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Tag: Marley Watkins

Wales Watch: Tyler Roberts shines again for Leeds in midweek

Tyler Roberts scored the only goal in Leeds’ 1-0 win over Hull to take them to the top of the Championship. After not featuring for the majority of the opening fixtures, he is definitely adjusting to life in the Championship . A stunning right-footed strike from 25 yards into the bottom corner showed why he is keeping his place in the side. Roberts has netted 3 times and managed 1 assist in 5 games this season.

It was a sixth clean sheet of the season for Swansea on Tuesday night. Yet again, Joe Rodon was at the heart of defence and has become steadily accustomed to the gruelling demands of the Championship. Connor Roberts played in an advanced midfield role on the right for Swansea instead of at right-back, but couldn’t impact the scoreline. Lee Evans played the 90 mins for Wigan in the 0-0 draw and Daniel James was an unused sub for Swansea.

James Chester had a bad evening for Aston Villa and was sent off on 54 minutes for a last ditch tackle against Preston. Chris Maxwell and Andrew Hughes started together again for the away side in a game that finished 3-3 – Maxwell won the point for Preston by saving a penalty in the 96th minute!

There was Champions League action on Wednesday for Ben Davies as Spurs lost 2-4 against Barcelona at Wembley Stadium. Davies played 90 minutes at left-back in a defensive four, but couldn’t stop Lionel Messi thriving on the night.

Harry Wilson started for Derby in their 1-1 result against Norwich. Tom Lawrence and Louis Thompson came on in the second half for the home and away teams. Joe Ledley again missed the squad of 18.

Tom Bradshaw and Steve Morison were both introduced on 75 minutes to salvage a result for Millwall. The game with Nottingham Forest ended up finishing 2-2, but no goals or assists for either striker.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Chris Gunter and Chris Mepham played 90 mins for Reading and Brentford in two draws, respectively. Ashley Williams and Joe Allen played 90 mins in Stoke’s 2-0 win against Bolton and Christian Doidge made a 20 minute appearance for the away team towards the end of the match.

Gwion Edwards came on as a half-time substitute for Ipswich in their 0-2 loss against Middlesbrough and Marley Watkins was a second half introduction in Bristol City’s 0-0 draw with Rotherham.

In League One, Adam Matthews and George Thomas both got an assist each for their clubs. Barnsley’s Adam Davies and Ryan Hedges played 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Plymouth.

There are only five unbeaten teams left in the football league this season – Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Portsmouth and Forest Green Rovers. Liam Shephard captained FGR on Tuesday evening in their fourth win of the season over Cambridge. Seven times capped international, George Williams was an unused substitute.

Finally, a late mention for David Brooks – who missed the weekend update, but he scored a cracker against Wayne Hennessey on Monday night for Bournemouth.

Follow the blog on Twitter to receive all of the latest updates.

Read more:
• What needs to be done to end Cardiff’s winless campaign?
• Three Welsh players net their first club goals this season 
• Wales Watch: Harry Wilson shows his quality in the League Cup 
• Wales Watch: Ramsey and Wilson hit form 

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Three Welsh players net their first club goals this season

Cardiff-born Andrew Hughes is doing all that he can to capture the attention of Ryan Giggs. The Preston left-back scored his first goal for the club from a free kick after signing in the summer. With Paul Dummett currently injured and other left-backs Neil Taylor and Declan John not getting regular football, Hughes could be in contention for his first international call up next week. Chris Maxwell was in goal for Preston but couldn’t stop West Brom scoring three goals to win the game 3-2.

It was the perfect day for Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium as they beat QPR 3-0. Connor Roberts scored his first goal for the club, following his first career goal just three weeks ago for Wales. Joe Rodon kept his place at the back and could be another player to earn his first Wales senior call up. Daniel James was an unused substitute for the Swans.

Tyler Roberts maintained his good form with Leeds as they drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday. Roberts played the full match and bagged an assist for the stunning Leeds equaliser. Ash Baker played an hour for Sheff Weds at left back.

It was a first goal of the season for Sam Vokes, who headed in Burnley’s winner against Cardiff to win 2-1. Jazz Richards was an unused substitute for Cardiff in the same game.

Keiron Freeman is another player who will be looking to impress Ryan Giggs ahead of upcoming internationals, as he remains first-choice right-back for Sheffield United. He played 90 mins in a dramatic 3-2 away win against Millwall, where veteran Steve Morison captained the home side. Tom Bradshaw was an unused sub for Millwall and Ben Woodburn was not in the 18 for Sheff Utd.

Ashley Williams and Joe Allen started together in the Stoke team for the first time this month, but were unable to guide the team to their third league victory of the season. Stoke conceded two goals again and sit in 17th position after drawing 2-2 with 18th placed Rotherham.

Brentford’s Chris Mepham and Reading’s Chris Gunter played 90 minutes against each other on Saturday in a game that finished 2-2 at Griffin Park. Meanwhile, Derby’s Harry Wilson couldn’t quite match the excellent level he displayed at Old Trafford in midweek against Man Utd. Derby lost against Bolton 1-0 away from home and Tom Lawrence made his first appearance for The Rams after returning from suspension. Christian Doidge came on for the final 15 minutes for Bolton.

James Chester played his regular 90 minutes for Villa, but failed to keep a clean sheet again. The game finished 1-1 with Bristol City and Marley Watkins appeared for a few minutes to see out the match.

Lee Evans‘ Wigan lost 1-0 away from home against Norwich, where Louis Thompson made a second half appearance in midfield for the Canaries. Evans is a likely candidate to be called up next week because Andy King and Joe Ledley are not getting any first team football currently.

Aaron Ramsey will have been massively disappointed to be taken off after an hour for Arsenal. The breakdown in contract negotiations became public news this week and will have no doubt influenced Emery’s decision in the game to bring Ramsey off early. Ramsey is rumoured to move to Serie A, either in January for a fee or next summer when his contract finishes.

It was a slight worry to see Gareth Bale brought off at half time in the Madrid derby for what was thought to be a minor muscular injury. Here’s hoping he is fit for the matches against Spain and Rep. of Ireland in a couple of weeks.

In League One, Adam Matthews came on very early in the first half for Sunderland as they drew 1-1 with Coventry. Adam Davies remains as Barnsley no.1 and played 90 mins in their 3-1 win against Fleetwood. Tom Lockyer came off injured after 38 minutes for Bristol Rovers.

Alex Babos made his first appearance for Spanish Segunda side Real Union on Sunday evening, coming on in the 76th minute. 18-year-old Matt Smith played in central midfield in FC Twente’s 2-1 comeback win.

Follow the blog on Twitter to receive all of the latest updates.

Read more:
• Wales Watch: Harry Wilson shows his quality in the League Cup
• Wales Watch: Ramsey and Wilson hit form 
• Tyler Roberts was the star player of the midweek games 
• Club football restarts: Welsh player updates 

Club football restarts: Welsh player updates

Marley Watkins scored for the second time in as many games on Saturday. After coming on as a substitute in the 62nd minute, he went on to score the winning goal in Bristol City’s 1-0 win against Sheffield United. Ben Woodburn was an unused sub in the same match.

David Brooks continued his good form for Bournemouth in their 4-2 win over Leicester City on Saturday, and his performance earned him high praise from the home fans. He left the pitch just after an hour when Bournemouth were 3-0 ahead.

No goal for Gareth Bale this weekend for the first time in 8 La Liga games, however he did manage to whip in an excellent ball for Isco to finish.

Cardiff took a 4-1 loss against Chelsea on the weekend and Jazz Richards made his first Premier League appearance of the season, coming on for an injured Harry Arter at half time. Richards played predominantly in midfield, switching between playing centrally and out wide on the right, but couldn’t impact the game.

Wayne Hennessey got his second clean sheet of the season for Crystal Palace in a 1-0 win over Huddersfield. Other Welsh goalkeepers, Danny Ward and Chris Maxwell still can’t get league game time for their clubs. Adam Davies remains in goal for Barnsley, who lost 1-0 against Coventry.

Aaron Ramsey made headlines this weekend, but not for anything performance based in Arsenal’s 2-1 win. Arsenal manager, Unai Emery criticised the Welsh team for playing Ramsey for 90 minutes in both Nations League games. Paul Dummett played the full match for Newcastle in the same fixture.

Christian Doidge made his Championship debut for Bolton on Saturday and was handed the no.9 shirt. He didn’t impact the scoreline in his first 90 minutes following a deadline day move from League Two club, Forest Green Rovers. Tyler Roberts also made his Championship debut on Saturday for Leeds after winning his first two senior Welsh caps for the national team last week. Leeds drew 1-1 against a Millwall side that included Tom Bradshaw, who came on after 70 minutes to replace Steve Morison.

Welsh Championship defenders are now of huge popularity and competency. Chris Mepham has been the outstanding performer so far and kept another clean sheet for Brentford in their 2-0 win, taking them to second place. Villa pairing, James Chester and Neil Taylor played 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Blackburn. Ashley Williams remains on the bench for Stoke.

Swansea had three Welsh players in their back four that kept a clean sheet against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Connor Roberts and Joe Rodon were the two regular names and Declan John made his first league start for the club, after moving from Rangers in the summer.

Matt Smith kept his place in the FC Twente team in a 2-0 win, following his first Welsh senior cap on Thursday last week.

And finally, it was a really bad day at the office for the Welsh contingent at Derby. Tom Lawrence was sent off in the second half, Joe Ledley was an unused sub and Harry Wilson didn’t make the match day 18.

Follow the blog on Twitter to receive all of the latest updates.

Read more:
• Denmark 2-0 Wales: Video analysis
• Wales 4-1 Rep. of Ireland: Video analysis of the four Welsh goals 
• Are we witnessing the birth of another ‘golden generation’? 
• James Chester: “I think this is a time that’s only going to be exciting” 

Final Welsh player roundup before the first set of Nations League matches

Wales fans will be delighted to know that Gareth Bale goes into the matches against Rep. of Ireland and Denmark in perfect form. For the seventh La Liga game in a row, Bale managed to hit the back of the net for Real Madrid with a superb strike.

Continue reading “Final Welsh player roundup before the first set of Nations League matches”

All of the summer transfer moves for Welsh players

Here is a comprehensive list of all of the notable moves for Welsh players in the 2018 summer transfer window. Bold players are those who have won senior caps for Wales.

Continue reading “All of the summer transfer moves for Welsh players”