Korey Smith relishing first taste of South Wales derby

Korey Smith is eager to get his first taste of South Wales derby action this weekend, and try and make sure it is Swansea City and the Jack Army who have smiles on faces comes Saturday evening.

While Smith will be face Cardiff for the first time in Swans colours, he is no stranger to taking on the Bluebirds in derby action.

Smith played in a number of Severnside derbies during his time with Bristol City, but he knows that this contest will be on another level.

"I've had a lot of messages about this game since I joined,” said the midfielder.

“Everyone at the club says how much this obviously means to the supporters and players. We'll be looking to go to their stadium and get the win to make everyone happy. 

"When I was at Bristol City, we played against Cardiff and it's a derby, but it's not as big, or as important to people, as this.

 “Derbies are funny games. Form goes out of the window, positions go out of the window - you can have one team top of the league and one at the bottom, but anything can happen in a derby.

“You've got to stick to the way you play, you know you're going to be in a battle and must win your individual ones.

“You've got to stay solid and try to win the game - no matter how you do it, you must win it.”

This weekend’s derby will sadly have no supporters present due to Welsh Government measures related to the coronavirus pandemic.

And, with that in mind, Smith and his team-mates are more desperate than ever to make sure the Jack Army have plenty to smile about following Saturday’s meeting at Cardiff City Stadium.

“We want to not only win and keep our good form going and stay in the top half of the table, but make our fans happy,” he added.

“Our aim is to get the win for all the people at home that can't come. It's away but hopefully when the home leg comes around, we'll have all our fans back and behind us. We've got our fingers crossed for that.”