Ralls pre-Swansea City | We're going to have to play at a top level
City captain Joe Ralls took on press duty on Friday afternoon, with a focus on this weekend’s clash with Swansea City.
"It's a massive game,” Joe began. “Results previously, it may seem like we haven't cared as much, but I don't think that is the case. We've gone into every derby wanting to win.
"The results, though, haven't been how we'd want, but the good thing about football is we've always got a chance to put that right. We'll be looking to do that this Sunday.”
Rallsy goes into this weekend’s South Wales derby having played a part in five of these fixtures in the past.
He continued: "If you lose, it's tough to take, to be honest with you. The loss is difficult to take at any level.
"The derby, this game, how big it is for our football club and for us as players, it is a really tough game to lose.
"We've won them as well, and on the flip side it is an amazing feeling when you win.”
It was an unfamiliar position for Joe and an unfamiliar scenario for our last South Wales derby win in March 2021.
Rallsy played left wing-back in a determined defensive display, with no fans able to attend due to COVID-19. But Aden Flint’s powerful header in a 1-0 win was enjoyed all the same.
"It was disappointing not to have the fans with us on that day, but it was a great win,” added City’s No.8. "We know we're going to have to play at a top level on Sunday.
"And, like we did on that day, put bodies on the line and show that we're together as a group out of possession, and hurt them in possession.
"Hopefully we can do that and replicate the feelings we had after that game.”
Joe has been with the Bluebirds for over a decade now, and has used his influence as skipper to make sure that the importance of this fixture is widely felt.
Rallsy concluded: "We have a lot of new players, but the boys should know how important a derby is at any football club, especially this one.
"I've had conversations with a lot of the boys, especially after the last couple of results we've had. We're lucky in a respect, that Sunday gives us a chance to put a bad couple of results to bed.
“I know what this game means to our supporters. If we go there and win on Sunday, previous results will be forgotten about. This is a great chance to get our season going again.
"We haven't been good enough in recent derbies, and this is a good chance to put that right.”
