Malky Mackay admits his Cardiff players will be more motivated than usual when they host Swansea in the South Wales derby on Sunday evening.
The pair meet in the top flight for the first time ever in what is traditionally one of the tastiest fixtures in the game with both sides desperate to earn the points and give their fans bragging rights come Monday morning.
Having won just once since their famous victory over Man City in August, Cardiff really need to win and with them now sat perilously close to the relegation zone, another defeat could signal a long and hard winter for the Bluebirds.
Swansea on the other hand have made another solid start to the campaign and the progress they have demonstrated since earning promotion to the top flight in 2011 must be the envy of their local rivals, who are now trying desperately to lay the same foundations as their neighbours.
Mackay admits he is expecting a true spectacle on Sunday and believes his players will go into the game with a ‘special edge’ as they look to get their season back on track.
“It’s the first time we’ve played in the top level and that’s special for everyone in south Wales,” he said. “It’s only three points. It’s another Premier League team coming to the stadium, but there is a lot of importance attached to the game.
“I think this is going to be an incredible atmosphere and I think it’s something our fans have been looking forward to since the day we were promoted and it does hold that little extra special edge.”
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