Dyer: Plenty to be proud of
1st November
Nathan Dyer believes Wales can be immensely proud from the boost its football clubs have given the nation.
Sunday's Welsh derby at The Cardiff City Stadium is the first to be played in the Barclays Premier League, with the Bluebirds joining the Swans in the top flight after they lifted the Championship title last season.
Newport Country also gained entry back into the Football League last term, beating fellow Welsh club Wrexham in the Play-Off final, in what proved an excellent year for Welsh clubs.
Dyer has played a big role in the Swans' rise to the top, helping them win the Championship Play-Off final in 2011 while, more recently, he scored twice in a man-of-the-match performance during the Capital One Cup final win over Bradford City at Wembley.
And he feels Welsh football has a lot to shout about as derby day edges closer.
"Wales has had a massive boost from its football teams coming up the leagues," said Dyer.
"The rise of Swansea from nearly getting knocked out of the Football League to rising to the top-half of the Premier League and winning a League Cup title is a great story, and our recent success has been amazing for the club and Welsh football.
"We just want to make the city feel proud of this football club."
While a number of the Swans squad are preparing for their first Welsh derby experience, Dyer can be considered a veteran of the more recent games between the clubs.
The winger has already featured in five fixtures between Swansea and Cardiff, with Dyer scoring twice and being part of two memorable victories.
And he's looking forward to the latest instalment of the Welsh derby.
"I've played in quite a few derby games so I know what to expect," he added. "When I played in my first game, I couldn't quite understand it. When we went to Ninian Park I remember taking a throw-in and I could feel just how much it meant to the supporters of both teams.
"Everyone is looking forward to it - it's going to be a great game on Sunday and it's pleasing to see this game in the Premier League ."
