy defeat at QPR and an FA Cup draw against League Two Carlisle.
Who’s the boss?
Neil Harris. A former Millwall striker, Harris made over 250 appearances for the London club scoring 124 goals across two separate spells at The Den.
At one stage he was the longest serving manager at a Championship club, with Harris having taken the helm at Millwall following the dismissal of Ian Holloway in 2015.
Resigned to relegation when he took over, Harris’ first full season at the club was in League One where he led them to the play-off final, losing 3-1 to Barnsley.
But Millwall had another successful campaign the following season and, after securing a sixth place finish, reached another play-off final, this time beating Bradford City 1-0 to gain promotion back to the Championship.
Harris went on to take the Lions to within three points of the Championship play-offs following another impressive season the following campaign, while they enjoyed back-to-back FA Cup quarter-final appearances under his stewardship.
But the going got tougher last season and he left the club in October, before being appointed Cardiff boss just over a month later.
Who are the key men?
Joe Ralls – currently recovering from a broken hand - has been a consistent performer in midfield, chipping in with five goals, while Lee Tomlin has become an increasingly influential figure in recent months.
The former Bristol City playmaker has four goals and six assists to his name this term, including a spectacular flick to allow Robert Glatzel to equalise at Leeds.
Aden Flint and Sean Morrison are an experienced centre-back pairing who offer a threat from set-pieces, as does Sol Bamba, while striker Danny Ward has made his mark when called upon.
