Meet the opposition | Cardiff City
As Swansea City prepare for the first South Wales derby of the season, we take a closer look at Cardiff City.
What's their story?
Cardiff find themselves in their second season back in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2018-19 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 18 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?
On the up. Cardiff had an inconsistent start to the season, which was unexpected on the back of a strong end to last season that saw them clinch a play-off place.
But they have strung together a run of four wins from their last four games heading into this weekend, seeing off Luton, Huddersfield, Watford and Stoke.
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, and subsequently leading them to the play-offs.
Who’s the captain?
Sean Morrison. The centre-half has been with the Bluebirds since joining from Reading during the summer of 2014, and has been an integral part of their side ever since.
He has made over 240 league appearances for Cardiff, helping them win promotion to the top-flight in 2018.
He started out at Plymouth and Swindon, before making the move to the Madejski. During his time in Berkshire he had two successful loan spells with Huddersfield.
Who are the key men?
Kieffer Moore has enjoyed a fine start to his Cardiff career since joining from Wigan, and has five goals from his last six appearances.
Keeper Alex Smithies and Morrison provide a solid foundation at the back, while Will Vaulks and Joe Ralls bring no shortage of energy in midfield, with Ralls also chipping in with his share of goals.
Talisman Lee Tomlin has suffered with injury problems so far this season, but Liverpool loanees Harry Wilson and Sheyi Ojo have provided the creativity in his absence.
