Cardiff striker takes swipe at Swans

JAY Bothroyd has written Paulo Sousa's derby day team talk for him by questioning Swansea City's form and claiming they are a fading force in the Championship.

The Cardiff City striker can expect a red-hot reception from a sell-out Liberty crowd when Wales's big two do battle on Saturday thanks to an extraordinary pre-match outburst.

Bothroyd claims Swansea are a weaker proposition than in the last Cardiff clash because of the summer exits of Jason Scotland and Jordi Gomez.

Dismissing the increasing influence of Paulo Sousa, he also argues the departure of Roberto Martinez will be a "massive factor" as Cardiff look to improve their miserable derby record.

And the former Coventry and Wolves forward has bizarrely rejected the suggestion that Swansea are in good form even though their nine-game unbeaten stretch is the longest in the Championship.

"Two form sides? Really?" Bothroyd said. "Where are they in the league? Where are we in the league?

"Since the changes at Swansea, they are not the side they were.

"They've lost their goalscorer Jason Scotland, they've lost Jordi Gomez and they've lost their manager, which I think is a massive factor.

"That is being shown by how well he is doing in the Premier League at Wigan.

"I don't think Swansea are the same and it will be a totally different game compared to last year. We're looking to go there and beat them."

Bothroyd played in all three derbies last season as Cardiff failed to beat their neighbours.

Swansea deservedly saw off the Bluebirds in the Carling Cup and came close to another victory in the Liberty league game, when a dubious penalty decision helped the visitors to a 2-2 draw.

Another draw followed at Ninian Park in April when Cardiff had trailed in stoppage time but were saved by one of the softest spot-kick awards imaginable.

Cardiff have now won only one of the past 12 derby clashes — excluding the FAW Premier Cup — but Bothroyd is convinced the run is about to change.

Unbeaten in their last six games, Dave Jones's team are currently third in the Championship, five points better off than the 11th-placed Swans.

"The hype is big," Bothroyd added.

"I didn't know about the hatred between the two sides before I came here so I didn't know what to really expect.

"It's a great occasion. The fans are buzzing and will have been looking forward to it all week.

"But I've experienced it three times now and I'm looking forward to the fourth and getting the win."