JAY BOTHROYD STOKES UP CITY v SWANS 'DERBY'
Wed Mar 23, 2022 10:38 pm
Bothroyd: The hardest player I played with and dastardly Swans tactics
By Glenn Williams
Former Bluebirds striker Jay Bothroyd has stoked the flames ahead of the South Wales derby, claiming that Swansea City fans tried some underhand tactics to unsettle Cardiff's players during his time with the club.
Speaking on Ultimate Champions, ex-England striker Bothroyd said: "Swansea, that was an amazing game. That goes under the radar, that derby. We would go and stay in Swansea and fans would set fire alarms off in the hotel so we wouldn't get any sleep and we would come out in our dressing gowns and stuff!
"That was how it was. We played there and I remember it is so daunting to go there, but as a player you have to embrace that pressure. But one tackle and the fans are up, shouting, screaming, managers are arguing. That's what you get in the Championship.
"I didn't score against Swansea, but Craig Bellamy scored right at the end and we won and it was like amazing. We were all celebrating at the end, even when you get on the coach their fans are all giving you abuse and you are just sticking your fingers up and enticing them!"
Quite why Cardiff were staying in Swansea, just 30 minutes down the road, is anyone's guess. But who would quibble with such a story?!
Reflecting further on his time at Cardiff, Bothroyd was asked who his favourite strike partner was. As you can imagine, the answer was pretty obvious. "I had Michael Chopra and Ross McCormack. Ross McCormack was quality. He could dribble, shoot with both feet, take free-kicks. The technique, he was strong," he said.
"Chops was just a predator. Any loose ball, any flick-on was in his path and he was a good finisher. I would go with Chops (as my best strike partner), because that season we did really well, he scored a lot of goals. The relationship we had on the pitch was like a sixth sense."
When asked who the "hardest player" he had played with was, Bothroyd said: "Darren Purse. He had the biggest calves in the world. He was always wearing long studs. In training he used to smash me all the time.
"He was one of those players who used to set the tone every game. A proper leader. In training, it would be train as you play, he always did that. As a forward you don't want to get smashed on a Friday before a game, but he said he was getting me ready for the game!"
By Glenn Williams
Former Bluebirds striker Jay Bothroyd has stoked the flames ahead of the South Wales derby, claiming that Swansea City fans tried some underhand tactics to unsettle Cardiff's players during his time with the club.
Speaking on Ultimate Champions, ex-England striker Bothroyd said: "Swansea, that was an amazing game. That goes under the radar, that derby. We would go and stay in Swansea and fans would set fire alarms off in the hotel so we wouldn't get any sleep and we would come out in our dressing gowns and stuff!
"That was how it was. We played there and I remember it is so daunting to go there, but as a player you have to embrace that pressure. But one tackle and the fans are up, shouting, screaming, managers are arguing. That's what you get in the Championship.
"I didn't score against Swansea, but Craig Bellamy scored right at the end and we won and it was like amazing. We were all celebrating at the end, even when you get on the coach their fans are all giving you abuse and you are just sticking your fingers up and enticing them!"
Quite why Cardiff were staying in Swansea, just 30 minutes down the road, is anyone's guess. But who would quibble with such a story?!
Reflecting further on his time at Cardiff, Bothroyd was asked who his favourite strike partner was. As you can imagine, the answer was pretty obvious. "I had Michael Chopra and Ross McCormack. Ross McCormack was quality. He could dribble, shoot with both feet, take free-kicks. The technique, he was strong," he said.
"Chops was just a predator. Any loose ball, any flick-on was in his path and he was a good finisher. I would go with Chops (as my best strike partner), because that season we did really well, he scored a lot of goals. The relationship we had on the pitch was like a sixth sense."
When asked who the "hardest player" he had played with was, Bothroyd said: "Darren Purse. He had the biggest calves in the world. He was always wearing long studs. In training he used to smash me all the time.
"He was one of those players who used to set the tone every game. A proper leader. In training, it would be train as you play, he always did that. As a forward you don't want to get smashed on a Friday before a game, but he said he was getting me ready for the game!"
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Re: JAY BOTHROYD STOKES UP CITY v SWANS 'DERBY'
Thu Mar 24, 2022 7:53 am
He always speaks well,like him a lot 
Re: JAY BOTHROYD STOKES UP CITY v SWANS 'DERBY'
Thu Mar 24, 2022 9:34 am
You just got to love Jay 
Re: JAY BOTHROYD STOKES UP CITY v SWANS 'DERBY'
Thu Mar 24, 2022 12:01 pm
Purse smashing him up on a Friday, getting him ready for the game on Saturday 