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Glen Williams

Russell Martin hits nail on the head over why Swansea City are dominating Cardiff City in South Wales derbies

Russell Martin believes Cardiff City's managerial merry-go-round has helped his Swansea City side become so dominant in the South Wales derby in recent years.

Since the Bluebirds returned to the Championship, they have now had five managers in the dugout in seven derby fixtures. The Swans, meanwhile, have had only two in Steve Cooper and Martin.

In a fixture which has been famously tightly-fought for more than a century, Swansea have had the wood over their rivals in recent times. Martin, in fact, doesn't even know what it's like to be on the losing side, despite taking charge of three derby fixtures.

READ MORE: Cardiff City player ratings v Swansea City as Callum Robinson ruins derby with idiotic red card

And when asked why Swansea have been the superior force in these recent fixtures, Martin said: "Well that's the third manager we have played in three games. That's probably it.

"We've stuck through some tough moments and we have something to identify with and a real clarity in what we are doing.

"I can't speak for Cardiff or what they are doing. But for us, we have stuck to a real plan and have clarity and belief in it. Even at times, when it got tough, we stuck to it. It's probably that."

There has been a lack of vision and direction from Cardiff in recent seasons which has seen them drop further down the league every year. Having now suffered their third successive defeat, the Bluebirds are in 20th place in the table.

On the other hand, Swansea have ascended to their highest-ever league position under Martin, sitting in fourth after winning six of their last seven matches.

Martin added: "We spoke about it in a recent fans' forum, we either buy or we build. We are trying to build. I've been really keen to stress to everyone when I first came in that it's going to take time.

"I think from day one we set out with a clear plan and you could see the vision for the team. We are starting to really reap some rewards now with the patience everyone has shown.

"Everyone is starting to enjoy the identity of the team and the connection. The fact that it's improved is just down to time. I just got asked a minute ago, 'After the Hull game, what was the switch?' There's no switch. It wasn't just a case of saying, 'Lads lets just be really good now and win loads of games'.

"It's not how it happens. It's about time, patience and understanding and more importantly, focusing on people and performance rather than the outcome. Because if you become obsessed about the outcome and results, speaking from personal experience as a player, it's really difficult to go through that."

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