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March 19, 2008

Reggae Boy Hall Music to the Ears of Wrexham Fans

Paul Hall is a Wrexham hero already - after all, he did score against Chester.

But he's also won the hearts of a few Dragons followers for his comments last week that he's fallen in love with the Racecourse outfit.

The ex-Jamaica international was genuine in his sentiment too, even though it's all too easy for veterans like himself to just be picking up a pay packet at this stage of their careers.

With his World Cup days with the Reggae Boyz a while back now, Hall might not have had the pick of the clubs to move to in the January window.

But he sure as anything didn't have to choose a side - to all those who don't know the club - are everyone's favourites to drop into the non-league 'abyss'.

Same too for Danny Sonner and Carl Tremarco.

Still, it seems I've caused a bit of a stir with some Wrexham supporters for suggesting a selection of fans are worried that those on short-term deals, with no ties to the club, didn't think these guys had the heart for a fight. Not in the same way Wrexham boy Neil Roberts would have.

I mean, short-term deals mean they would be out of the door anyway should the Dragons go down.

That doesn't seem to be the case anyway at Colliers Park, but - no matter what some have said - it is a whispered worry of some.

I heard it myself while taking in a post-game pint at the Centenary bar.

It might not be a majority, but there were some.

Thankfully, their fears are unfounded.

Brian Little's boys are big on heart - now they just need a points tally to match.


 

November 13, 2007

Backing, Sacking and New Arrivals

Cardiff City have backed under-fire boss Dave Jones - but have left him in no uncertain terms that he needs to turn results around.

Chairman Peter Ridsdale is a firm fan of Jones and the ex-Wolves and Southampton chief also has supporters among the rest of the board and key investors.

And they showed they're not in the business of pressing the panic button by standing by their man after a meeting earlier today.

But they pointed out the recent form has been unacceptable - and if Jones' needed a timely reminder of what's at stake it was the swift sacking of Paul Simpson at Championship rivals Preston.

Preston, like Cardiff, were among the high-flyers last year but have not lived up to expectation this time around.

It means Preston, Norwich, Palace and QPR - the only sides below City in the table - have all given their bosses the boot.

Meanwhile, Wrexham are set to announce who will step into the manager's role at the Racecourse to work "alongside" Brain Carey. It could be a fight between Stan Ternent and Brian Little. If it's the former, Carey will be packing his bags.


 

November 11, 2007

Brian Carey's Reaction to Posh Cup Defeat

Apolgies Wrexham fans - somehow quotes from last year's game at Peterborough made it to the paper today.
Here's what should have appeared and what Brian Carey actually said following the 4-1 defeat at London Road.

Brian Carey refused to defend his players any longer as the question of who will lead Wrexham after the international break remained unanswered.
Carey has regularly sheltered his players from blame after previous defeats.
But after what could have been his last game in charge, Carey admitted his side let him down as the spectre of a new man at the Racecourse loomed large.
Asked whether he thought his players would have at least given him a final send-off, Carey said: "They let me down - but I tried to spin that and tell them that there could be somebody watching in the stand too see what response I got.
"The situation has been difficult and the players could have used it as an excuse but you would have to ask them about that.
"All I've done is focussed on preparing for the Fa Cup - we did that. But I hoped the Cup could spark these players into life but I guess I was wrong.
"The second goals was just a calamity, it was like a circus act and that's quite appropriate at the moment because that's what we're doing - we're killing ourselves week after week.
"You can't legislate for things like that, we absolutely gifted them their goals and it cost us dearly yet again. Peterborough are a good side and they didn't need any help to beta us - but we gave it to them."
Carey will now wait and see what decisions the board make, although it is thought Carey was happy to make any decision of a potential new man public.
Still, there is no idea whether the "senior" man being sought will come in above Carey or simply replace him.
The Irishman added: "This has been difficult for everybody but now we've got an opportunity in the next two weeks to put some foundations in place for the future of this club. All I can ask is that we wait and see what happens.
"Somebody will come in in some capacity but I don't want to speculate on my position, I'll have to wait and see. Asking me if I want to stay is not a question for me."

ends


 

November 3, 2007

Ridsdale, Refs and Ringside - The Week That's WoS

What a week it's been - and still could be - in Welsh sport.

Apologies for those who've logged on and not seen much updating recently - this blog's author has been on a Halloween holiday.

But with Guy Fawke's Night almost upon us, the fireworks are all set to go off tonight at the Millennium Stadium as Joe Calzaghe takes on Mikkel Kessler in a super-middleweight slug-out.

If you stay online (and awake), this blog will take a veer away from football for a few hours to give you live updates.

Then you can read the very first detailed reports from Wales on Sunday's top boxing writer Pete Shuttleworth on www.icwales.co.uk, or in later editions of tomorrow's paper.

Still, it's not all about boxing and Welsh football held its own in terms of an explosive week.

First we had Peter Ridsdale's launch of his new book United We Fall, a great insight to the life at the top of a Premier League football club and his early days at Cardiff.

Wales on Sunday has spoken to the City chairman, who admits there could be a few more chapters to add yet, plus exclusive extracts from the book.

It comes on the back of Cardiff's trip to Anfield and the official start of work on the club's new stadium - but results around the Championship today mean eyes will very much be on Tuesday night's game against Palace to lift them away from the bottom places.

In League One, Swansea dropped points at home to Gillingham last night but could still hold their heads up high after a superb performance against the odds.

Referee Stuart Atwell - 25, in his first year as a ref and in his first ever League One game - gave one of the most woeful performances from a man in black I have ever seen. Ever.

But the ten men Swans still really should have won the game - even before Andy Robinson's last gasp penalty miss.

There's the fall-out from that game in tomorrow's paper - plus a look ahead to next week's FA Cup game.

We look forward to Wrexham's big cup clash with Peterborough and a certain reunion with Darren Ferguson, plus the big derby clash with the Shrews tomorrow.

See, told you it was a hell of a week.

Now, C'mon Joe - make it even better.


 

October 8, 2007

What a Weekend . . .

So rugby unites as a nation then, does it?
Well, the smiles on faces this morning suggests football plays a small part too.
Try telling Cardiff fans it's a miserable time to be a Welshman after their first home win in seven months.
And try pulling Swans supporters down off cloud nine after faith in promotion was restored five times over at top-of-the-table Orient on Saturday.
And even Wrexham followers - down in the dumps for weeks - are seeing things a bit brighter after Friday night's success.
Now all we need is for Tosh's team to follow suit against Cyprus on Saturday and we're done!

Continue reading "What a Weekend . . ." »


 

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......


 

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 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 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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