Football
fans always look forward to a new season with great
anticipation of a successful campaign for their favourite
teams, be it club or country. Most likely, Wales fans
will regard 2005-2006 as a prelude to what they hope
will be even better successive seasons. However, it
can still be extremely important, as John Toshack and
his staff continue with plans for their tenure, intending
it to be the greatest period in Welsh international
history.
Having followed the fortunes of the
Wales international teams at all levels for a number
of decades, I have no doubt that it will take some luck
along with talent and considerable coaching plus managerial
skills to put the team amongst the elite of world football.
John Toshack has exhibited a great determination, as
well as confidence of achieving the goal, this, without
doubt, being a good starting point. In relative terms,
Wales has consistently produced an above average number
of international class players, proportional to the
total number available. Injuries to key players at inopportune
times (part of the luck element) has definitely undermined
chances for success occasionally. Herein lies a part
of the puzzle John Toshack will need to solve. His recruitment
of Brian Flynn to oversee the development of youth through
under 21 levels is most certainly a positive.
Flynn
has a proven track record of successfully nurturing
young talent. It may well be that he has to exhibit
some psychological as well as football skills to significantly
alter past trends. In the progression from schoolboy
stars to senior international honors, only a very small
percentage of footballers are able to stay the course.
The strength in depth of all the Wales international
teams is directly affected by this and if somehow more
of the particularly talented youngsters can be influenced
into developing their full potential, it could improve
a Welsh team’s ability to overcome adversity.
Enough
of the preamble, thus moving to the task at hand. Both
circumstance and philosophy have John Toshack needing
to rely a great deal on a higher number of young players
than past managers. The list below provides an opinion
about some of the young players who will help determine
the future of the team in the seasons ahead.
1)
James Collins ( West Ham United )
Defender
DOB – 23-08-1983
Although he had a few
early season struggles for both club and country
in 2004, James quickly re-established himself as the
central defensive player Wales fans envisioned after
his impressive displays in the latter half of the previous
season. Along with Danny Gabbidon, he can potentially
form a partnership that will be the envy of most countries.
A strong central defence is what every international
manager strives for in their pursuit of success. Without
doubt James deserves his status at the head of this
list. Wales fans will hopefuuly have the pleasure of
seeing him develop his talents to greater levels, continuing
to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for many
years to come. His recent move to West Ham should enhance
his development.
2) David Vaughan ( Crewe
Alexandra )
Midfield
DOB – 18-02-1983
David completed another
very successful personal season, being an important
reason in helping his club avoid relegation. Although
a little small in stature, he uses his considerable
talents and strong determination as a driving force
in midfield, as well as being capable of being a more
than adequate wing back if required to do so. David
has already gained 2 full caps, but most likely his
experience will be relied upon at U-21 level this coming
season. He will be instrumental in providing a competitve
edge to the team as younger players continue to find
their feet at that level. In future there is little
doubt that he will find himself heavily involved with
the senior side.
3) Richard Duffy ( Portsmouth
- on loan Coventry)
Defender
DOB – 30-08-1985
Last season Richard
spent 2 successful loan periods at Burnley and then
Coventry. Recently Portsmouth agreed a season long loan
move to Coventry for the coming season. Obviously this
is an endorsment of his previuos time at Coventry. Although
to a small degree it is a sign that he may not be quite
ready to perform at Premiership level, the experience
he will gain in the Championship can only be beneficial
to all concerned including the Wales teams. It has to
be remembered that Richard not only is a young player,
but his potential was quickly noticed by Portsmouth,
amongst others, having only played a half season at
League Two level. Time is certainly on his side, and
a step up from the under 21’s to the senior Wales side
is almost certainly in his future.
4) Joe
Ledley ( Cardiff City )
Midfield
DOB – 23-01-1987
There is little doubt
that Joe’s dramatic emergence last season gave many
a Wales fan some added hope for the future. Coinciding
with John Toshack’s assertion about thrusting young
players into the senior side as soon as was possible,
it gave credence to the belief that maybe better times
lay ahead. Joe was praised a number of times last season
for impressive displays in a Cardiff team that on the
whole under achieved. An injury brought it to a premature
end. The late season and summer upheavels at Ninian
Park will have new manager Dave Jones hoping that Joe
can carry on where he left off. With a number of veteran
midfield players now unavailable for Toshack, he will
be another manager showing a keen interest in his progress.
5) Peter Gilbert
( Leicester City )
Defender
DOB – 31-07-1983
Having helped Plymouth
gain promotion as a loan player in 2003-2004, Peter
joined them permanently to play a part in consolidating
their Championship status. His qualification for Wales
through the parentage rule saw him immediately included
in the under 21 team. The coming season would seem to
be an important one for him, as he will want to impress
at both club and international level, giving him the
possibility of becoming part of the senior squad. Recently
transferred to Leicester.
6) Craig Davies
( Oxford United )
Striker
DOB – 09-01-1986
After an impressive
schoolboy career promting Manchester City to sign him
as a youth player, Craig seemed to fall by the wayside
after only one season. He ended up at Oxford where he
showed promise as a youth player. Last season he was
given the opportunity to challenge for a place in the
first team which already contained two highly regarded
strikers at League Two level. Craig did not let the
chance pass him by, as he managed his fair share of
playing time, scoring some very good goals. In addition
he earned a place in the Wales under 21 side, also catching
the attention of many people in that role. He is another
who will be closely watched in the coming season, a
number of bigger clubs having already noticed his potential.
7) Arron Davies
( Yeovil Town )
Midfield/Striker
DOB – 22-06-1984
Arron did almost everything
that could be expected of him during his time at Southampton,
being considered one of the stars of the youth and reserve
sides. Although he was on the fringe of the first team,
he couldn’t seem to quite make the breakthrough. Last
season he was allowed to leave and joined Yeovil, where
he quickly made his mark in an already good team. A
midfield player with an eye for goal, regular first
team football is an important step in Arron’s development.
He will soon get a taste of League One level football,
but more than likely in the years ahead will be playing
at even higher levels.
8) Craig Morgan
( M K Dons )
Defender
DOB – 18-06-1985
Having failed to agree
terms on a new contract with Wrexham, Craig recently
signed with the Dons. A central defender, of whom much
was expected after a strong schoolboy and youth career,
Craig did become a fairly regular member of the Wrexham
first team last season. Injuries and some incosistency
have however produced somewhat of a stuttering progress
over the last 2 seasons. Although time is still very
much on his side, he will need to stamp more of his
authority on matches if he is to reach the level of
play predicted for him.
9) Lewis Price (
Ipswich Town )
Goalkeeper
DOB – 19-07-1984
With all of the recognised
senior team goalkeepers either approaching or very much
at the veteran stage of their careers, Wales will be
looking for successors very soon. Lewis seems the most
prominent of the candidates at the moment. Having already
played a few times for Ipswich, along with a couple
of successful loan periods, it looks as though Joe Royle
has the confidence to hand him the first team jersey,
now that Kelvin Davis is no longer at Portman Road.
This seems to be a good endorsment of his ability and
first team football will be a big benefit for Wales.
10) David Pipe,
Jamie Tolley, Adam Birchall, Lee Beevers and Mark Jones
are all viable candidates to fill this spot. No doubt
they will all be involved in Brian Flynn’s under 21
squads this coming season, their last of eligibility.
Involvment in the senior squad in the future will most
likely require them to be performing at least at Championship
level, and all have occasionally shown the potential
to be able to do so.
Matthew Collins, David
Edwards, Stuart Fleetwood, Ramon Calliste, Daniel Parslow
and Dan Martin are all young players vying for regular
first team places at their clubs. They will also be
under some consideration for inclusion by Brian Flynn.
Two
players notable by their ommision from mention thus
far, are David Jones and David Cotterill. Both fall
into the category of being dual qualified and have been
reluctant to make a commitment to Wales up to this point.
They have shown the ability to be potentially key members
of Welsh international teams if they indicate their
availability.
This article is only my personal
opinion and I am sure is open to a question of judgement
by some readers. It is based on partial knowledge of
past performances and is at best considered only an
educated guess. Without question some of the most up
to date information about the fortunes of young Welsh
players is provided by the weekly Young Guns articles
by Owain Sion Jones, a feature on Dragon Soccer I enjoy
immensely.
Having already mentioned my obsession
of following Welsh international players for a long
time, I will finish this by hazarding a prediction of
some possibility of brighter times for Welsh international
teams. I base this on my belief that there is quite
a strong contingent of youth players at present, along
with what seems to be a commitment to provide a system
for their development, intending to eventually develop
a deeper pool of talent available for senior squad selection.
I refrain from making any specific mention of these
players, my hopeful comments having been erroneous many
times in the past. All I can do is wish each one of
them the very best of luck for the road ahead and urge
any of them that may read this, to listen intently to
all the good advice available. International football
is a stage for the elite of performers. First team international
players are those who not only have fine natural talent,
but have also through hard work, committed to further
refine it to be the best of the best. Looking forward
to an enjoyable and productive season of Welsh international
football. Best wishes and good luck to all concerned.
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