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September 2007 Archives

September 29, 2007

Saturday Stars

It may still only be September but you can't help feel all three of our clubs need big results already today.

The Swans - complete with Cardiff exile Warren Feeney in attack - host Brighton, knowing a win will restore the confidence of pre-season that they can play their way to promotion.

Wrexham will take anything against Lincoln to somehow scramble out of the relegation rut - although recent performances suggest that might be easier said than done.

And Cardiff can start creeping up the table and making their rivals nervous with a win in Yorkshire against Barnsley.

Listen to Dave Jones often enough and he'll tell you (ad nauseam) this is the toughest division to get out of, anybody can beat anybody, etc etc

Now, that is probably true - but you can't get away from the fact some games are easier than others and the Tykes are one of them.

Ask any Swans fan and they'll tell you they shouldn't even be here (penalties take a long time to get over!)

Simon Davey has done a great little job on hardly any money but this could be a season too far for the club - and Cardiff have to take full advantage of that if they are to build on recent results.

So early in the season it might be - but these next set of 90 minutes are the most important yet.

Then again, isn't that always the way . . .


 

September 25, 2007

Catching Up

How about a little catch-up. . .and I don't mean the prospect facing bottom of the league Wrexham at the moment.

Just in case you missed some of the big stories from Wales on Sunday this week, here they are again.

Can the Hart Go On? -We look at what's next for Big John Hartson, and hear the views of David Pleat - the manager who gave the super-sized striker his big break.


Hughes a Clever Boy- We spoke to former Wales boss Mark Hughes, looking every inch the Premier League manager at Blackburn, and found out what Jose's last words were.

The Three Amigos! - It's all gone a bit Club Med at the Morfa.

By the way, apologies for the lack of updates last week - computer gremlins got the better of the blog but normal service has resumed.


 

September 18, 2007

Wrexham Worries

The Johnstone Paints Trophy has often been maligned - but a win in the competition could mean everything for Wrexham later tonight.

The Red Dragons welcome Macclesfield at the Racecourse for the re-arranged first round tie this evening, not exactly in the finest of form.

And although it's league victories that will only start to lift the team away from the foot of the Football League, boss Brian Carey will know any win will do right now.

For the first few weeks of the season Wrexham were just a little bit unlucky, on Saturday against Rotherham they were just poor.

It was the same before the international break against Hereford, and the boos have already start to ring out at the Racecourse.

It's a shame because when you look at the squad that side should be away on optimism rather than already feeling the pressure.

That in itself is bad enough considering we're only a month and a bit into the season, but I'm afraid it's the hangover from last year that grips fans. It happened with Swansea and Kenny Jackett - a poor run at the back end of their first season in League One coupled with a poor start eventually saw the end of the Swans boss.

Let's hope Carey can start pulling things around soon - and tonight wouldn't be a bad start.

Confidence, momentum and positive vibes can all be gained with a victory, whatever the competition.

After all, they do say a win is a win, is a win, is a win......


 

September 15, 2007

Trust Swansea to come good at the end

Just returned from watching Swansea complete a comeback against Carlisle to snatch a 2-1 win, courtesy of late goals from Darryl Duffy and Paul Anderson.

One worrying note was the sight of the again-impressive Joe Allen limp off in the second half - if there's anything serious you'll hear about it in this week's Wales on Sunday. I'm sure Wales manager John Toshack will be keen to see if the 17-year-old's okay - he was at the Liberty tonight to keep his eye on the highly-rated midfielder.

But I have to mention the new campaign aimed at recruiting fans for the Swans Trust.

It simply states:
May 2 2001 Leeds Utd v Valencia - Champions League Semi Final
May 3 2008 - Leeds Utd v Gillingham - League One.

"It can happen to anyone at any time with little warning.

"Remember, when you watched that game on TV you had never heard of Tony Petty - more evidence of how quickly things can turn"

What a great way of ramming home the message to any fans that think Trusts and fans' support only matter when things are going against you.

The Trust at Swansea has done some great things - and I'm sure will continue to do so.

Continue reading "Trust Swansea to come good at the end" »


 

September 13, 2007

Cardiff loans could end Jones' moans

Looks like Cardiff boss Dave Jones will have to dip into the loan market sooner rather than later after another injury blow.

* Glenn Loovens has injured his foot and is a major doubt for Saturday's trip to Plymouth.

* Darren Purse - already out for three weeks after undergoing a cartilage operation - has suffered a setback after pikcing up an infection on the knee.

That means only Roger Johnson is left from Jones' three recognised centre-backs, and he was troubled by a knee problem in the Bluebirds' last outing before the international break, a 2-1 win at Norwich.

Luckily for Jones, versatile Kevin McNaughton looks to have recovered from his groin injury and should make the trip to Home Park.

But Jones has admitted he is nagging chairman Peter Ridsdale to keep on attacking the loan market for much-needed cover, with the club still keeping their eyes out for a new striker following Steve MacLean's extended absence.


 

September 12, 2007

Wales Secure Slovakia Revenge

Wales got even with Slovakia after Craig Bellamy inspired John Toshack's team to a 5-2 Euro 2008 qualifying win in Trnava.

Bellamy scored two and had a hand in the other three to secure just the second competitive away win under Tosh, making amends for the 5-1 hammering the Slovaks dished out in Cardiff last year.

And although the worrying defensive wobbles remained, Wales were able to get the goals and the victory needed to push this young side further along their road to development.

Continue reading "Wales Secure Slovakia Revenge" »


 

September 9, 2007

Wales Not even Klose - Big Nev's verdict

So, two Miroslav Klose goals was enough to see Germany stroll to victory over Wales and bring the recent optimism back down to earth.

Here's what Wales on Sunday columnist and Wales' record cap holder Neville Southall thought . . .


IN a private moment John Toshack might have thanked Germany coach Joachim Low for teaching his young Welsh pups an international footballing education.

Tosh’s tots can only learn from the German masterclass as their well-drilled opponents out-played, out-thought, out-muscled and dominated Wales.

The Welsh rookies paid the price for showing a world-class team too much respect and allowing a top five team walk all over them.

It is no slight of young Wales but Germany showed Gareth Bale and co the standard they need to attain to compete at the very top level of football.

Wales coach Toshack’s revolution is still in its infancy whereas the Germans – semi-finalists at last year’s World Cup – are the real deal; one of European football’s great forces are ready to roar again.

Continue reading "Wales Not even Klose - Big Nev's verdict" »


 

September 8, 2007

BREAKING NEWS - Bellamy out of Wales Germany Clash

Captain Craig Bellamy is out of Wales' Euro 2008 qualifier with Germany at the Millennium Stadium.

Bellamy missed training with his team-mates yesterday morning following minor compliactions over the birth of his daughter.

The striker's wife, Claire, gave birth to the couple's third child on Monday but problems have arisen to disrupt his time with the Welsh camp this week.

And despite insisting Bellamy was more than likely to feature, manager John Toshack dropped a bombshell just an hour before kick-off by leaving out the West Ham ace.

Bellamy's absence has meant Toshack has to shuffle his side, Joe Ledley coming into the team in midfield while Jason Koumas is likely to play just off main frontman Freddy Eastwood.

Danny Gabbidon has taken the armband having captained the side to victory in Bulgaria last month.

WALES SIDE TO PLAY GERMANY - Hennessey; Ricketts, J Collins, Gabbidon (Cpt), Nyatanga, Bale; Davies, Robinson, Ledley; Koumas; Eastwood.
SUBS: Morgan, Llewellyn, Jones, Crofts, Fletcher, Earnshaw, Price (gk).


 

September 8, 2007

Cardiff Calling for Wales and Germany

Just a few hours to go before Wales and Germany clash in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in their Euro 2008 qualifier.

It's a shame but the tension on the streets surrounding the stadium just isn't there.

Maybe the focus of the nation has shifted towards France with some tournament being played over there.

But just 30,000 - if they get a decent walk-up - is a real shame for what could prove to be a corker.

Wales have long had a decent record at home against the Germans, a side who might not have the top, top class stars of yesteryear but are still one of the best international outfits in the world today.

I for one am looking forward to seeing Bastien Schweinsteiger play - a class act who was one of the stars of the recent World Cup in my book.

But perhaps I'm more excited at seeing what our young guns can do on the big stage. Can Gareth Bale continue his great start to the season? Can Koumas step up like he's been asked to? Can Wayne Hennessey continue his clean sheet run for his country? Can Freddy Eastwood look as comfortable at international level as he did in Bulgaria?

It seems I'm not the only one after speaking to Wales on Sunday's exclusive columnist Neville Southall a few moments ago.

Big Nev, Wales' most capped player, told me: "They'll be feeling just so excited to get out there. They know they're playing a good, good team but they all want to show they can compete.

"And when you've got nothing to lose and you can relax and then you tend to play your best stuff. It was the same for me when Everton played Man Utd in the 1995 FA Cup final.

"And the same when we played Germany in 1991 -and we won that one too.

"Tosh will keep them in check and try to stop them using up that nervous energy until it comes to kick-off when they'll feel like they can take on the world.

"They'll need to fly out of the blocks. But if Wayne - who I really like the look of - can keep pulling off those saves, the defence and midfield play really well then you've got half a chance.

"And Eastwood showed he only needed half a chance against Bulgaria."

So, do Wales have half a chance? And will that be the boost this young team needs to kick-on for the rest of the campaign - and the whole of the next one?

It's a big ask, I'm looking forward to getting some answers in a few hours.

Stay logged on for team updates and some quick fire reaction after the game.

And then buy Wales on Sunday tomorrow for the best review of the game around - including Big Nev's full and exclusive verdict.


 

September 4, 2007

Crossing the Divide - Feeney aims to copy Mo

Warren Feeney crossed the big divide last week when he joined Swansea on loan from arch rivals Cardiff.

It's happened plenty of times when icons at Ninian Park have ended up at the Vetch (or now the Liberty) - but it's not been too often when they've gone directly to the other side.

Ivor Allchruch, Alan Curtis, Robbie James, Leighton Phillips, David Giles, Chris Marustick, Colin Pascoe, Terry Boyle, Paul Brayson, Dai Thomas, John Cornforth, John Williams, Kevin Nugent, Jason Bowen, Steve Jenkins, Tony Bird, Jimmy Gilligan, Andy Legg - just a few of the more memorable names who have played in both white and blue.

But there is one name that stands out - and for a while he was universally hated both sides of the Bluebird & Swan gap. Dave Penney.

Continue reading "Crossing the Divide - Feeney aims to copy Mo" »


 

September 4, 2007

Can't Play, Won't Play - Danny Collins out of Wales Squad

Danny Collins' international future is in doubt once more - but this time it looks like it really is all over for the Sunderland defender.

The former Buckley and Chester stopper pulled out of John Toshack's squad for the games against Germany and Slovakia citing an ankle problem.

But he - perhaps foolishly - conceded to Tosh that he was striving to be for the Makems' Premier League clash with Reading after the international break.

Naturally, that hasn't gone down too well with the Wales boss and he let it slip he doesn't expect to speak to 27-year-old Collins again.

Continue reading "Can't Play, Won't Play - Danny Collins out of Wales Squad" »


 

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