Ok, so I know there's an element of "pot kettle black" here given Lee Trundle and Alan Tate's little indiscretion involving a rather inflammatory t-shirt being worn at the Millenium Stadium in the wake of the 2005 FA Trophy win, but given both club's rise to prominence since then you'd have hoped we'd see less and less of this type of thing.
Quite what effect this will have on the Swansea squad is debatable. Club skipper Garry Monk was at his affable diplomatic best when asked about the video - quite a contrast from his opposite number Mark Hudson who can be seen conducting the chanting at the front of the bus in the video above:
Garry Monk “We know about the history between the clubs and I saw a little bit on YouTube this week that made me laugh a little bit. Fair play to Cardiff, they’re celebrating, they’ve obviously had a few beers and got above themselves, but that’s the way it goes.
“As club captain, I’d wouldn’t have done that. I might have thought it, but not said it. People do what they do, if anything we’ll try and use it as motivation.
“At the end of the day, let them do what they’ve got to do and we’ll concentrate on us. Come game time we’ll see what happens. I remember when we played them for the first time in ages, when we beat them 1-0 in the cup, and players like Roger Johnson and Jay Bothroyd were predicting scores and talking in the papers, but before the game you get the build-up and with the other media in the Premier League it’s going to be even bigger.
“I think it’s great; it’s a brilliant rivalry and I think it’s great for the Premier League to have that clash. Credit to Cardiff, they deserve to come up and anyone that wins the Championship you say fair play to them. I’m looking forward to it next season. I’m a Swansea fan as well, I’ve been here nine or 10 years and I guess there’ll always be that rivalry with Cardiff.
“It’s with the players that have been there a while and spreads to the players that are new to the club. Nearer the time they’ll sense the build-up to those games. It’s like a cup final when we play them and what a great occasion for it to happen in the Premier League.
“The two sets of fans are looking forward to it I’m sure, I bet they can’t wait for the fixture lists to come out, but we’ve still got a job to do this season.”
While Swans fans are no doubt looking forward to renewing acquaintances with their bitter rivals, next up is another truly momentous occasion for the Swans - Alex Ferguson's last home game in charge of Man Utd. With such a big fixture looming, and a top-half Premier League finish all but secured, it's likely the Swansea players reacted to the Youtube video with a mixture of bewilderment and amusement, as from what I've seen of Cardiff (and what Tan and others have stated recently) they'll need/think they'll need quite a few signings to be competetive next year - the Swans will hardly be quaking in their boots.
That Swansea will be the opposition on the last occassion Ferguson leads his team out at Old Trafford is, as Alan Curtis has appropriately described it, an honour indeed. Fergie looks set to complete his 1499th in charge of the Red Devils against the Swans, and the final game of the season will see his total tick over to a nice round 1500. It truly is a staggering acheivement - I was born in January 1986 and Ferguson was appointed at Old Trafford in November of the same year, so the Scot has literally been in charge of Man Utd as long as I've been aware of football. It's going to be strange not seeing his name next to Manchester United next season, although he does look set to take up an off-field role. Quite who would be happy to work with Fergie breathing down their neck remains to be seen...
Can the Swans spoil his party? The atmosphere will be electric and knowing the PL they'll appoint Howard Webb to ensure Man Utd get all three points. These games tend to go one of two ways - and normally dramatically so. If Ferguson hadn't announced his retirement there'd be the possibility that the players would be taking it easy, given the ease with which they claimed the PL title, however with Fergie set to bid an emotional farewell to the Man Utd faithful it's likely the fans and the players alike will be full of energy as they try to give their idol an appropriate sendoff.
Much like at Wigan on Tuesday, a win for the opposition clearly means so much it almost makes me feel bad I'm hoping for a Swansea win, but that's the lot of a fan. Three points for the Swans and I'll be a happy bunny - even if it does rain on Ferguson's parade...