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Derby devastation

Agony, pain, and one very sore head

Posted: 10th November 2009 10:39

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Derby devastation

Hudson: 'Worst defender ever'

So as the derby hysteria fades away, and Swansea plan their open top bus parade with a big cardboard cut-out of three points, we face the most depressing of things, an international football break

Ben Dudley
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I have to start this article with a painful sentence. A sentence more painful than being ordered to serve a lifetime locked in a room with Vernon Kay watching Loose Women, while being slowly eaten by cannibalistic snails.

Well done Swansea.

The better team on the day, and the bragging rights deservedly secured.

Derbies are often won due to passion, and Swansea's players had more of it on the day. Darren Pratley and Nathan Dyer ran the midfield, and while we did have important players missing who have scored more goals than the whole of Swansea's squad put together, this can be no excuse.

I may sound like a broken, abusive, record but I think Mark Hudson is without doubt the worst defender since the lawyer who lost the O.J Simpson case.

Dave Jones must also be looked at. As our little brothers took great delight in telling us, we have "Never beat the Jacks" in four attempts under Jones, and his constant bottling of derby games is a source of real hurt for City fans.

Now, I am not going to call for Jones to be sacked for losing the derby. It is only three points, and while it is three points we all sorely wanted, we are still in a good league position. We have a number of games coming up that we should win and one defeat is not the end of the world.

This is my more rational view after taking time to calm down. My language used at the end of the game contained language more colourful than a peacock in an exploding paint factor, and questioning of Mark Hudson's parentage.

Obviously losing meant that I could not enjoy the game, but I can appreciate it must have been a great spectacle for the neutral. After going 2-0 down I was wondering if I would be able to knock myself out by head-butting one of the vast concrete blocks in the Liberty Stadium to dull the pain.

However in the space of three minutes, Cardiff scored twice. The celebration at the leveller was absolutely crazy, and I apologise unreservedly to the fan stood next to me. I went to pat him on the head with joy, at the same time as he jumped into the air. The result was his head connecting with my tooth, and a little dent in his head.

I hid, he was bigger than me.

We were on top for a spell at this stage, and started to play some good football for the first time. Ross McCormack hit the bar from a free kick, and I honestly believe had it gone in we would have gone on to win the game. Sadly it was not to be. Darren Pratley took advantage of poor play from just about everyone to put the Swans back into a lead that they never lost.

Despite Swansea on balance deserving the win, I must comment on the actions of Alan Tate. Adebayor was slammed in the media after his celebration in front of the Arsenal fans this season. Tate did this not once, but three times shunning his team-mates in the process.

It will no doubt raise his hero status among Swansea fans, who worship anyone who criticises the Capital city, but it was totally uncalled for. The potential for violence in these games is high as it is, and his stupidity could have incited a riot.

He should face a fine and a ban (and in my own personal opinion shot into the sun in a rocket), but will no doubt escape without punishment.

Also disappointing, but expected, was the behaviour of some of the Swansea fans. A golf ball was thrown at Chris Burke, an action which could have caused him severe injury. A number of songs were also directed at Dave Jones about the charges he was wrongly accused of, and proved innocent.

I am not just being bitter. For much of the game Swansea created an excellent atmosphere, but there is no need for the kind of disgusting chants that a large proportion of the ground sang at Jones. One of the supporters' coaches was bricked on the way out of Swansea also, presumably from locals scared at the sight of the 'magical metal box' and wondering where the horses to pull it along were hiding.

So as the derby hysteria fades away, and Swansea plan their open top bus parade with a big cardboard cut-out of three points, we face the most depressing of things, an international football break.

Wales face Scotland in the first ever international match at the Cardiff City Stadium, which is actually home to more Scottish players than Welsh! As we face weeks of depression after this result, I have two things to cheer me up. The first is that I don't have to live in Swansea, and the second is that I don't have to support Charlton Athletic.

Finally, congratulations to my friend Geraint's brother Mo, who has recently moved up a level with the Cardiff City academy. While he is still very young, he would still have been a better option on the wing than Taiwo. Hopefully a lifetime of free tickets awaits!

The views expressed are not necessarily those of skysports.com

Comments (7)

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David Morgan (Cardiff City fan) says...

Ignoring the inexcusible behaviour of fans which is rife throughout England and Wales, i would like to concentrate on the fact that we have the 2 worst centre halfs in the league. Hudson and Gerrard are not only slow but they have no understanding amongst themselves, their positioning is none existent and they have no leadership skills whatsoever!!! If we are to achieve anything this year then we need to replace them both!!

Posted 11:58 12th November 2009

Jon Davies (Cardiff City fan) says...

First off good article, not so sure about the well done swansea bit tho. The songs in football matches are mostly disrespectful and cruel but as i am writing this i know that when our little brother from down the road come to cardiff for the home game they also will get alot of stick and hopfully we can win just to rub it in thier faces, and i dont know how we just got branded the worst supporters in britian... stoke any chance you could show me where you get this stupid fact from?

Posted 10:11 12th November 2009

Rob Williams (Swansea City fan) says...

Tate may have come over to your mob, but that was no different to the reaction from Leadly. As for the open top bus, well we al know its a figment of your imagination and that its probably how you would want to celebrate a derby victory. Yes they are only three points but when you consider that you only missed out by a goal last may, they could prove to be vital. Oh and by the way cannibalistic Snails would eat themselves and not you, its a good job sky put the disclaimer at the bottom of the page.

Posted 20:04 10th November 2009

Tom Evans (Stoke City fan) says...

This article is ridiculous. Cardiff City fans are by far the worst behaved in the country. The whole club is a complete disgrace. Well Done Swansea - Most of England was supporting you on Saturday.

Posted 18:59 10th November 2009

W Evans (Swansea City fan) says...

"Little brothers", "open top bus celebrations", are a couple of examples of the typically snide, patronising, condescending, arrogant comments that I'd expect from a Cardiff fan, and this article is riddled with them. The fact that the admittedly disgraceful Dave Jones chants are referred to but not the police horse ones from their lot (or the missing girl ones) illustrates how irony is completely on this guy.

Posted 18:21 10th November 2009

David Lamperty (cardiff fan) (Cardiff City fan) says...

Ben i agree with most of your comments on the game! you got it spot on with alot of them, cardiff come out for a normal league game and swansea come out for a derby game! And Alan Tate should be punished for his actions, they were disgracefull and they could possibly cause more violent scenes in a fierce rivalry. However i have to agree with Dave, Cardiff fans are no angels themselves we are just as bad as swansea fans with our chanting and behaviour! its why this derby is such a fierce and competitive one! and i say that even though i was on the bus that the brick hit onj the way out from swansea.

Posted 17:30 10th November 2009

Dave Marks (Swansea City fan) says...

Nothing's said of the disgraceful chants from your end, or the fact that you trashed up our stadium. You're just as bad, if not worse (after the coining incidents last season) as us. At least we don't make jokes about a missing young girl.

Posted 15:02 10th November 2009
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