Welsh Players Christmas-New Year matches 2011-11 (Championship, Part 1)

Bristol City
Lewin Nyatanga worked his way back into the first team at Bristol City following a loan spell at Peterborough.
Hull A 2-0 (bench)
Reading A 2-1 (bench, on 49)
Palace H 1-1 (starts)
Cardiff H 3-0 (played all)
QPR A 2-2 (played all)

Christian Ribeiro spent some time as a starter for Bristol City but his back injury made an unwelcome return and he hasn’t started since.
Hull A 2-0 (starts, Y foul 22, off 70)
Reading A 2-1 (played all)
Palace H 1-1 (unselected)
Cardiff H 3-0 (bench, on 52)
QPR A 2-2 (bench)

Gavin Williams returned his loan spell at Yeovil Town but he hasn’t even been on the bench so far.

Brett Pitman has continued to make up for his lack of goals in the earlier part of the season with three in his last three matches.
Hull A 2-0 (played all)
Reading A 2-1 (starts, off 76)
Palace H 1-1 (bench, on 58, G1 pen 95)
Cardiff H 3-0 (G1 3, played all)
QPR A 2-2 (G1 50, Y foul 76, played all)

James Wilson continues his long rehabilitation from a knee injury.

Cardiff City
Injuries and poor results combined to keep Darcy Blake on the bench but he’s actually been doing very well.
Coventry H 2-0 (bench)
Watford A 4-1 (played all)
Bristol C A 3-0 (bench, on 16)
Leeds H 2-1 (bench, on 74)

Adam Matthews has been excellent when he plays but he doesn’t get many chances. But he is very young and perhaps Dave Jones is protecting him for once.
Coventry H 2-0 (bench)
Watford A 4-1 (bench, on 35)
Bristol C A 3-0 (bench)
Leeds H 2-1 (bench)

It was thought that Jason Koumas would make a big difference for Cardiff but for the most part he’s been making a difference as a substitute. He could be still builfing up match fitness but maybe he’s just not doing enough to get into the starting line-up. Fans of parent club Wigan Athletic would probably conclude this is possible.
Coventry H 2-0 (bench)
Watford A 4-1 (bench, on 76)
Bristol C A 3-0 (bench, on 67)
Leeds H 2-1 (bench)

Craig Bellamy had one rest over the Christmas period, presumably to give his injured knee a break but with two goals and an assist from his last three games, he’s doing well. Now he just needs to persuade Cardiff City to do well too.
Coventry H 2-0 (A1 21, Y foul 60, G2 83, played all)
Watford A 4-1 (unselected)
Bristol C A 3-0 (played all)
Leeds H 2-1 (G1 11, played all)

Jonathan Meades returned to Cardiff following an unsuccessful attempt to save FK Moss from relegation. He made his first appearance on the bench this season in the win over Leeds United.
Leeds H 2-1 (bench)

Aaron Wildig seems to be in and out of the squad at the moment which is not surprising given his age but most likely very disappointing after playing such a big part last season.
Coventry H 2-0 (bench)
Watford A 4-1 (bench)
Bristol C A 3-0 (unselected)
Leeds H 2-1 (unselected)

Nathaniel Jarvis has been on the bench for Cardiff this season but not since his return from a loan spell at Southend United.