Welsh football players. - Young guns - News and views

Welsh Football Young Guns update news - by Owain Jones.

Young guns news - Friday 30-Nov-07

Craig Davies (Oldham - striker) Took his tally of goals to 9 for the season as the Latics drew 1-1 with Port Vale last Saturday. But manager John Sheridan is worried now that his side is becoming to reliant on the Wales international.

Ched Evans (Man City/Norwich - striker) Has got the move which could give him the opportunity to prove that he could be the next one to make the step up to senior squad. After an impressive performance against the French at Ninian Park, he will now stay at Carrow Road until January. It seems the deal was done before the U21 international and was not a case of a good performance and then being noticed.

Sean Evans (Man Utd - defender/midfielder) Was a scorer as the second string ran rampant against Bury in the Manchester Senior Cup this week. The Wales qualified player notched his sides first with a neat finish after 8 minutes as they ran out 5-0 winners.

Lewis Haldane (Bristol Rovers - striker) Scored as Rovers beat struggling Millwall 2-1 last weekend. The former Wales U21 striker struck with a bullet header to clinch all three points for Paul Trollope's squad.

Chris Jones (Swansea - striker) Scored as the Swans won the derby battle against the Bluebirds in midweek. Jones bagged the first as the second string won 3-0.

Andy King (Leicester - midfielder) Returned to action after injury against Hinckley Utd this week. After being forced out of the U21 internationals, the midfielder played 90 minutes as his side lost 3-1.

Daniel Knight (Oldham - defender) Was once again at centre half as the reserves took on Man City this weekend. His side slipped to a narrow defeat as City ran out 2-1 winners, with Oldham bringing on U19 international KC Owen (Oldham - striker) in the second half.

Young guns news - Sunday 18-Nov-07

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Played his third game in a row for Chalrton as they beat Cardiff 3-0 last weekend. The tough tackling left back must now convince Alan Pardew that he can stay in that position once regulars like Ben Thatcher return from injury.

Craig Davies (Oldham - striker) Scored again as the Latics drew 2-2 in the FA Cup against Doncaster. The Wales international is still serving a suspension picked up playing for the U21 team and will possibly be in line for a recall as soon as that has finished.

James Evans (Chester - striker) Who was overlooked for Wales's Victory Shield squad scored a hatrick against Wrexham last sunday. The Wrexham back four included Leon Clewes & Max Penk who struggled to contain Evans.

Lloyd James (Southampton - midfielder) Played 90 minutes as the Saints thumped Millwall 5-1 on Tuesday night. He then joined up with his U21 team mates for the double header with Bosnia and France.

Daniel Knight (Oldham - defender) Played centre half for the reserves last week as the U19 international looks to push on in his senior career. This will give him vaulable experience at this level.

Josh Knight (WBA - striker) Made his first reserve team start this week as the reserves took on Huddersfield. The former Wales U16 striker played 77 minutes before being replaced, the game ended in a 0-0 draw with Knight impressing reserve boss Craig Shakespeare.

Ashton Taylor (Tranmere - defender) Once again played the full 90 minutes as the Tranmere reserves beat Morecombe 2-0 on Wednesday night. With fellow reserve team player Michael Johnston (Tranmere/Bangor - defender) enjoying a period away in the League of Wales, we ahve seen the emergance of Taylor with the second string.

James Wilson (Bristol City - defender) Is hoping to only be out for 6 weeks after suffering a knee injury in the reserve team encounter against Cirencester. After surgery on Tuesday it seems that there wasn't any damage in the knee and will hope to return soon.

Young guns news - Sunday 11-Nov-07

Nicky Adams (Bury - striker) May consider himself unlucky not to be in the U21 squad for the double header against Bosnia and France after grabbing a brace in his sides 3-0 win against Barnet. The striker had a hand in his sides first goal and then finished the game with two as Bury cruised to victory. With this kind of form he will start to alert other clubs as he is out of contract at the end of the season.

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Played another 90 minutes for Charlton on Saturday as they beat Southampton 1-0. He also started a third successive match for the Addicks as they notched up an important win against high flying Bristol City on Tuesday night. It has been an excellent few months for the young left back as he first had a fine loan spell at Brentford, before making the most of the injury crisis at the club to seal a spot in the senior staring XI. It is therefore a slight surprise that he has not made the U21 squad for the internationals against Bosnia and France, with the manager seeming to rate Joe Jacobsen (Bristol Rovers - defender) and Neil Taylor (Wrexham - defender) higher.

Jack Collinson (West Ham - midfielder) Celebrated his Wales U21 call up by captaining the reserves against Arsenal on Tuesday night. The midfielder led by example all evening and gets a fine write up on the official website. He could well be a very useful find by manager Brian Flynn.

Stephen Davey (Shrewsbury - midfielder) Was in the middle of the action as the youth team reached the next round of the FA Youth Cup. The Wales U17 international bagged his sides decisive penalty as they dumped Bromsgrove out on spot kicks.

Craig Davies (Oldham - striker) Smashed in a 96th minute winner for the Latics away at Tranmere on Wednesday night with the ear bashing from manager John Sheridan still ringing in his ears. The Wales international had been a hand full all night without actually getting a goal, and will now hope to go on a scoring run.

Ched Evans (Man City - striker) Dubbed Mr Reliable was on the mark once again as the reserves beat Blackburn 3-2 this week. The Wales U21 hit man scored his customary goal as he crashed one in from the underside of the crossbar. The Blackburn squad contained Rostyn Griffiths (Blackburn - midfielder) who made an appearance off the bench after 77 minutes. “The strike force of Grimes and Evans is causing teams havoc at the moment. They’ve got an understanding, obviously built up during their time together at youth level, and at the moment they look a formidable partnership.” Ian Miller, temporary reserve team coach

Sean Evans (Man Utd - defender/midfielder) Won the battle of the defenders as the Red Devils beat Middlesborough 2-1 on Tuesday night. The Wales qualified starlet was up against a Boro side containing Rhys Williams (Middlesborough - defender) who was once again deployed in midfield.

Stuart Fleetwood (Forest Green Rovers - striker) Is being trailed by Bristol Rovers as his stock continues to rise. It seems the former Wales U21 international has turned things around after being released by firstly Cardiff City and then Hereford Utd. Rovers manager Paul Trollope confirmed that he has been keeping an eye on the striker, who so far has netted 17 times in 18 games. "Stuart is one that obviously interests us, but that's all it is and we haven't spoken to Forest Green Rovers yet." Paul Trollope, Bristol Rovers manager

Jordan Follows (Llanelli - striker) Has seen his chances of a move to Swansea City dented by an injury. The youngster has suffered knee ligament damage and is looking at around 6-8 weeks on the sidelines.

Josh Knight (WBA - striker) Made the bench on Wednesday night, but failed to get off the bench as the reserves took on Sheffield Utd. The former Wales U16 international will now hope to make the step up to second string level before the end of the season.

Aynsley MacDonald (Rushden and Diamonds - defender) Is back to full fitness after missing two Victory Shield games for the U16's. He made a return in the AF Youth Cup this week as the Diamonds out shone Grays Athletic 6-1.

Gary Preen (Southampton - striker) Came off the bench to earn his side a point in a pulsating 3-3 draw against Arsenal at the weekend. The Wales U16 international cut in the from the right to strike with 8 minutes left on the clock.

Young guns news - Saturday 3-Nov-07

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Made his first senior start at left back in the London derby against QPR last Saturday. It did not seem that the occasion overawed the 18 year old full back either, as he put in a commanding performance which was overshadowed slightly by the 1-0 defeat. It seems that Wales U21 manager Brian Flynn now has a wealth of talent at his disposal in the full back position. "He has been the only highlight of the day for us. He has been at the club since he was six and came from the club's community scheme so we're pleased with that." Alan Pardew, Charlton manager.

Mark Bradley (Walsall - midfielder) Retained his place and played the full 90 minutes as the Saddlers drew 1-1 with an improving Bournemouth at Dean Court. The Bournemouth squad contained Sam Vokes (Bournemouth - striker) who came on as a later replacement.

Simon Church (Reading/Crewe - striker) Scored his first goal for the club on Saturday as Crewe drew 2-2 with Cheltenham. The Wales U21 international calmly slotted home with 17 minutes left to notch up hopefully his first senior strike of many.

Ched Evans (Man City - striker) Struck twice as his golden run continued this week. The Wales U21 striker bagged a second half double as the second string put in their best performance of the season so far. Touch wood that he now stays fit for the U21's internationals with the group still in the balance.

Sean Evans (Man Utd - defender/midfielder) Got in amongst the goals as the Red Devils got into the Halloween spirit and gave Stockport a nightmare on Thursday night. The Wales qualified youngster struck in the second half as he lashed in from 15 yards out. The Utd second string ran out 6-1 winners.

Jordan Follows (Llanelli - striker) Is set to join Swansea City after being chased by the club for over four months. After being tracked by Blackburn and Man City, it seems that even Sven has lot out in his pursuit of Jordan, the player that is. He is now expected to join up with the Swans this week, injury permitting.

Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - striker) Proved a hit on Saturday as the Saints U18's beat Fulham 2-1. The young striker produced an unstoppable 30 yard screamer to bag his sides first goal. He was joined in the starting XI by Ian Jones (Southampton - defender) and later by Gary Preen (Southampton - striker) who was a second half sub.

Kerry Morgan (Swansea - striker) Proved he can hit the net for the reserves and in the League of Wales this week as he bagged one for the second string against Yeovil in midweek. The youngster has been a revelation on loan for Port Talbot this season and will now look to be a part of the Roberto Martinez revolution.

Daniel Knight (Oldham - defender) + KC Owen (Oldham - striker) Played their part as the Latics beat Wrexham in the first round of the FA Youth Cup this week. It was the Latics that ran out eventual winnerr but only after penalties which Wales U19 keeper Chris Maxwell (Wrexham - goalkeeper) had to face.

Ashton Taylor (Tranmere - defender) Played his part as the youth teams around Britain geared up for the first round of the FA Youth Cup. The Tranmere side were up against Grimsby and ran out 1-0 winners with Taylor playing the full 90 minutes.

Rhys Taylor (Chelsea - goalkeeper) Pulled off some fine saves to earn his side a point in the 0-0 draw against Portsmouth at the weekend. The Wales U21 second choice keeper has had a few games for the reserves this season and will be looking now to push Owain Fon Williams (Crewe - goalkeeper) for his country's number one jersey.

Rhys Williams (Middlesborough - defender) Showed his versatility and played in midfield as the Boro reserves took on Bradford this week. He played the full 90 minutes in central midfield as the second string cruised to a 4-1 win.

Young guns news - Saturday 3-Nov-07

Grant Basey (Charlton - defender) Was on the bench on Tuesday night as the Addicks were sunk by Plymouth. The Wales U19 international was on the bench as left back cover, after three of his colleagues were ruled out through injury. He then capped a memorable 24hrs with a goal from the spot as the reserves crashed 3-1 to Aldershot. After a fairly successful loan period at Brentford, the young defender will now look to push on and impress the manager.

Simon Church (Reading/Crewe - striker) Played the full 90 minutes on his debut as Crewe beat Luton 2-0 last weekend. The manager was full of praise for the Wales U21 international who will now hope to get his first senior goal to follow the strike for his country.

Neal Eardley (Oldham - defender) Has signed a contract extension under a week after his first start for Wales in San Marino. The Llandudno born youngster has started this season in the same rich vein of from he finished the last and has been rewarded with a contract until 2010.

Ched Evans (Man City - striker) Recovered from injury to keep up his fantastic goal scoring exploits for the reserves this week. The Wales U21 international scored one as his side thrashed Chester City 5-1 on Tuesday night. He will now look forward to the next round of the Carling Cup to see if he can get another senior side run out.

Jordan Follows (Llanelli - striker) Played for Blackburn on Tuesday night and scored as they drew 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday. It is rumoured that Follows could play for the Swansea U18 team on Saturday morning.

Kayne McLaggon (Southampton - striker) Scored his first goal of the season as the U18 team beat Norwich 5-2 at the weekend. The Wales U19 international played a neat one-two before slotting past the keeper. The U18 side were captained by Wales U19 international Ian Jones (Southampton - defender).