Big season ahead for the four Welsh clubs
With 4 Welsh teams in the football league for the first time since 2008, there’s plenty of excitement as games return this weekend. All four of the Welsh teams, Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham will hope to press on and see what they can do this season, it proves to be a fascinating one, with big name signings, massive international appeal and pride on the line, there’s plenty to play for.
Transcript
00:00 Last year was definitely one to forget for the Bluebirds. Spending virtually all season
00:05 in and around the relegation zone, something was clearly amiss at the Cardiff City Stadium.
00:10 Going through three different managers and being on the losing end of a South Wales derby
00:14 double, something has got to change for the capital side this season.
00:18 And what more can the club do than bring in Welsh captain and Cardiff City hometown legend
00:22 Aaron Ramsey. The former Arsenal and Juventus player is possibly the biggest signing not
00:26 just for Cardiff or any of the Welsh sides, but for the football league as a whole. His
00:31 midfield presence will surely uplift the side immeasurably, but as always, question marks
00:35 over his injury history will definitely follow him in the championship.
00:39 For many Cardiff fans, they'll be holding their breath any time Rambo goes in for a
00:43 challenge. If he stays healthy and other new signings make an impact, there's no reason
00:47 the side can't push on and with a little bit of luck and a few good runs, the possibility
00:51 of play-offs is never off the table in the championship.
00:55 Swansea will certainly be looking at the play-offs this year. With a strong finish last season,
01:00 they'll definitely be looking up, not down this season. Head coach Michael Duff is the
01:04 fourth manager in five years, with all of his predecessors being picked up by Premier
01:08 League sides at the end of their respective seasons. Swansea has always had success at
01:12 the helm and the new man in charge will look to stamp his authority over the side with
01:17 some natural goal scorers in their ranks.
01:20 Though last year's top scorer Joel Pirro's future is certainly in doubt, there's a number
01:23 of clubs in the championship and Premier League eye up a move for the Dutchman. Keeping hold
01:28 of him would be a major bonus for the season, but as they say, money talks and who knows
01:33 where he'll be.
01:34 Of course, Wrexham have been the big story in Welsh football for the last 12 months,
01:38 with their Hollywood takeover and this season will be massive for the North Wales side.
01:43 Will they replicate their stellar form from the National League or will the step up prove
01:47 a bit too much? Most of this is totally unknown, but fans will certainly be hoping they can
01:52 press on and establish themselves in the league. Star striker Paul Mullin, who scored an astonishing
01:58 47 goals in all competitions last year, will miss the start of next campaign after being
02:02 injured in pre-season, but there's hope his stay on the sidelines won't be too long.
02:07 Newport County, although being veterans in the Football League now after years in the
02:10 division, are something of the forgotten side in Welsh football, but after a tumultuous
02:15 year going through three different managers, they managed to steady themselves and finish
02:19 a respectable 15th in the lower mid-table. They'll certainly be hoping for more this
02:23 year and seeing another Welsh side in the division will spur them on to see what they
02:27 can also achieve. The first ever derby between the sides in League 2 will be a huge game,
02:32 as the game will probably be broadcast across the world. Whoever thought we'd be saying
02:36 that a few years ago?
02:38 For the county, fans might be looking for more cup magic, as the side have earned a
02:41 reputation as giant killers over the last few years, beating Leicester, earning a replay
02:45 at Wembley against Spurs and taking Newcastle and Brighton to penalties in the last few
02:50 years alone. There are plenty of unknowns, but there's always some magic with the county.
02:55 This season in Welsh football is going to be huge. Plenty of derbies, plenty of action
02:59 and plenty of drama surely to come. Bring it on. James Beach Watkins, Local TV.
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