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August 2007 Archives

August 31, 2007

Deadline Day - and Purse is out

Cardiff City didn't get their transfer deadline day off to the best of starts after captain Darren Purse was ruled out for up to a month.

The City skipper will undergo surgery at midday to repair cartilage damage to the knee after the defender picked up the injury in the midweek cup win over Orient.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones was hoping for better news when he ran the rule over striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in training this morning, the Dutch striker struggling with a minor knock to the ankle.

And he will also be keeping his fingers crossed he has some better luck in the transfer market after failing so far to land any new signings.

Jones has admitted he has made offers for players but has not yet manage to add to his numbers, with a defender and a striker on the priority list.

Swansea have managed to secure Middlesbrough keeper David Knight and are hopeful of bringing in two more before the window closes at midnight.


 

August 29, 2007

Cardiff Strikers' Taster against the Orient

Cardiff finally unveiled their big-name strike force in the Carling Cup win over Leyton Orient as Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink made their competitive Bluebirds bows.

The pair were given starts in the second round tie and gave fans - a tidy 6,150 - a glimpse of what they could offer the club's promotion charge.

But the jury is still out after the display as neither could find the net, with City needing a late, late winner from Peter Whittingham to send them through.

Continue reading "Cardiff Strikers' Taster against the Orient" »


 

August 25, 2007

Bale Set to Earn Spurs

Gareth Bale is set to win his Premier League bow in tomorrow's big clash between Spurs and Man Utd.

And what a time to make your big-time bow as the defending champions look for their first win of the season while Spurs' boss Martin Jol remains under huge pressure with the North London club.

It's hardly a low-profile start for Bale, who is Wales' most expensive ever player following his £10m switch from Southampton in the summer.

Not that the Cardiff-born kid is fazed by the daunting prospect of making your top-flight debut at Old Trafford in front of the TV cameras.

The 18-year-old has been speaking to Wales on Sunday this week about facing idol and former international captain Ryan Giggs. But Bale is solely focused on pulling on a lilywhite shirt for the first time and helping the under-fire club start their charge for a Champions League place.

Still, the fact Jol is prepared to throw the youngster straight into the heat of the battle after his recovery from a thigh problem speaks volumes for how his ability and temperament is viewed at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham officials were keen for Bale to play 45 minutes out in Bulgaria in midweek to boost his fitness and have worked closely with FAW staff to monitor his progress.

It points to a happy relationship - and hopefully Bale will be all smiles tomorrow after he finally becomes a Premier League player in earnest.


 

August 22, 2007

Wales Win in Bulgaria

Freddy Eastwood made John Toshack's day with a stunning debut goal to earn Wales a 1-0 win in Bulgaria.

The Wolves striker hammered home from outside the box on the stroke of half-time in his first game for his adopted country.

It still needed a brave rearguard effort and some fine keeping from Wayne Hennessey, but a result like this for a side with an average age of under 23 is not something to sneeze at.

And it gives Tosh his first win in three and a timely boost before next month's big Euro qualifying clash against Germany.

Continue reading "Wales Win in Bulgaria" »


 

August 22, 2007

Wales Under 21s shine in Sweden

Brian Flynn's Under 21 side gave Wales some hope for the future with a fantastic friendly result out in Sweden.

And the side that worked hard for a 4-3 win included the three names Wales on Sunday told you to look out for this year; Rhys Williams, Ched Evans and Sam Vokes.

Flynn's fledglings were 3-1 down to a Ola Toivonen hat-trick inside the opening 45 minutes thanks to two penalties for the hosts.

But goals from David Cotterill, David Edwards, Vokes and Swansea City's exciting young midfielder Joe Allen won it for the rookie Dragons.

Continue reading "Wales Under 21s shine in Sweden" »


 

August 21, 2007

Wales Could Have a Cup of Cheer

In all the excitement of Saturday's games, the draw for the second round of the Carling Cup got overshadowed.

But the games - scheduled for next week - are all bound to cause a stir soon enough with our Welsh clubs for different reasons.

Cardiff - albeit doggedly - got past League One side Brighton in last week's first round and now face another lower division opponent in Leyton Orient.

Swansea will play the Premier League's unlikely high-flyers Reading after seeing off a strong Walsall outfit last week.

And finally Wrexham have landed the plum draw when they were handed a home tie with Martin O'Neil's Aston Villa.

Continue reading "Wales Could Have a Cup of Cheer" »


 

August 18, 2007

Wales Fit and Ready

After four positive results for our Welsh sides, the national team is set for more good news with withdrawals set to be at a minimum for Wales game with Bulgaria this week.

John Toshack has not yet received any further injury notices after James Collins pulled out earlier this week with a calf problem.

FAW officials will be waiting by the phone to double check the rest of the 21-man squad have come through today's games unscathed.

Steve Evans didn’t play for Wrexham after he continues his recovery from an ankle problem picked up in pre-season, but he will be fit to report, while Mark Jones did feature in the Red Dragons' win over Morcambe.

Read Wales on Sunday tomorrow for more news on the game and the best review and reaction of the rest of the football.

Cardiff fans will be smiling that their off-the-field troubles have been overshadowed by their 2-0 win at QPR, their first league points and goals of the new campaign coming at the same time courtesy of Steve MacLean and Paul Parry.

Wrexham will be pleased to get over their opening day defeat at Darlington by seeing off the league's new boys.

And while Swansea didn't get the victory they were after, the performance at the Liberty Stadium will have had fans purring and rivals quaking as only the woodwork and keeper Paul Smith stopped the hosts.


 

August 15, 2007

No Hartson for Swansea

John Hartson won't be joining Swansea City despite rumours that the ex-Wales international is ready to come home.

The Swansea-born striker has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Liberty Stadium since Lee Trundle's £1m move to Bristol City last month.

But sources inside the club are adamant there has been no movement to bring Big John to Swansea, even with Roberto Martinez on the look out for a new striker to add to his front-line ranks.

Continue reading "No Hartson for Swansea" »


 

August 11, 2007

Wales Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football? That's what we're hoping for this season in Wales with our three Coca-Cola League clubs all with promotion on their minds. Can this be the year for Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham?

Predictions have been flying around for weeks and last week's Wales on Sunday had a few from myself, sports writer Pete Shuttleworth and Wales' most capped player Neville Southall.

For me, Cardiff are capable of a top six place despite being up against the millionaires row of West Brom, Sheffield United and the rest, while Roberto Martinez's Spanish-influenced Swans are good enough for an automatic spot. Wrexham - although they'll push - could fall away so I've left them in ninth.

Wales great Nev is a bit more optimistic - predicting play-off places for Cardiff and Swansea and a title year for the Red Dragons.

Continue reading "Wales Fantasy Football" »


 

August 8, 2007

Wrexham BIG Season Preview

Wrexham could be on a winner this year, especially with manager Brian Carey getting a helping hand from the best boss in the business - Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Red Dragons chief revealed how he's getting tips from Fergie to the Wales on Sunday this week, and you can read my colleague Pete Shuttleworth's excellent article here . . .
SIR Alex Ferguson will be Wrexham’s secret weapon in their League Two promotion push.

British football’s greatest manager has been sharing his knowledge and experience with rookie Racecourse boss Brian Carey. Fergie’s son Darren was favourite to succeed Denis Smith earlier this year – but Wrexham’s new board shocked fans by letting Ferguson Jnr leave to manage League Two rivals Peterborough.

But the footballing knight is still having an influence at Wrexham as Carey revealed Fergie’s pep talks helped the Reds boss inspire Wrexham’s great escape from Football League relegation last term.

Ferguson was a father figure to the former Irish defender Carey during his four years at Manchester United – and 14 years after leaving Old Trafford, the nine-time Premier League winner is still mentoring his pupil.

Fiery Scot Fergie has also been on the phone over the summer as Carey plots Wrexham’s route out of League Two – but with promotion rather than relegation.

Continue reading "Wrexham BIG Season Preview" »


 

August 8, 2007

Swansea BIG Season Preview

Swansea City are all set for their third-time lucky attempt on League One and manager Roberto Martinez is feeling optimistic.

He told Wales on Sunday just how much this week, and you can read it again in full here . .

ROBERTO Martinez’s optimism is infectious.

Perhaps, more importantly, it is genuine.

There is a sense of excitement in the voice of the Swansea manager as he awaits his first full season in charge, an enthusiasm that exposes a feeling for the football club whose future he can help shape.

There can be no doubt, Martinez is in love with Swansea City.

“If it wasn’t this club, if it wasn’t Swansea City who asked, then I wouldn’t yet be in management,” said Martinez.

Continue reading "Swansea BIG Season Preview" »


 

August 8, 2007

Cardiff BIG Season Preview

As Cardiff City get ready to mount their Championship campaign, Dave Jones spoke to the Wales on Sunday.

In case you missed it, read the BIG interview in full. . .

JUST a week before the season starts, managers up and down the country were issued a timely reminder of the pitfalls of their job.

“I hope to see you all here next year,” John Barnwell, the League Managers’ Association chief told his members at a conference. “But I know I won’t.”

In the congregation of coaches and bosses sat Dave Jones, a man who knows there is no exception to the rule that sees – on average – 40 managers sacked every season.

Even if the pressure on Jones to succeed is a result of the expectation levels he has raised himself, the Cardiff manager knows that’s the danger of the job he chose.

“If I walked away from this club tomorrow, the one thing I know I’ve done is raise the expectation levels,” said the straight-talking Scouser.

Continue reading "Cardiff BIG Season Preview" »


 

August 4, 2007

Boy Wonder for Wales?

Wales could put up a fight to land the whizz-kid the world has been watching this week.

Rhain Davis has caught the imagination of internet users across the globe after a video of his samba-like skills was posted on website YouTube.

He has already been snapped up by Manchester United's academey after the nine-year-old was compared with fellow boy-wonder (although a veteran compared with this nipper) Wayne Rooney.

Even the front page of The Sun was dedicated to the youngster, who hails from Brisbane, Australia, after more than 3 million hits on the selection of his tricks for junior club Redlands United.

He faces a long journey ahead, of course, but excited observers are tipping him to be a future England ace because he holds a British passport.

But of course, that means he has his choice of the home nations and if Wales are quick they could make sure he wears red instead of white in any future international career.

I mean, with a name like Davis, he'd fit straight in.

And the old enemy owe us one after nicking Owen Hargreaves.


 

August 2, 2007

Wales should watch out for League Talent

Believe it or not, it's season preview time already and all eyes will be firmly fixed on the Premiership for Wales' top stars.

But don't forget what's bubbling underneath for Tosh's team - and I don't mean the usual suspects from our three FL clubs.

There's a few others around the country who - given a good season - could find themselves in contention for international places for the six games left of this campaign.

One has been in the headlines recently after Luton and Shrewsbury settled their differences over a fee for his services. The player in question? Midfielder David Edwards, who seems like he's been around for years but is still only 21.

Edwards broke through at the Shrews as a 16-year-old and has gained good experience at the lower end of the league, but now has been given his chance to step up under Kevin Blackwell. Involved with Wales in the last squad before play-off commitments ruled him out, Edwards could yet prove to be the player we all hope he can be.

Continue reading "Wales should watch out for League Talent" »


 

August 1, 2007

Wrexham Could Miss Out on Triallist

Brian Carey could miss out on impressive triallist Kaid Mohamed after he played for Swindon last night.

Mohamed, 22, has caught the eye in the Red Dragon's pre-season outings so far, scoring against Blackburn last month and looking the part during the club's mini-tour to Northern Ireland.

But the striker, who has yet to be told if he will be given a contract, has also been given a chance to earn a deal with newly promoted League One outfit Swindon, with manager Paul Sturrock starting him in a friendly game against Bristol City at the County Ground last night.


Carey does have plenty of options up-front , but he'd be loathe to miss out on the next hit to come out of the Welsh Premier.

Swindon, who also used a trial game where fans could text in their recommendations last week, also tried to scupper Swansea's chances of landing Owain Tudur Jones from Bangor a couple of seasons back. Although Jones has been unlucky with injuries, no-one could doubt he was worth a punt by then-manager Kenny Jackett.

And perhaps Carey would do a lot worse by offering ex-Carmarthen, Llanelli and Cwmbran youngster Mohamed a short-term deal.

Continue reading "Wrexham Could Miss Out on Triallist" »


 

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