Young Welsh Players 2008-2009 by John Lloyd Jones

As the old saying goes “one swallow does not make a summer” and I do have to bear in mind such sentiments as I look back on the past season. In my usual fashion, I am attempting to provide a balanced assessment of the quality of the young players available for Brian Flynn’s U-21 side, although almost all of them have already made appearances in the senior side. My article of a year ago did possibly provide some optimistic points for the followers of Welsh international football, but I have to admit to have been more than pleasantly surprised by events that occurred in the 2007-2008 season. With this in mind, it will be difficult not to get carried away with lofty ambitions for the coming season.

Although there was quite a positive feeling within the Welsh camp and at the individual clubs about a number of players, it had to be tempered by the fact that it was largely speculative. The progress achieved, or even a reputation gained, at youth level play does not by any means guarantee it will be maintained even if a move into the first team is achieved. The many success stories throughout the 2007-2008 season were very much welcomed news for those of us that wish for all the positive news possible as regards Welsh international football. Many of the young men who had already showed an ability to perform ably in first team football were thrust into new and more difficult challenges and a reasonable number ended the season with reputations further enhanced. Added onto this was what has to be viewed as a remarkable success story for the U-21 side. They not only adequately dispatched of what in the past has been troublesome mediocre competition, but also made an early season visit to France to play what has to be acknowledged as a team regarded as possible world class at this level. A 1-0 defeat was largely considered a fine result as the team showed an ability to provide a strong competitive display against the young “Les Blues”. The return fixture, a couple of months later, was possibly anticipated with some trepidation by many supporters (me included), surely some of the young cream of Europe could not be kept in check a second time. Well, as we all know, not only was this to become a fact, but a 4-2 Welsh victory surely had the rest of the footballing world somewhat astonished. The season ended with the team in pole position in the group qualification table with two matches remaining, a total reversal from what we have seen happen most instances in the past. Home and away fixtures against Romania will bring about a conclusion of the group events. Undoubtedly these will be a stern test and one hopes that the team will not be overawed by the historic event that will occur should they successfully finish in one of the two qualifying positions. A further play-off format would then have to be negotiated to secure a place in the finals in Sweden in the summer of 2009. If this becomes a reality, one can reasonably assume that Welsh international football could make further strides toward a future appearance on the World stage.

John Toshack has already regularly included some of these youngsters in the senior team and given a number of others the experience of some amount of senior international football. With a new World Cup qualifying campaign about to get under way, Toshack and Flynn will have to consider how to balance the quality of talent to give both the senior and U-21 teams the greatest possible opportunity for success. A Welsh appearance at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa is considered at best a long shot, even without any unexpected stumbles, finishing ahead Germany or Russia would be a great achievement. Never the less, I am sure that Toshack will have set a goal of finishing no worse than third in the group. This would not only build a confidence level for the team, but also possibly help acquire a better ranking for future tournaments. Added to this is experience of top class international football gained by the young players he will include in the team. The senior team also produced some reasonable results and displays during 2007-2008. There is no doubt that they will have to keep improving further to be regularly competitive against the best teams, but I think it is fair to say that a good part of the ground work has been put in place. John Toshack can feel that he has some amount of strength in depth in the squad these days. Some of the successes of last season were possible even though, what were considered key members of the team, were injured and unavailable. Such situations have been quite an achilles heel to Welsh teams of the past.

Now I had better move on and give my list of the young players to keep note of next season.

1)     Joe Ledley (Cardiff City)

 Midfield

  DoB -  23-01-1987

        I have placed Joe deservedly at the head of this list. Although he had already impressed many, last season Joe made another step forward in his progress, becoming an extremely important member of both the Cardiff and Wales senior teams as a key midfield contributor. Although Cardiff’s league season eventually failed in their quest for promotion, there was the consolation of an F.A.Cup final appearance, even though that ended up as a narrow loss to a good Portsmouth team. As the season came to an end, there was a great deal of speculation that Joe would start the coming season at a Premier club. It seems he and Cardiff have the desire for him to stay and make another attempt at promotion. It is almost a certainty that Joe will eventually take the field at Premier level and it most certainly would be superb for Welsh football if he could realize such a dream at his hometown club. John Toshack will also increasingly look to Joe as a leader, as he attempts to move the team forward towards World recognition.

 

 2)     Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspurs)

 Defender

  DoB -  16-07-1989

        Gareth’s fans may well feel aggrieved at my decision to switch his and Joe’s placement this time around. It was regarded as a very tough test for one so young when his transfer from the Saints to Spurs went ahead last summer. There is no doubt in saying that he certainly took the Premier League by storm, carrying on where he had left off in the Championship. Unfortunately injury ended his season after only a total of a dozen games. Now that he has recovered from that misfortune, hopefully, his pre-season training will go well and he can continue his impressive Premier displays. When fit, he has shown good ability to cope with top class senior international football and I am sure John Toshack is hoping that his tremendous progress will be continued. Welsh football fans and the management team will be anxious that lengthy injury periods can be avoided in the future.

 

3)     Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

 Goalkeeper

  DoB –  24-01-1987

        Wayne is another young man who made very good progress last season. After overcoming a couple of frustrating injury seasons and finally getting a taste of first team and senior international football in the second half of 2006-2007, much was anticipated. He certainly did not disappoint those who hoped Wales had maybe found a goalkeeper that could be the extra defensive shield as in the days of Neville Southall. His strong performances for both Wolves and Wales have lead to a great deal of speculation of moves to a Premiership club. A strong resolve by the Wolves management group to hold on to their prized asset in order to give them the best possible chance for promotion has, to this point, meant that transfer enquiries have produced negative responses. There is little doubt that if Wayne’s form continues in similar fashion, he will be plying his trade in Premier colours in a season or two, be it with Wolves or some other team.

 

4)     Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

 Midfield

  DoB -  26-12-1990

        As exciting as it must have been for Aaron to have become Cardiff City’s youngest debutant when it occurred in April 2007, I am sure that the experience of the 2007-2008 season was even more so. A careful introduction to the rigours of tough Championship matches was generally continued with increased minutes on the field as the season progressed. An added bonus of being involved in Cardiff’s F.A.Cup triumphs provided the opportunity of big match experience with substitute appearances in both the Wembley semi-final and Final. His assured displays only increased Premier club interest and the move to Arsenal at season’s end came as no surprise. Arsene Wenger’s willingness to give young players a chance to compete at Premier level if it is deserved, will be an interesting situation to watch. John Toshack resisted the temptation to introduce him to senior international football, although he was included in the end of season squad. Most likely he will continue to be an important part of the U-21 team in the near term, but as with Wenger, Toshack will not hesitate to accelerate the process when pertinent.

 

5)     Chris Gunther (Tottenham Hotspur)

 Defender

  DoB –  21-07-1989

        Another careful approach in the development of a young player by Cardiff City was thrown by the wayside as a result of a couple of impressive senior international appearances by Chris in the autumn. A few more first team games with Cardiff, lead to a swift move in the January transfer window by Spurs. Although he was limited to only a couple of appearances for the remainder of the season, it was not as a result of any disappointment at White Hart Lane. A considerable influx of other defensive talent in that same transfer period reduced his chances as the new management team significantly increased their squad strength. John Toshack has already stated his desire to see all of his available players be exposed to as much first team football as possible and I am sure that Spurs will have similar sentiments. It would not be a surprise to see them allow Chris to spend some time out on loan if they suspect his involvement in matchday squads would be limited.

 

6)     David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

 Midfield

  DoB –  03-02-1986

        David’s decision to end his association with Shrewsbury proved to be a personal wise move. Joining Luton Town meant a step up to League One and he certainly met the challenge successfully. Luton’s financial difficulties left them unable to resist any reasonable offers for their players and Wolves stepped in to take Edwards in the January transfer window. They must feel that they got somewhat of a bargain as David continued with impressive performances at Championship level. Not only will he feel satisfied with his steps forward at club level, 5 senior international caps were also amassed during the season. Except for the occasions when he could be selected to strengthen the U-21 team, it is now fair for him to assume that he is firmly in John Toshack’s senior squad plans.

 

7)     Chedwyn Evans (Manchester City)

  Forward

   DoB -  28-12-1988

        The large number of expensive recruits purchased by Manchester City prior to the 2007-2008 season left many people wandering how this would affect Ched’s future. He had already done enough previously to suggest he would possibly be given some first team consideration, but this made it a great deal harder. A League cup appearance and good showings for the U-21’s brought about an autumn loan move to Norwich. There he quickly showed he could compete successfully in the Championship, scoring some eye catching goals with regular frequency. A return to Man. City during January did not develop further and so an eventual return to Norwich for the remainder of the season was negotiated. Although not quite replicating the high standard of his first spell there, he did enough, along with some strong U-21 form, to warrant inclusion in the senior international end of season squad and was rewarded with two of substitute appearances.

 

8)     David Cotterill (Wigan Athletic)

 Forward

  DoB -  4-12-1987

        A second season in the Premier league with Wigan gave some promise he might be able to make a bigger impact at the club. Unfortunately a disastrous start to the season by the team made it a necessity to rely on muscle to claw their way out of the relegation places. This, along with a change in management, left a situation where the somewhat lightweight Cotterill found chances to impress quite rare. An eventual loan move to Sheffield United gave him an opportunity for Championship first team football. He certainly made the most of his chance, making a strong enough impression for talk of a permanent move to the steel city being a popular off season topic. Some very good U-21 form and a return to the senior squad were other strong points.

 

9)     Lewin Nyatanga (Derby County)

 Defender

  DoB –  18-08-1988

        Lewin could not impress his manager enough to be given a first team place as Derby found life in the Premiership extremely difficult. A loan move to Barnsley was at least an option for first team football. A brief return to Derby coinciding with a manager change lasted only a short period and Barnsley renewed the loan arrangement. As Derby readjust to Championship football, it looks as though he will stay with them and he has coped comfortably at this level in the past. Although his career has maybe not progressed at a rate once anticipated, he still has plenty of time on his side and the last season or so will maybe prove to be only a slight blip in the trend. He has generally performed adequately in the senior Welsh side and hopefully he can continue to provide a strong defensive option for John Toshack.

 

10)   Neil Eardley (Oldham Athletic)        

  Defender

   DoB –  06-11-1988

        It is slightly surprising that Neal is still at Oldham considering his name has fairly frequently been linked with a number of clubs seemingly pursuing him as a transfer target. This past season he made his debut in the Welsh senior team and although he maybe found the step up from League One football quite a daunting task, it was a great help in his football education. A late season move at his club side from the wing back position into more of a midfield role could be a pointer of what the future has in store. If this proves to be the case, a little more time honing his skills at League One level may prove to be very beneficial.

 

11)   Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

  Forward

   DoB -  21-10-1989

        Sam is another who certainly enhanced his reputation last season and Wolves were quick to add him to what is a large Welsh contingent at Molineux. He joins a team that already has a significant front line talent pool, so will have to beat some stiff competition to secure a place in the first team. His track record so far at Bournemouth and with the U-21’s suggests he has ability to perform well at this new challenge. The experience will be an added bonus in order to cope with some likely tough challenges in his U-21 career. Although he was another given a little taste of senior international football at the end of the season, his immediate future will almost certainly be with the U-21’s.

 

12)   Jack Collison (West Ham United)

  Midfield

   DoB -  2-10-1988

        A very good addition into the Welsh fold, he certainly produced some classy displays for the Welsh U-21’s and put himself firmly into the senior team future plans. Jack captained the West Ham reserve team last season and made a couple of appearances for the first team. I am sure he will be determined to play a much bigger role in the first team squad this coming season and add to his growing reputation at Upton Park. Although he will most likely be considered an integral part of the U-21 team in the short term, a regular inclusion in the senior squads will seemingly come about at the earliest opportunity.

 

13)   Craig Davies (Oldham Athletic)

  Striker

   DoB –  09-01-1986

Craig’s decision to join Oldham proved to be very good step in his career resume. He demonstrated an ability, a good bit more than adequate at League One level, creating discussion about clubs with some possible transfer interest. An injury during the second half of the season proved to be a little setback and almost certainly he will be staying at Boundary Park for the present. An end to his lengthy international suspension should see him involved in the squads in the coming months.

 

14)   Nicky Adams (Liecester City)

  Midfield

   DoB – 16-10-1986

        A decision sign for Liecester rather than renew his contract with Bury will see Nicky make a step up to League One level. Having made steady progress over the past couple of seasons, the Bury management will I am sure be disappointed that he did not remain an integral part of their future plans. Moving on to establish a career at a higher standard is a logical step and could provide further assistance to the Welsh U-21 squad as they meet the challenges ahead.

 

15)   Darcy Blake (Cardiff City)

  Defender

   DoB – 13-12-1988

        An increasing involvement with the Cardiff first team squad over the past season and a half has demonstrated a management confidence that Darcy can compete successfully in the Championship. He has appeared predominantly in a midfield role for them, although defence is possibly considered his strongest position. This is where Brian Flynn has used him in the U-21 team, where he has become a key member of the successful recent encounters.

 

        I have decided to end the list at this point. My general trend has been to only provide a list of ten in the recent past, but this time I believed it required extending beyond that number. It is always a difficult decision as to how to balance the attempt to allow credit for what has already been achieved without being over enthusiastic about what the future holds. I am sure that there will be some amount of differing opinion with my selections and rankings. I sincerely apologize to anyone who feels aggrieved about any omissions.

 With a little bit of luck, it does seem that we can look forward to some brighter times ahead for the Welsh international teams. At present there is a significantly larger than historical number of young Welsh players who are believed to have sufficient talent to regularly play in teams involved in top class football matches. Only time will tell if this belief does actually become a reality and help towards an improved Welsh world ranking.

For quite a number of years prior to the start of each new season, I have found it a pleasurable hobby to produce these articles. This one posed somewhat of a difference, as can maybe be judged by some of my guarded comments, I felt challenged to temper myself against over optimism. The progress achieved by some of these young men over the past twelve months or so, has most likely been refreshing news for a great many Wales supporters. I am certainly hoping that this trend will be continued.

        Rather than run the risk of being repetitive, the length of this article has reached a point for me to bring it too a close. I will do so by wishing all the very best to the management, players and followers of Welsh football. I am sure that those of us unable to be present at Welsh international matches will be closely monitoring the Dragon Soccer web site for updates and of course news in general. A weekly view at the Young Guns news articles provides a good insight into the progress of young Welsh players who may well appear on future lists I hope to compose.