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Welsh Football – Finally On The Rise?

It was like clockwork watching Cardiff City last night. The style of football being played wasn’t that of a Championship club. It was that of a team destined for the Premier League.

The likes of Craig Bellamy, Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd are obviously the stars but backed up by the equally adept Chris Burke, Peter Whittingham and Seyi Olofinjana and Cardiff are a force, not just at this level but at any standard. It’s an attacking line-up fit for a better division and last night showcased it. Such was “The Bluebirds” comfortableness Bellamy had time to perform a ball juggle on the half way line, ill advised granted, Leeds of old would have booted him over the Elland Road roof, but it showed the Welsh sides dominance.

Few can question Bellamy’s enjoyment either. He certainly loves playing in the Championship, a level below his natural standard, but he is finally happy. Away from the riches of Manchester City and the bright lights of the Premier League he is comfortable. He’s home. A quick pat on the head to the Cardiff fans and he was off again, chasing, charging and pressuring Leeds’ defenders who didn’t get a break all game. Neither did his team-mates for that matter, he demands excellence and it shows. When he’s involved in a move Cardiff pass the ball more firmly, move more quickly and are ultimately more clinical. Cardiff is bringing the best out of Bellamy and Bellamy is brining the best out of Cardiff.

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If you head deeper into Wales there is another team plying its trade in the English league hopeful of a Premier League place though. Swansea City, without the high profile players, are still looking strong. Last season they couldn’t score, Sousa, slick and stylish in appearance and football, couldn’t find the right mix of defending and attacking and Swansea fell short, just, on the final day of the season. This season has been different though. Brendan Rodgers has deployed a new attacking ethos into Swansea and it’s working.

Helped by the signing of Scott Sinclair, who has been simply brilliant so far, Swansea have powered their way into third, just a place behind Cardiff who are in the automatics, playing the attractive style of football that they have become famous for in recent seasons and scoring goals at the same time. Swansea have become a force in the Championship and this season, if they continue to play as they are currently, may well be the one where they achieve promotion to the Premier League.

The great starts of the two major Welsh clubs playing in England isn’t the only success story coming from the country though. Neath FC, in the Welsh Premier Division, also have an attacking star of their own.  Lee Trundle is another player returning to Wales, having played there with Swansea, after a career in England. Trundle could hardly have got off to a better start either, 7 goals in 10 games shows that he has soon settled down at Neath, indeed his already leading the scoring charts in a league that is desperately short of talent. Neath are feeling the effects of Trundle joining as well, having a player of his talent has meant that an increase of people are watching them play. It’s hardly masses but a recent attendance of over 900 people is a huge amount of spectators for a Welsh Premier Division match, with a number of teams struggling to attract even a third of that figure.

The national team may also have something to look forward to soon, after years of hurt. Gareth Bale is already a world star after announcing his name on the big stage with a recent hat-trick against Inter Milan. Bale looks like he will take over the baton from Ryan Giggs as the golden-boy of Welsh football. Aaron Ramsey also is a talent that will soon return, after breaking his leg at Stoke last season. Add to this the young prospects of Simon Church, at Reading, Joe Ledley, at Celtic and Andy King, at Leicester and finally Welsh football fans may have something to look forward to.

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After waiting for years to have a team in the English Premier League Wales, next season, may have two. The national league finally has a show-case player in it. Someone to increase attendances and, perhaps, attract interest from other Welsh players to join the league and add some much needed talent. As a nation they may also have some stars of the future to look forward to seeing develop. After years of  little success Welsh football fans may finally have something to celebrate. Starting with a Welsh derby in the English Premier League.

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