5 minute read
Mark Pitman
The controversial decision by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to entrust their FA Cup run with the U23 squad has promoted young Neco Williams to national attention. Born in Wrexham, the talented defender will be hopeful of earning his first full international cap for Wales before his birthday. A key member of the Wales U19 squad, Williams was pivotal in the team qualifying for the UEFA Elite Round of fixtures, but he is more likely to find himself working under Giggs as the senior side take on Austria and the US as preparations for EURO 2020 continue. But his recent performances for Liverpool, both domestically and in the UEFA Youth League, have brought him to the attention of England, and reports suggest that manager Gareth Southgate is planning to make Williams part of his future plans. In the past, such a suggestion would be a major concern for Wales, but there is no longer any reason to fear the advances of England when it comes to the future of our young stars. Williams was raised in Wrexham, and has a passion for representing Wales. Working under Paul Bodin, Rob Edwards and Rob Page in the intermediate squads, Williams has been nurtured through the Welsh football pathway, and there is no doubt that he will be an important player for Wales over the course of the next decade at least. A similar situation occurred in 2017 when David Brooks was called into the Wales squad for the Toulon Tournament. However, Brooks withdrew from the squad, and minutes later it was confirmed that he would represent England in the competition instead. It was a tough decision for Wales U21 manager at the time Rob Page to accept, but rather than enter into a public spat, Brooks was told that he would be welcomed back to the Welsh fold if that was his preferred choice. Brooks was named player of the tournament for England, but on his return, committed his international future to Wales. An exciting, attacking talent, Page became aware of Brooks and his eligibility for Wales as he was coming through the youth ranks of Sheffield United. Then manager of Wales, Coleman and Page went to Sheffield to meet with the young star, and outlined their long-term plan for him in the Wales team. Although he was only starting to make an impression at Sheffield United, Coleman and Page were keen to invest in him and ensure he understood what his role would be with Wales in the coming years, based on his potential and his progression. How England reacted to Brooks decision to return to Wales after the Toulon Tournament would be interesting to know, and it is unlikely to have been as understanding as Wales reacted to his initial decision to withdraw from the squad. Although Williams’ opportunities at Liverpool are likely to be limited as he finds himself in direct competition with Trent Alexander-Arnold for the rightback position, he has shown enough maturity to suggest he his ready for a loan move, and that would further enhance his chances of making Ryan Giggs’ EURO 2020 squad. He is versatile enough to also play on left, and he could even force a shift at Anfield by pushing Alexander-Arnold into a more attacking position with Williams slotting in behind. It would mirror the move that changed the direction of Gareth Bale’s career at Tottenham Hotspur, and there is no doubt that AlexanderArnold has the attacking and creative ability to establish himself in a more forward role in Klopp’s team. Including Williams in the EURO 2020 squad would be a bold decision by Giggs, but he has shown throughout his tenure with Wales that he has no concern in giving young players their chance in his side. He will be more than aware of the potential that Williams has, and he will be keen to test him in the upcoming friendlies as he looks to confirm the final names for his squad. England lost a talented youngster to Wales in Brooks, but Williams appears set to take his first steps with Wales at senior level, and the carrot of a place at EURO 2020 could be the deciding factor if his mind is currently in any sort of doubt.
JANUARY FAIR PLAY TABLE
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Teams Sending Off Cautions Points Carmarthen Tn 35 1 156 The New Saints 42 0 168 Bala Town 38 1 170 Caernarfon Town 39 2 176 Cardiff Met Uni. 38 1 176 Newtown AFC 41 1 176 Aberystwyth Town 45 0 184 Barry Town United 40 3 194 Penybont 49 1 234 Connah's Quay 51 2 236 Airbus UK 43 5 242 Cefn Druids 45 4 246 Totals 506 21 2,358
RESERVES & COLTS LEAGUE TABLE
- ,-L,-' "' ,LD,L( L7+ L + !E
& LLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLL LLLLLLL LLLLL ("'-, 1. Connah's Quay 17 15 0 2 72 18 45 2. Airbus UK 18 13 1 4 73 25 40 3. Cefn Mawr Rangers 16 10 2 4 38 33 32 4. Rhydymwyn 13 8 2 3 43 23 26 5. Brymbo 15 7 4 4 46 35 25 6. Mynydd Isa 13 7 2 4 49 27 23 7. Saltney Town 15 7 2 6 44 36 23 8. Llay Welfare Colts 18 6 1 11 37 53 19 9. Cefn Albion 15 5 3 7 38 40 18 10. Bala Town * 17 5 5 7 34 39 17 11. Coedpoeth Utd 15 4 1 10 25 44 13 12. Ruthin Town * 17 5 1 11 34 54 13 13. Llangollen Town 16 3 2 11 17 53 11 14. Johnstown YFC * 15 1 2 12 15 85 -1
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