So 3 pulsating South Wales derbies. 1 win and 2 draws, 4 sendings off (including Tom Butler's today), 9 goals and no end of drama. I think you have to say all in all, that's job well done. Faultless Opening Round, Cardiff hanging on in Round Two and using their Get out of Jail Free card in Round Three.
While I'd actually disagree slightly with Roberto Martinez's post-match assessment, (I thought a draw was, on the balance of play, a fair result) today's game showed us much more about the Swans.
Having seen Cardiff on numerous occasions this season, I thought it was today's derby that brought out the best in them. Some of their play was slick, forthright and competitive. That the Swans dealt with it comfortably for the main part, is a huge credit to them. While some supporters will look at the derbies with slight frustration because we could have taken more from them, for me we take the moral as well as the overall victory.
After each derby, it is Cardiff that have been considered the lucky ones. They were frankly thankful to get off the pitch after the Carling Cup game, and counting the seconds down following Gorki Pintado's equaliser in November. Today, they had to rely on an incredibly harsh decision to rescue a point in front of their fans. Galling it may be, but Jacks everywhere must remember we will get decisions like that eventually, it comes with experience.
The 'penalty' was well, I don't even think I need to go there. In all honesty, after 90 minutes of controlled refereeing, I have no idea why it was given. Most decisions were given on their merits, and while I had my heart in my mouth for 98% of the time, I actually didn't at that point. My instinct was 'Never' and then horror of all horrors, penalty.
It summed up the season in many respects. Much, much promise, plenty of style and substance, along with a touch of naivety which has undoubtedly unhinged us at crucial times this year. 59 points with 5 games to go in the Championship though? Not bad for a side tipped for relegation.
The play-offs are gone this season, it's true. But with Ferrie Bodde, Marcos Painter to come back, the continued development fo the current squad and another off-season for Martinez to do his best impression of David Dickinson, there are only positives to be talked about.
'Swings and roundabouts' they say - This season must be the swing, so next year should make for one hell of a roundabout. We may not have got the 3 points, and won today's battle, but we won the war, and under Martinez, you fancy it to be not the only one to be won.
PS - Just to clear up one or two people's guestbook comments:-
-Walter Boyd was sent off after 0 seconds. He was subbed on, eand elbowed a player before play restarted, giving him the dubious honour of the 'fastest ever sending off'. Tom Butler's sending off is nothing new, at least not to the footballing world. There have been numerous instances where a substitute or manager have been sent off by the referee for dissent or remonstrating with another official.
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