Wrexham

[winsumluzsum]

A really smart move by the owners would be to buy a Cymru Premier side like Bangor (not currently Cymru Premier but clearly a club of that pedigree) or Aberystwyth. The outlay needed to make the team full time and competitive with TNS would be modest (a million or so a year?). They would recoup most, if not all, of that by annual European qualification. The synergies between the two clubs would be obvious, with players going in both directions on loan or permanently. It's really hard to see how this could fail.

[allezlesrouges]

Jul 26, 2024 11:41:50 GMT winsumluzsum said:

A really smart move by the owners would be to buy a Cymru Premier side like Bangor (not currently Cymru Premier but clearly a club of that pedigree) or Aberystwyth. The outlay needed to make the team full time and competitive with TNS would be modest (a million or so a year?). They would recoup most, if not all, of that by annual European qualification. The synergies between the two clubs would be obvious, with players going in both directions on loan or permanently. It's really hard to see how this could fail.

I think it absolutely would work and the advantage of this to Welsh football could be huge. It would probably work best with a club based near Wrexham like Cefn Druids

However, I can't see it happening as it's not an exciting story to tell, and there's no pot of gold waiting at the end like there is for Wrexham (Premier League)

[gimli]

Jul 26, 2024 11:41:50 GMT winsumluzsum said:

A really smart move by the owners would be to buy a Cymru Premier side like Bangor (not currently Cymru Premier but clearly a club of that pedigree) or Aberystwyth. The outlay needed to make the team full time and competitive with TNS would be modest (a million or so a year?). They would recoup most, if not all, of that by annual European qualification. The synergies between the two clubs would be obvious, with players going in both directions on loan or permanently. It's really hard to see how this could fail.

I'd love to see this happen.

There's already some arrangement between Wrexham and Cefn Druids, with Wrexham Women playing at the Rock. It would make a lot of sense for R&R to buy the club and facilities so that they could own the women's ground themselves. Having Druids as a development team for their mens would be an added bonus. I'm sure there'd be some sort of marketing magic they could do too with Wrexham being the oldest Welsh club in the English pyramid and Druids being the oldest in the Welsh pyramid. Makes too much sense in my mind. I know the situation around Druids is a bit murky at the moment but I'm sure it could be made to work.

[iot]

Jul 26, 2024 13:28:37 GMT gimli said:

Jul 26, 2024 11:41:50 GMT winsumluzsum said:

A really smart move by the owners would be to buy a Cymru Premier side like Bangor (not currently Cymru Premier but clearly a club of that pedigree) or Aberystwyth. The outlay needed to make the team full time and competitive with TNS would be modest (a million or so a year?). They would recoup most, if not all, of that by annual European qualification. The synergies between the two clubs would be obvious, with players going in both directions on loan or permanently. It's really hard to see how this could fail.

I'd love to see this happen.

There's already some arrangement between Wrexham and Cefn Druids, with Wrexham Women playing at the Rock. It would make a lot of sense for R&R to buy the club and facilities so that they could own the women's ground themselves. Having Druids as a development team for their mens would be an added bonus. I'm sure there'd be some sort of marketing magic they could do too with Wrexham being the oldest Welsh club in the English pyramid and Druids being the oldest in the Welsh pyramid. Makes too much sense in my mind. I know the situation around Druids is a bit murky at the moment but I'm sure it could be made to work.

Aren't Druids a very poorly supported side though? There's a lot of history there, but they've always had very poor crowds. I can only see it working as an informal development side, not as some sort of ambition to dominate the Cymru Prem and raise the league's standards. It's one thing taking a small-ish town (now city) onto bigger things, and an entirely different ball game to do anything ambitious with a village side where there's going to be a very low ceiling. 

[winsumluzsum]

Yes, Cefn Druids are too small for this to work well. Bangor would be a good bet, as would Aberystwyth and perhaps Caernarfon. Bangor have the advantage of having a ground that is UEFA compliant.

Apart from anything else this should benefit Wrexham, by providing youngsters a first taste of senior football and the experience of playing in Europe. From a player development perspective what's not to like? From a financial perspective it really wouldn't take much to compete with TNS, and to gain European money with which to bankroll the club.

[erasedcitizen]

Jul 26, 2024 14:23:55 GMT winsumluzsum said:

Yes, Cefn Druids are too small for this to work well. Bangor would be a good bet, as would Aberystwyth and perhaps Caernarfon. Bangor have the advantage of having a ground that is UEFA compliant.

Apart from anything else this should benefit Wrexham, by providing youngsters a first taste of senior football and the experience of playing in Europe. From a player development perspective what's not to like? From a financial perspective it really wouldn't take much to compete with TNS, and to gain European money with which to bankroll the club.

I think Rhyl could work as well. That's an area is desperate need of a pick-me-up!

[paj]

Hell why focus on just the north. What about Carmarthen town. We’ve had lots of requests for tickets for the legia match so people think we’re Caernarfon anyway.

[winsumluzsum]

Jul 26, 2024 21:12:26 GMT paj said:

Hell why focus on just the north. What about Carmarthen town. We’ve had lots of requests for tickets for the legia match so people think we’re Caernarfon anyway.

How many tickets did you manage to sell 😀 ?

[paj]

Ha ha - it’s been very tempting 😁

[kracken88]

Judging by the results on this American tour thing Wrexham are looking pretty strong.

[garynysmon]

Jul 26, 2024 11:41:50 GMT winsumluzsum said:

A really smart move by the owners would be to buy a Cymru Premier side like Bangor (not currently Cymru Premier but clearly a club of that pedigree) or Aberystwyth. The outlay needed to make the team full time and competitive with TNS would be modest (a million or so a year?). They would recoup most, if not all, of that by annual European qualification. The synergies between the two clubs would be obvious, with players going in both directions on loan or permanently. It's really hard to see how this could fail.

I can't see it happening really, can you? You imagine if it would ever have happened it would have been before Cefn Druids withdrew from senior football, given the women's side play their home games there.

For all the new owners have done to increase Wrexham's international profile (both the city and club), in regards to actual tangible benefits to Welsh domestic football there's not much to report thus far on the men's side at least.

You can probably argue that Wrexham's increased popularity is sucking support away from clubs to the west if anything, given how many coaches are now travelling there from Gwynedd on a Saturday afternoon.

For a few years now they've rejected all requests to hold domestic cup finals/European ties at the Racecourse, the reserves play their home games in Nantwich of all places and Wrexham played pre-season friendlies this season against Hanley Town and Hednesford, but no-one from Wales.

They also didn't enter the Welsh League Cup despite Newport, Cardiff and Swansea all accepting invites to take part and enter Under 21 sides (although Swansea and Newport were eliminated in RD 1). I really can't envisage that Wrexham wouldn't have received an invite given they had to plonk Newport in the northern section to balance out the numbers.

It is possible to benefit Welsh domestic football without actually playing in the system, but there's no evidence of that thus far. In fact, that aspect has worsened under the new regime.

At least they used to regularly play games against Cymru Premier clubs in pre-season.

While being Welsh club is a marketing tool the new owners use when advantageous to do so, there is no obvious effort to sign Welsh players, which I find a little strange personally.

[erasedcitizen]

Jul 26, 2024 11:41:50 GMT winsumluzsum said:

there is no obvious effort to sign Welsh players, which I find a little strange personally.

We've been linked with several this window. Sometimes transfers just don't work out, we aren't going to sign players just for the sake of it.

To balance, there's 2 obvious upcoming benefits that will come out of a successful Wrexham AFC. One is an improvement in young, North Walian talent through an improved academy which will prevent a few good players from the area from getting snatched by Liverpool or Everton and fading into obscurity. Wrexham will offer another pathway for some and a 2nd chance for others.

The other is the stadium. The only way of bringing competitive international matches back up North is through an improved Cae Ras. Surely you'd have to argue this would only be a good thing for the North of Wales, where some supporters are travelling up to 5 hours to their nation's capital to watch matches.

Also, I don't buy this whole thing about attendances dropping due to Wrexham's increased attendances. If anything, attendances are higher since the takeover and the only reason they aren't on average is the loss of larger clubs such as Bangor and Rhyl. Unfair to put that on Wrexham.

If anything, Wrexham's success will have people craving football as games now sell out and tickets are harder and more expensive to come by. This is where Welsh clubs need to be stepping up and offering the alternative (and I believe some are).

Something along the lines of 'Why pay £25 a ticket plus coach fare when you can watch 'insert club here' for £10?'

The rest of the clubs in the North need to embrace Wrexham's success and piggyback off it. Bitterness will only leave them left behind.

When I lived in London, I noticed several non-league clubs such as Sutton and Bromley offered incentives to season ticket holders at Premier League clubs to boost attendances. It worked phenomenally and both have since been promoted to the EFL with massively improved gates.

[fireboy0610]

Aug 6, 2024 7:40:33 GMT erasedcitizen said:

Jul 26, 2024 11:41:50 GMT winsumluzsum said:

there is no obvious effort to sign Welsh players, which I find a little strange personally.

We've been linked with several this window. Sometimes transfers just don't work out, we aren't going to sign players just for the sake of it.

To balance, there's 2 obvious upcoming benefits that will come out of a successful Wrexham AFC. One is an improvement in young, North Walian talent through an improved academy which will prevent a few good players from the area from getting snatched by Liverpool or Everton and fading into obscurity. Wrexham will offer another pathway for some and a 2nd chance for others.

The other is the stadium. The only way of bringing competitive international matches back up North is through an improved Cae Ras. Surely you'd have to argue this would only be a good thing for the North of Wales, where some supporters are travelling up to 5 hours to their nation's capital to watch matches.

Also, I don't buy this whole thing about attendances dropping due to Wrexham's increased attendances. If anything, attendances are higher since the takeover and the only reason they aren't on average is the loss of larger clubs such as Bangor and Rhyl. Unfair to put that on Wrexham.

If anything, Wrexham's success will have people craving football as games now sell out and tickets are harder and more expensive to come by. This is where Welsh clubs need to be stepping up and offering the alternative (and I believe some are).

Something along the lines of 'Why pay £25 a ticket plus coach fare when you can watch 'insert club here' for £10?'

The rest of the clubs in the North need to embrace Wrexham's success and piggyback off it. Bitterness will only leave them left behind.

When I lived in London, I noticed several non-league clubs such as Sutton and Bromley offered incentives to season ticket holders at Premier League clubs to boost attendances. It worked phenomenally and both have since been promoted to the EFL with massively improved gates.

I for one am glad that wrecsam are doing well, as you have mentioned this success can only help everything to do with North Welsh football, more fans, more kids wanting to play football and especially for wrecsam, the chance to get wales games up there, the north welsh are phenomenally fervant fans who need rewarding, i hope it gets better for you lot EC 🤞

[jimbo82]

Interesting to hear Wrexham have been declining to host European qualifiers and cup finals. A lot of criticism has been placed on the FAW for having the cup finals in Newport, but if the Racecourse isn't on option then some of that criticism is unfair.

Do we know why Wrexham don't want to host these matches?

[garynysmon]

Aug 6, 2024 7:40:33 GMT erasedcitizen said:

Jul 26, 2024 11:41:50 GMT winsumluzsum said:

there is no obvious effort to sign Welsh players, which I find a little strange personally.

To balance, there's 2 obvious upcoming benefits that will come out of a successful Wrexham AFC. One is an improvement in young, North Walian talent through an improved academy which will prevent a few good players from the area from getting snatched by Liverpool or Everton and fading into obscurity. Wrexham will offer another pathway for some and a 2nd chance for others.

The other is the stadium. The only way of bringing competitive international matches back up North is through an improved Cae Ras. Surely you'd have to argue this would only be a good thing for the North of Wales, where some supporters are travelling up to 5 hours to their nation's capital to watch matches.

Nope, can't argue with any of those two points. You'd have to hope they will both result in long term benefits for the national side, although not sure if UEFA allow temporary stands to be used. What's the latest on the Kop stand?

My main point is that engagement with domestic Welsh clubs has never been weaker than it seems to be now. There's a lack of consistency isn't there? Introducing a Welsh language tutor and Rob/Ryan playing up the club's Welshness just doesn't mesh with on-field matters.

Snubbing the Welsh League Cup invite and playing friendlies against clubs in the English midlands rather than Welsh opposition isn't the best look.

Newport, Cardiff and Swansea have done both.

When Wrexham were last in the third tier, in Bryan Flynn and Denis Smith's days, there was a Welsh core to the squad.

There are a myriad of Welsh players capable of playing in the top end of League One. That's not the same thing as signing clearly inferior players just because they're Welsh.

Aug 6, 2024 9:46:09 GMT jimbo82 said:

Interesting to hear Wrexham have been declining to host European qualifiers and cup finals. A lot of criticism has been placed on the FAW for having the cup finals in Newport, but if the Racecourse isn't on option then some of that criticism is unfair.

Do we know why Wrexham don't want to host these matches?

This season the reason given was a need to relay the pitch, which is fair enough I suppose. But generally I guess they don't really need the money any more either.

[iot]

Aug 6, 2024 7:40:33 GMT erasedcitizen said:

Jul 26, 2024 11:41:50 GMT winsumluzsum said:

there is no obvious effort to sign Welsh players, which I find a little strange personally.

We've been linked with several this window. Sometimes transfers just don't work out, we aren't going to sign players just for the sake of it.

To balance, there's 2 obvious upcoming benefits that will come out of a successful Wrexham AFC. One is an improvement in young, North Walian talent through an improved academy which will prevent a few good players from the area from getting snatched by Liverpool or Everton and fading into obscurity. Wrexham will offer another pathway for some and a 2nd chance for others.

The other is the stadium. The only way of bringing competitive international matches back up North is through an improved Cae Ras. Surely you'd have to argue this would only be a good thing for the North of Wales, where some supporters are travelling up to 5 hours to their nation's capital to watch matches.

Also, I don't buy this whole thing about attendances dropping due to Wrexham's increased attendances. If anything, attendances are higher since the takeover and the only reason they aren't on average is the loss of larger clubs such as Bangor and Rhyl. Unfair to put that on Wrexham.

If anything, Wrexham's success will have people craving football as games now sell out and tickets are harder and more expensive to come by. This is where Welsh clubs need to be stepping up and offering the alternative (and I believe some are).

Something along the lines of 'Why pay £25 a ticket plus coach fare when you can watch 'insert club here' for £10?'

The rest of the clubs in the North need to embrace Wrexham's success and piggyback off it. Bitterness will only leave them left behind.

When I lived in London, I noticed several non-league clubs such as Sutton and Bromley offered incentives to season ticket holders at Premier League clubs to boost attendances. It worked phenomenally and both have since been promoted to the EFL with massively improved gates.

You make several fair points and a good counterbalance to the criticisms made, but surely as a Welsh-Wrexham fan you'd like to see them do more for Welsh football? I have to say, their decision to play against Hanley Town and Hednesford in pre-season instead of Cymru Prem sides really irked - it was a great opportunity for them to raise the profile of the Welsh domestic game, but chose to raise the profile of obscure non-league English sides instead. It's also really not a great look when they bring in half a dozen Irish boys, numerous English boys, and then don't bring in any Welsh lads and are looking to ship out one of the few they currently have.

[talyfan]

It's an English club playing in Wales. Developing the Welsh game or Welsh domestic game is not their prerogative. It'd be nice if they did.

I'd say the hope would be they're able to capitalise and get a good academy going. Really tap in to the footballing hotbed that is North Wales and even if they don't play for the firsts they can develop elsewhere and add to our available pool of players.

[welshrover]

They could use Chester as a feeder club😊😊

[erasedcitizen]

Aug 6, 2024 11:39:52 GMT iot said:

Aug 6, 2024 7:40:33 GMT erasedcitizen said:

We've been linked with several this window. Sometimes transfers just don't work out, we aren't going to sign players just for the sake of it.

To balance, there's 2 obvious upcoming benefits that will come out of a successful Wrexham AFC. One is an improvement in young, North Walian talent through an improved academy which will prevent a few good players from the area from getting snatched by Liverpool or Everton and fading into obscurity. Wrexham will offer another pathway for some and a 2nd chance for others.

The other is the stadium. The only way of bringing competitive international matches back up North is through an improved Cae Ras. Surely you'd have to argue this would only be a good thing for the North of Wales, where some supporters are travelling up to 5 hours to their nation's capital to watch matches.

Also, I don't buy this whole thing about attendances dropping due to Wrexham's increased attendances. If anything, attendances are higher since the takeover and the only reason they aren't on average is the loss of larger clubs such as Bangor and Rhyl. Unfair to put that on Wrexham.

If anything, Wrexham's success will have people craving football as games now sell out and tickets are harder and more expensive to come by. This is where Welsh clubs need to be stepping up and offering the alternative (and I believe some are).

Something along the lines of 'Why pay £25 a ticket plus coach fare when you can watch 'insert club here' for £10?'

The rest of the clubs in the North need to embrace Wrexham's success and piggyback off it. Bitterness will only leave them left behind.

When I lived in London, I noticed several non-league clubs such as Sutton and Bromley offered incentives to season ticket holders at Premier League clubs to boost attendances. It worked phenomenally and both have since been promoted to the EFL with massively improved gates.

You make several fair points and a good counterbalance to the criticisms made, but surely as a Welsh-Wrexham fan you'd like to see them do more for Welsh football? I have to say, their decision to play against Hanley Town and Hednesford in pre-season instead of Cymru Prem sides really irked - it was a great opportunity for them to raise the profile of the Welsh domestic game, but chose to raise the profile of obscure non-league English sides instead. It's also really not a great look when they bring in half a dozen Irish boys, numerous English boys, and then don't bring in any Welsh lads and are looking to ship out one of the few they currently have.

I don't understand why we aren't playing friendlies against Welsh sides this time around, it's a fair criticism, however we did have a couple of friendlies where the youth side faced Welsh teams last summer. That Hednesford game was for our youth side, Hanley the one that involved first teamers.

We could potentially utilise Welsh grounds for out reserves, but without knowing the ins and outs we won't know why they don't. For all we know, Welsh clubs could be trying to rip us off and Nantwich could be far more accommodating. There's grounds closer to Wrexham in the Welsh system that could be better suited, but I don't think it's wise to jump to conclusions on that one without knowing the details.

Regarding the Irish point, our head physio is also Ireland's physio. I believe a lot of the Irish players are signing because of his contacts, as well as contacts of the growing Irish contingent. They've all done a terrific job since coming in and seem to bond immediately. I'd prefer us to have a Welsh contingent in the side, but it's just not materialised so far.

Reality is that the signings we are trying to make are for players who are at the top end of League One or Championship. The players in that bracket are either asking more than they're worth, injured or we have players in those positions already.

Joe Morrell? Injured.

Will Evans? Wouldn't start ahead of Mullin so opted for Mansfield.

Tom Bradshaw? We'll see but I suspect he'll ask for more than we will want to pay and ageing.

Aaron Collins? Tried for him but Bolton outdid us.

Joe Taylor? Luton not looking to sell and can't promise first team football on loan.

There's a few others but I'm sure you get my point here, the Welsh section of the player pool is tiny and to succeed it isn't in our interests to sign players just because they are Welsh.

Unfortunately, our youth exports that have made the first team of late were all born just on the other side of the border. I sense that will improve as our academy improves.

Davies, it makes sense for his development for him to move elsewhere. He won't break into the first team ahead of Lee who is one of the best players I've seen in a Wrexham shirt and he's too good to sit on the bench. Seems unfair for that to count against us when we're actually looking out for his interests.

[talyfan]

Was/is Jake Bickerstaff eligible?

I know Max Cleworth isn't.

Just looking at the squad that played Fleetwood only Mullin, Burton and Aaron James with eligible Welsh links.

[surge]

I initially thought Davies had gone permanently but on loan is okay at a good club.

Wrexham's/ Wrecsam's plan should be to establish themselves in this league, to bring age profile down and to push again for promotion.

Part of that is improving their academy, although how much that will work is uncertain as any player obviously championship bound at a young age, or better, will be snapped up by side at higher level due to the Category system and finance rules.

[neverever]

Aug 9, 2024 7:46:00 GMT talyfan said:

Was/is Jake Bickerstaff eligible?

I know Max Cleworth isn't.

Just looking at the squad that played Fleetwood only Mullin, Burton and Aaron James with eligible Welsh links.

Think Aaron James ( even though his surname is Welsh) is english so it says on his bio & so is Jake Bickerstaff.

Harry Dean & Harry Ashfield in the first team squad are Welsh with a few others in the academy..

[neverever]

Aug 9, 2024 9:04:36 GMT surge said:

I initially thought Davies had gone permanently but on loan is okay at a good club.

Wrexham's/ Wrecsam's plan should be to establish themselves in this league, to bring age profile down and to push again for promotion.

Part of that is improving their academy, although how much that will work is uncertain as any player obviously championship bound at a young age, or better, will be snapped up by side at higher level due to the Category system and finance rules.

When they were fan owned the youth system/centre of excellence was allowed to slip and most of the finances were required to fund the first team squad getting out of the conference..


A blast from the past who remembers this article about all the bigger teams where by 10 boys left Wrexham’s youth system in 2013.. 

Recognise 4 players but not sure on where or if any of the others are still in professional game..

Maybe Mr dragonsoccer would know?

www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/10-wrexham-fc-youth-players-2739517

[talyfan]

Aug 9, 2024 9:53:50 GMT neverever said:

Aug 9, 2024 9:04:36 GMT surge said:

I initially thought Davies had gone permanently but on loan is okay at a good club.

Wrexham's/ Wrecsam's plan should be to establish themselves in this league, to bring age profile down and to push again for promotion.

Part of that is improving their academy, although how much that will work is uncertain as any player obviously championship bound at a young age, or better, will be snapped up by side at higher level due to the Category system and finance rules.

When they were fan owned the youth system/centre of excellence was allowed to slip and most of the finances were required to fund the first team squad getting out of the conference..


A blast from the past who remembers this article about all the bigger teams where by 10 boys left Wrexham’s youth system in 2013.. 

Recognise 4 players but not sure on where or if any of the others are still in professional game..

Maybe Mr dragonsoccer would know?

www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/10-wrexham-fc-youth-players-2739517

I've played against Robbie Parry last season funnily enough, plays for Bow FC in Prestatyn. Good player but wasn't head and shoulders above anyone really.

List overall isn't that bad. Few decent EFL careers in there as well as Broadhead.

[neverever]

Aug 9, 2024 10:11:07 GMT talyfan said:

Aug 9, 2024 9:53:50 GMT neverever said:

When they were fan owned the youth system/centre of excellence was allowed to slip and most of the finances were required to fund the first team squad getting out of the conference..


A blast from the past who remembers this article about all the bigger teams where by 10 boys left Wrexham’s youth system in 2013.. 

Recognise 4 players but not sure on where or if any of the others are still in professional game..

Maybe Mr dragonsoccer would know?

www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/10-wrexham-fc-youth-players-2739517

I've played against Robbie Parry last season funnily enough, plays for Bow FC in Prestatyn. Good player but wasn't head and shoulders above anyone really.

List overall isn't that bad. Few decent EFL careers in there as well as Broadhead.



Small world then..



Definitely Jones, Broadhead and Williams would & could have played a role at Wrexham.



But it must be hard for these youngsters at especially these bigger clubs to succeed given the player resources they posses skills & resist temptation & have the correct mentality..

Well remember a guy in my old school when a fair few of the bigger clubs like Man Utd, Spurs and a few other bigger teams were chasing him but unfortunately he gave into the temptation of drinking & partying & bang went his football career.

[captainhaddock]

Aug 6, 2024 9:46:09 GMT jimbo82 said:

Interesting to hear Wrexham have been declining to host European qualifiers and cup finals. A lot of criticism has been placed on the FAW for having the cup finals in Newport, but if the Racecourse isn't on option then some of that criticism is unfair.

Do we know why Wrexham don't want to host these matches?

the pitch was relaid again during the summer, the cae ras is being used for Wales youth games in future

[kracken88]

I see Wrexham are 2-1 at at home to Wycombe after seventy minutes,tough start to league one as well, Wycombe will be up there I'd imagine

[manulike]

Aug 10, 2024 18:02:04 GMT kracken88 said:

I see Wrexham are 2-1 at at home to Wycombe after seventy minutes,tough start to league one as well, Wycombe will be up there I'd imagine

Ended 3-2 ;-)

I see our Samuel Vokes still know show to knock them in.

[kracken88]

Just saw Fletcher goal on sky sports, lovely finish,I think signed an old pro like him might be a great signing, haven't a clue if he is fit enough or if he will play much but I reckon guys with that type of experience around the team can only be a good thing

[dai]

Disappointed to see that Jordan Davies has gone on loan back to league 2, I thought he was the hot home grown prospect?

Apart from Mullin, there isn't a single Welsh player in their matchday squads now.

I find that quite strange, especially when Reynolds and McElhenney have been quite passionate about the language and Welsh identity of the club. I though there'd be a bit more interest in getting Welsh players in the squad.