Swansea City v Cardiff City: Derby success like winning at Wembley, says Luke Williams
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Swansea's defeat at Bristol City last weekend ended a three-game unbeaten run
Swansea City head coach Luke Williams says success in the south Wales derby means as much as winning at Wembley.
Williams leads Swansea against their rivals for the first time when Cardiff City visit on Saturday.
But he has tasted Welsh football's biggest club fixture as an assistant to Russell Martin, when Swansea beat their rivals 3-0 in October 2021.
"I spent three days in bliss after the first time I was involved and we won, so I know how it feels," Williams said.
"It is a feeling that you cannot replace with anything else. If you could and you could sell it, you'd make millions, wouldn't you?"
Williams led Notts County to promotion to League Two via the National League play-off final last May.
His Magpies side beat Chesterfield on penalties in front of more than 38,000 at Wembley.
"Being promoted at Wembley was mind-blowing," he added.
"The closest thing I can compare that to is this derby and the feeling of winning it."
Jamie Paterson, Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell were on target when ex-Swansea boss Martin registered the first of four successive derby victories over Cardiff.
Williams had left Swansea by the time they won 4-0 at Cardiff to secure the first league double in the history of the fixture in 2021-22.
After another Swansea double last season, the Bluebirds have the chance to secure their maiden league double against the neighbours this weekend having won 2-0 at home last September.
Cardiff come into the game in fine form, having won four straight matches to lift themselves to within five points of the Championship's top six.
Swansea, meanwhile, are five points clear of the relegation zone in 15th having lost for the first time in four games at Bristol City last Sunday.
Success against Cardiff would move Swansea a step closer to securing their second-tier status for next season, though Williams says league position is irrelevant this weekend.
Swansea have won four of their last five home games against Cardiff
A game worth 'more than three points'
"Three points matter, but this game matters more than three points because the feeling we can give to our people is worth at least one more point," he said.
"I don't think they will give us four points if we win the game, but we will take the imaginary one ourselves if we do."
Though they were beaten in the Welsh capital earlier this season, Swansea have had the upper hand against Cardiff in recent years, having won seven of the clubs' last 10 meetings.
Williams says his players "feel quite hurt" about their most recent derby performance and are hungry to make amends this weekend.
"We have to be able to play with freedom and without too much tension," he added.
"But there's a cocktail because you need to be on high alert and concentrate and focus, then find the moments to express yourself and make the big actions. That's the key."
Striker Mykola Kuharevich will miss the derby because of a minor foot injury, while long-term absentees Liam Walsh, Josh Ginnelly and Sam Parker remain sidelined.