Scottish Premier League Results 22nd August 2010

Celtic 4-0 St Mirren
Joe Ledley played at left back again, even though he doesn’t like it, and it didn’t seem to hamper him too much as he scored his first Ceutc goal in an entertaining but rather one-sided match

Hibernian 0-3 Rangers
Celtic might be back to their old selves but Rangers are going to battle them all the way. David Stephens sat on the bench for the losing side.

Kilmarnock 0-1 Motherwell
Kyle Letheren could be wondering he did the right thing after this match. After spending some time with Motherwell, he decided to play for Kilmarnock this season. But maybe Kilmarnock could try playing him. It might work.

Scottish Premier League Fixtures 22nd August 2010

Celtic v St Mirren
Celtic will be joint top of the league if they win this match. St Mirren too are unbeaten but they haven’t actually won yet and Celtic Park isn’t the easiest place to get three points.
Joe Ledley should start for Celtic but St Mirren won’t have Andy Dorman because he plays for Crystal Palace now.

Hibernian v Rangers
Hibernain were in third place in the League – but now they face the Champions.
David Stephens will probably be on the bench for Hibernian.

Kilmarnock v Motherwell
Both teams are in search of their first point – and by the end of this match, neither team will be pointless.
Kyle Letheren will probably be on the bench as his new club Kilmarnock face his former club Motherwell.

Welsh Player News 16th August 2010 (Scotland)

Aberdeen haven’t signed former Charlton Athletic defender Grant Basey yet but manager Mark McGhee says he’ll get it sorted soon and Grant isn’t going anywhere. I think that’s what Charlton thought too.

FC Utrecht play Celtic in an Europa League play-off match – and Joe Ledley is the player who’s got them quaking in their football boots. They will probably be even more scared if Craig Bellamy joins the club, as Joe hopes he will.
Joe played as Celtic beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1-0 away.


David Stephens was a substitute for Hibernian when they faced Motherwell but he made his presence felt when he got on the line to deny Motherwell a last-minute equaliser. Hibernian won 3-2 away. I just hope David likes being referred to as ‘Big David Stephens’ because his manager keeps on doing it!

Kyle Letheren has signed a one-year contract with Kilmarnock.

Rhys Weston has an ankle injury and was unable to play for Dundee against Partick Thistle. Home side Partick won 1-0. Dundee have won all their competitive matches with Rhys in the side apart from the one where he left after 17 minutes Dundee play Ross County on Saturday.

Welsh Player News (and rumours) 2nd August Scottish/Irish

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee wants to sign trialist Grant Basey but he needs to sort out some financial issues first.

Joe Ledley is loving life at Celtic. He missed the defeat to Arsenal in the Emirates Cup due to a knock. Celtic came back from 3-0 down but Arsenal just about hung on for once.

I was all ready to write about Rhys Weston joining Motherwell – only to find he’s signed for Dundee instead. He’s thrilled to be living with his family again and he hopes to get Dundee back into the Premier League.

Kyle Letheren doesn’t seem to like Motherwell much either. They didn’t let him play once and he’s in talks with Kilmarnock now.

David Stephens played the full match for Hibernian as they lost 1-0 to Jason Price’s Carlisle United.


Matthew Tipton has signed for Dundalk following an unsuccessful trial with Bradford City. His debut was a 1-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers.

Welsh Player News 31st July Scotland

At least two Aberdeen trialists have been ditched but Grant Basey is still hanging in there and it looks as though the manager wants him. A return to Charlton Athletic certainly looks unlikely.

Joe Ledley thinks Celtic can still qualify for the Champions’ League. It’s probably about as likely as you staying at Cardiff, Joe. But as my Scottish friend’s little girl says, at least you’ll have more energy for beating Rangers next season and that’s the important thing.

Meanwhile David Stephens, now with Hibernian, is excited about playing in the Europa League. I think it’s great. It’s easy to see that for some Premier League clubs, the Europa League is just an embarrassing and unwelcome distraction that comes too close to the weekend games. But it’s great to see players appreciating it.

Kyle Letheren was on trial at Motherwell last I heard, now he seems to be at Kilmarnock. But this report is dated 22nd July, who knows where he is now.

Rhys Weston hasn’t signed for Motherwell yet but it’s expected to be finalised soon.

Welsh Player News 9th February

Arron Davies is training with Yeovil Town but it looks as though he won’t be able to sign for them after all. The FA decided it was against the rules, even though other players have been able to do it, and Yeovil manager Terry Skiverton’s appeals have so far come to nothing. Maybe he could sign up for a League of Wales side, then they could loan him to Yeovil. (Yeah and maybe Yeovil will get promoted to the Championship.)

Alex Titchener came off the bench after 56 minutes to inspire loan side Colwyn Bay (who were down to 10 men) to a 2-1 win over Harrogate Railway. The 18 year old is on loan from Crewe Alexandra,

Two Scottish Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in goalkeeper Kyle Letheren, out of contract after Plymouth refused to honour a promise to extend his contract with them. One of the Scottish sides is Kilmarnock, I’m not sure about the others. Some League Two clubs showed an interest but Kyle would rather not drop that far down the League.

Transfers that Actually Hapened Part 1

Nicky Adams went to Leyton Orient on loan to Leicester and has so far been a great attacking threat who has played a big part in many of Leicester’s goals.
David Cotterill was on loan at Swansea but as soon as he could, they made it permanent. David hasn’t always been a regular scorer but his long-range goal for Swansea was amazing.
Arron Davies was released by Nottingham Forest. Yeovil Town wanted to sign him but as he had already played for two clubs the season, Forest and loan club Brighton & Hove Albion, the FA decided he couldn’t play for another club this season. So okay this one didn't totally happen but it would have done if the FA weren't so mean.
Craig Davies joined Port Vale from Brighton for a month-long loan. He’s looked sharp and has just scored his first goal and Port Vale have extended his contract to the end of the seasoin
Glyn Garner was released by Shrewsbury Town by mutual consent. He remained at the club until he was fully recovered from a shoulder injury and has since then been looking for a new club.
Lewis Haldane was hoping to sign for Port Vale permanently after a successful loan spell came to an end but Bristol Rovers seemed even less interested in releasing him than they were in playing him. So Lewis signed a second loan which was cancelled when Bristol Rovers finally got sorted and Lewis became an official Port Vale player. How did he celebrate? Thirty-one minutes into his debut he got a yellow card. Seven minutes later he got his second and he celebrated with an early bath.
Kyle Letheren had a verbal agreement with Plymouth Argyle that his contract would be extended but instead they ended up releasing him. Kyle had had interest from clubs previously but had turned them down because of the expected contract from Plymouth. As far as I know, he hasn’t managed to find a new club.

Part 2

FA Cup Third Round Fixtures 13th January

Reading v Liverpool
Simon Church is dreaming of knocking Liverpool out of the Cup. As long as he wakes up in time for this match, there’s nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, I’m dreaming exactly the same thing.

Newcastle United v Plymouth Argyle
Carl Fletcher could find himself at centre back as Plymouth face an injury crisis but many would say centre back is the perfect place for the captain to be. Plymouth have been moaning about not having enough goakeepers – you shouldn’t have released Kyle Letheren, then should you?

Welsh Transfer Rumours 11th January

Arron Davies, who was released by Nottingham Forest in December, is rumoured to have attracted the interest of Leeds United. It’s a surprise but a very nice one.

The father of Kyle Letheren is angry with Plymouth Argyle for releasing their son, after a verbal agreement that his contract would be extended. Kyle turned down approaches from other clubs as he believed he was going to be at Plymouth for the time being. However, he shouldn’t be without a club for long. Wolves, Falkirk and Hibernian have all showed interest. Wolves already have a brilliant Welsh goalkeeper but maybe they can find space for one more. Just think, if Wolves stay in the Premier League, Kyle will be two whole divisions above the team that released him.

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies seems certain that Gareth Bale will be joining them this transfer window. Unlikely, considering that this would leave Tottenham without a left back. Not that I mind too much if Tottenham don’t have any left backs.

It doesn’t seem likely that Joe Ledley will still be at Cardiff when the transfer window closes. And if he is, it’ll be because of his injury and impending operation rather than because no-one wants him. Just two of those clubs rumoured to be interested are Blackburn Rovers and Celtic.
Cardiff are just hoping he won’t go abroad as then they won’t get any compensation if he leaves on a free transfer. Celtic apparently counts as abroad but presumably ‘abroad’ refers to clubs outside the English league rather than clubs outside Wales.

Arsenal and Manchester United are again being linked heavily with Adam Matthews. Adam is a very good player who would certainly have chances at Arsenal and probably Manchester United too – they have some more experienced right backs but they’re usually injured.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy offered Leeds United £300000 plus Sam Vokes but Simon Grayson turned him down. However, as the move would have involved Jermaine Beckford going the other way, maybe you can’t blame Grayson for wanting a just little bit more.

Fans of Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough have expressed their admiration for Jason Koumas. Time will tell if the managers agree but I hope they do. It’s sad seeing Jason playing so little for Wigan. He’s too good for their bench.

Cardiff City’s Aaron Morris has signed on loan for Newport County. This actually happened around 23rd December but I only just found out about it.

Ben Thatcher probably won’t be at Ipswich for long if Roy Keane can help it. The midfielder reportedly only coming into training “when he fancies it, and when the traffic’s not too bad.” But be warned: this quote has only been used by the Daily Mail and the Sun. So it could be bollocks.

Yeovil have fought off competition from other clubs to re-sign Shaun MacDonald on loan from Swansea City.

If Bradford City want to keep Michael Flynn they need to act fast – he’s about to leave on a free transfer.

Bristol Rovers’ David Pipe has had his loan to Cheltenham extended until the end of the season.

Crewe Alexandra’s young striker Alex Tichiner has gone to Colwyn Bay on loan.

Welsh Transfer Window Rumours 1st January Part 2

Kyle Letherhen to ?
Kyle Letheren has been released by Plymouth Argyle after his contract came to an end. He was only signed short-term to sit on the bench and cover while their usual second-string goalkeeper was injured. No word yet on whether he’s likely to join another club in the near future but it’s hard to believe that a keeper who’s good enough to sit on a Championship bench should have too much trouble finding a new club.

Adam Matthews to Manchester United or Arsenal
Manchester United have apparently beaten Arsenal to the signing of Adam Matthews but as this was announced at least a week before the transfer window opened, I can’t take this too seriously. Besides, Adam might choose to go to Arsenal like Aaron Ramsey did. If Adam goes to Arsenal, he’ll be guaranteed Carling Cup and possibly FA Cup appearances (next season), he will also have chances to play in Premier League and Champions’ League games against weaker opposition. This might also happen if he plays for Manchester United but it’s not guaranteed. Also, Man U already have a young right back in Rafael and he is behind about three (admittedly injury prone) right backs in the pecking order. At Arsenal, Adam will be behind Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Eboué, who might be playing right wing anyway.
Most of all though, I think I’d like to see him stay as Cardiff City. He’s quality and Cardiff really need some of that at the moment. And Cardiff are giving him regular, if not weekly, first team games.

Shaun MacDonald to Yeovil (loan)
Yeovil wanted to extend Shaun MacDonald’s loan but Swansea wanted him back. But as he hasn’t even been on the bench for Swansea yet it’s not impossible Yeovil will get their way and get him back.

Craig Morgan to Notts County
Notts County are aiming high – or at least as high as the bottom of the Championship. Craig Morgan doesn’t seem to be a manager’s favourite at Peterborough United, apparently preferring to play him only when needed. Not many players would willingly give up Championship football in favour of League Two, even if the chances are he’ll be playing League One football whichever club he’s at. Notts County are a bigger club than Peterborough with a bigger history but they do seem to be in quite a big mess.

Lewis Price to ?
I’m not quite sure what’s happening with Lewis Price. First he was Brentford’s first-choice keeper. Then he was dropped from the squad completely and Derby were making noises about wanting him back. Now Lewis is back between the sticks and Derby have gone quiet but with Wojciech Szczęsny apparently preferred when fit, who knows what’s going to happen?

Anthony Pulis to Lincoln City (loan)
Anthony Pulis has been on-loan at Lincoln for a while but he has not featured for a while due to injury. It was thought his loan would come to an end before he recovered but that Lincoln would get him back for another loan when he was better.

Ryan Shawcross to Manchester United
Two years ago, Manchester United sold Ryan Shawcross to Stoke on the grounds that he wasn’t good enough for them. A season and a half for Stoke in the Premier League and Man Utd are beginning to think that maybe they made a bit of a mistake. But Stoke don’t want to sell him and Ryan seems more interested in regular football with Stoke than Manchester United’s wage bill.

Brian Stock to Cardiff City
Brian Stock has hardly played for Doncaster Rovers this season due to injury but Cardiff are still interested in this strong and influential midfield player. And especially with Joe Ledley going off to have an operation, Cardiff really need one of those. Doncaster are doing amazingly well but you can’t really imagine them in the Premier League – which is (if they stop giving up 4-goal leads) more of a possibility for Cardiff.

Ben Thatcher to ?
Roy Keane insists the only reason Ben Thatcher isn’t playing for Ipswich Town is because he has a knee injury. Well fair enough. But there are rumblings that two of football’s biggest hotheads don’t get on terribly well and that Ben refused to adhere to Roy’s rule that all players must live within a certain distance from the training ground. You can’t blame a manager for putting a player on the transfer list if this is true. But how many clubs would be interested in an injured hothead?

Ashley Williams to Wigan Athletic
Just as former Wigan boss Steve Bruce has buying all his old Wigan recruits for Sunderland, Roberto Martinez has been raiding his own club Swansea. And next on his list seems to be centre back Ashley Williams, who has lately been captain of both Swansea and Wales. No word on whether Ashley is happy to go – it depends on whether he prefers a relegation battle he has a good chance of surviving or a promotion battle that might come to nothing.

FA Cup Third Round Fixtures 2nd January Part 3

Middlesbrough v Manchester City
It would be lovely to see Middlesbrough get back to winning ways against Manchester City, who are one of those teams I really don’t like very much. But good as Boro’s Danny Coyne and Rhys Williams are, they will struggle to stop City’s Craig Bellamy.

Millwall v Derby County
Will the lions lie down for the lambs? Possibly not. Derby’s Robbie Savage will miss the match through suspension and he’s their best player (and no he didn't get his yellow card on purpose because he's scared of Millwall). Jason Price might well not start for Millwall as starting matches doesn’t always seem to work for him.

Milton Keynes Dons v Burnley
Jermaine Easter is a great goalscorer but it has to be said, Burnley has knocked better teams than MK Dons out of Cups.

Nottingham Forest v Birmingham City
Birmingham haven’t lost for months but neither have Nottingham Forest. And as it’s a Cp game, only one team will finish the match with their unbeaten run intact (unless it goes to a replay of course). Chris Gunter has been in fine form in Forest’s defence, also managing to drop that yellow card I mentioned a while back. And Robert Earnshaw will always score if you give him a chance. Okay some of his goals might be disallowed but at least he knows where the goal is.

Plymouth Argyle v Newcastle United
Considering Newcastle are top of the Championship and Plymouth are in the relegation places, you wouldn’t exactly expect Plymouth captain Carl Fletcher to be on the winning side. Cardiff City have refused Darcy Blake permission to represent his loan side in the Cup (although if they agree to extend Darcy’s loan they might let Plymouth play him after all). So everything points to an away win. Except that this is the FA Cup and anything could happen.
Kyle Letheren has left Plymouth Argyle after his contract came to an end and was not renewed. I hope he finds a new club soon and that he’s very happy there and makes loads of saves. I bet loads of clubs would love a new Welsh goalkeeper.

Championship Results 28th December Part 2

Peterborough United 4-4 Cardiff City
As you know, Cardiff are my favourite Welsh team so I was absolutely thrilled when Cardiff went 4-0 up, after two excellent goals from Joe Ledley and two from two other Cardiff players. Adam Matthews played in midfield alongside Joe.
But Peterborough didn’t give up that easily. They were 4-0 down, Craig Morgan had lost his clean sheet long ago, yet they scored four goals in the second half and stole a point. Poor Cardiff.

Plymouth Argyle 4-1 Reading
Simon Church came back from suspension but despite playing the full match for Reading he just could not quite find the net. So Carl Fletcher captained Plymouth to an emphatic win over a team who really should have got promoted last season. And Plymouth didn’t even need Kyle Letheren or Darcy Blake, who stayed on the bench. Darcy however is likely to feature in future games as Plymouth are hoping to extend his loan from Cardiff.

Sheffield United 1-0 Preston North End
Ched Evans played the full match on his 21st birthday as Sheffield United got an important win that takes them to within two points of the play-offs. He didn’t score but he had a good game. Paul Parry started for Preston but was replaced after 59 minutes. It was still 0-0 then.

Swansea City 0-0 Crystal Palace
Swansea fans might be disappointed with a draw but they did well to hold on after having a player sent off in the 17th minute. And no, it wasn’t Ashley Williams or Joe Allen, who was, worryingly, substituted after 22 minutes but team-mate Darren Pratley has insisted this was more due to the need to add an extra defender after one was sent off than a punishment for Joe’s yellow card minutes before.
David Cornell was on the bench but there was no sign of David Cotterill.

Championship Results 26th December Part 1

Cardiff City 0-1 Plymouth Argyle
A shock win for Plymouth despite the absence of Darcy Blake, who wasn’t allowed to play against his parent club Cardiff. What a shame, most people love getting one over on their parents. A free kick from Carl Fletcher nearly led to a goal for Plymouth. Kyle Letheren stayed on the bench – the goalkeeper’s contract runs out on December 31st.
Joe Ledley didn’t seem to make a huge contribution but the poor man needs a hip replacement (or something), what do you expect? Adam Matthews came on as a substitute and to his credit Plymouth scored no more goals.

Coventry City 0-0 Doncaster Rovers
The best thing about this match was that Brian Stock was fit enough to be on the bench! Doncaster have been doing well without him but they can only improve now, if especially if Gareth Roberts and John Oster keep playing well (give or take the odd own goal and substitution). John nearly scored again.
Freddy Eastwood couldn’t manage another goal although he came close but really, four in three games more than acceptable. Besides, he was ill so he did well just to be standing up. Are you watching, John Toshack?

Championship Results 19th December Part 1

Bristol City 1-1 Reading
Simon Church was only on the pitch for 15 minutes but you can’t say he didn’t get the full match experience. He got a yellow card for dissent before coming on as a substitute, he scored a very important goal and then got sent off for celebrating it. (Don’t do that for Wales though, Simon. Just don’t.)
But Bristol City’s Gavin Williams did one of the few things Simon didn’t – he became the substitute who replaced the substitute when he came on after 85 minutes.
Lewin Nyatanga seemed to be playing in midfield for Bristol City but maybe BBC Sport got the team sheet in the wrong order.

Derby County 0-2 Doncaster Rovers
After being relegated from the Premier League with fewer wins than Gareth Bale, Derby now found themselves losing to a side who were in the Conference not that long ago. Robbie Savage helped Doncaster with the first goal which would have been great except he plays for Derby.
Gareth Roberts helped Doncaster to get a clean sheet and although John Oster was substituted, this wasn’t before he’d got the assist for Doncaster’s second goal.

Nottingham Forest 3-0 Preston North End
I heard a bit of this match during the Arsenal match and I’m sure they said Robert Earnshaw scored a goal. Which he did. It's just it was offside so it didn't count. Rob was substituted after 78 minutes but Chris Gunter played the full match.
Paul Parry played the first sixty minutes for Preston and didn’t seem to have a great game. He and Chris used to play for Cardiff together so maybe he got confused.

Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Coventry City
Freddy Eastwood scored his fourth goal in two games and I’m sure his manager can’t complain about that. He might even have scored more if he hadn’t been substituted. It looked like it was going to be a 0-0 but one goal was enough to change all that (which is usually the case). Carl Fletcher came close for Coventry and Kyle Letheren was on the bench.

QPR 1-0 Sheffield United
Rhys Taylor stayed on the bench for QPR and surprisingly Ched Evans did the same for Sheffield United. It seems simple to me. If you need to score, bring a striker on.

Championship Fixtures 19th December Part 3

Plymouth Argyle v Coventry City
Carl Fletcher should play for Plymouth but Darcy Blake has hurt his heel and is a doubt. Poor Kyle Letheren was in goal when Plymouth Reserves were beaten 2-1 by Salisbury City Reserves but I hope he’ll still be on the bench.
Coventry manager Chris Coleman has challenged Freddy Eastwood to build on last week’s hat-trick – and Plymouth aren’t a bad team to practise against.

Queen’s Park Rangers v Sheffield United
No news on QPR’s Rhys Taylor so I can only assume it’ll be the bench for him again. Sheffield United’s Ched Evans will be hoping to get a start and improve his goal ratio.

Scunthorpe United v Ipswich Town
Roy Keane says Ipswich were able to train on Friday morning despite the snow and that only one player was late. He doesn’t say who but TWTD.co.uk thinks it was Ben Thatcher. But as, according to the same site, Ben lives further away from the ground than the rest of his team-mates, it would be understandable if he was late.

Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea City
David Cotterill is hoping to improve Swansea’s strike rate – and giving him a start alongside Ashley Williams can only help. Joe Allen has a chance of starting, David Cornell will be on the bench as long as he hasn’t got some injury I don’t know about, and Ashley Richards could be a substitute too.

Championship Results 12th December Part 1

Coventry 3-2 Peterborough United
If Freddy Eastwood wants to get back into the Wales squad, goals can only help him. A hat-trick? Even better. And if I say his goals were good, it’s not just my bias talking.
Peterborough defender Craig Morgan didn’t have quite such a good day but TeleText says he got an assist.

Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Bristol City
Doncaster aren’t going down without a fight. On this evidence, they’re not going down at all. Gareth Roberts played the full match and although John Oster played well and came close to scoring but he was substituted in the final minute of normal time. Oh well, he can’t say he didn’t get 90 minutes. Lewin Nyatanga and Gavin Williams both featured for Bristol City.

Ipswich 3-1 Blackpool
A great result for Ipswich but not such a good result for the Welsh players. Neal Eardley made some good crosses and got the assist for Blackpool but David Vaughan was sent off for two bookable offences.

Leicester City 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Leicester got back to winning ways and they probably couldn’t have done it without Andy King, who scored their second and third goals. Nicky Adams was on the bench.

Preston North End 2-0 Plymouth Argyle
Paul Parry played the first 69 minutes for Preston – he probably wasn’t needed after that. Preston’s Carl Fletcher (who nearly scored) and Darcy Blake (who was substituted after 78 minutes) probably tried their hardest but it’s not easy when you play for Plymouth. Kyle Letheren was their substitute goalkeeper. Maybe it’s worth giving him a run? Boaz Myhill and Mark Crossley played their first games in goal for a while – Mark was on the winning side and Bo got a clean sheet.

Championship Fixtures 12th December Part 2

Preston North End v Plymouth Argyle
Paul Parry started on Preston’s bench last week but Plymouth captain Carl Fletcher is almost certain to play. Darcy Blake will be in their squad somewhere (f I knew where I'd tell you) and Kyle Letheren will be on the bench.

Reading v Scunthorpe United
Simon Church missed Reading’s last match due to a back injury but he could return for the match against Scunthorpe. Luckily Reading are crap at the moment, Scunthorpe would beat them if they were any good.

Sheffield United v Crystal Palace
Ched Evans has struggled with the scoring side of his game and could be on Sheffied United’s bench again but I hope not.

Championship Results 8th December Part 2

Reading 2-4 Crystal Palace
Simon Church must have failed his late fitness test on his back injury but in a way I’m glad. He’s had so many injury problems lately but he’s always started and he’s mostly had to leave the field early. I don’t want him to be injured but if he is it’s good he’s getting the chance to recover properly.

Sheffield United 0-0 Nottingham Forest
That’s the trouble when you score five goals at the weekend – you don’t have any left for Tuesday night! Nottingham Forest’s Robert Earnshaw couldn’t continue his scoring run (but three goals in two games sounds pretty good to me). He won his side a corner at one point but you can’t do anything with a corner if the referee awards a goal kick instead. Chris Gunter got a clean sheet for Forest – which is more than he did at the weekend – and was described as ‘outstanding’ and ‘excellent’ by people other than me.
Ched Evans played 62 minutes for Sheffield United. He didn’t score but you can’t say he didn’t try. He got fouled in the penalty area and everything but the referee didn’t see it.

Swansea City 1-0 Plymouth Argyle
Ashley Williams, Joe Allen and David Cotterill all got a start for Swansea. Joe was replaced at half-time (oh dear, is he injured?) but David played 85 minutes which could be more than he’s played for Swansea in his other matches for them put together.
Carl Fletcher didn’t have a great game for Plymouth. He got a yellow card for dissent but it’s not his fault if the referee gets it wrong sometimes. If they were in any other job, the referee (not that he’d be a referee) would probably be grateful to have someone like Carl to point out where they’re going wrong. But this is football so he gets another yellow (and it’s not impossible he deserved it).
Welsh goalkeepers David Cornell (Swansea) and Kyle Letheren (Plymouth) were on the bench,

West Brom 0-2 Cardiff City
Cardiff beat West Brom at the Hawthorns for the first time in 52 years. They were probably in different divisions for lots of that time though. I remember Cardiff being in the bottom division but I don’t remember West Brom being any lower than the second tier. Of course I can’t remember back 52 years. And I shouldn’t think my parents can either.
Adam Matthews was on the bench but Joe Ledley wasn’t in the squad. Maybe he’ll be able to have his hip operation soon, then he’ll be all better before the end of the season. If Cardiff can win away at West Brom without Joe, they can probably just about scrape by for the next few months.

Championship News 6th December Part 3

Swansea City v Plymouth Argyle
I hope David Cotterill is in with a chance of getting his first start for Swansea after a strong display from the bench at the weekend. David Cornell, Joe Allen and Ashley Richards should be at least on the bench again. Ashley Williams thinks Swansea could get into the promotion places. As Cardiff are my Welsh team I would love to laugh at him. But I can’t, I agree with him.
Plymouth also have a strong Welsh contingent. Like Swansea, they have a Welsh substitute goalkeeper – Kyle Letheren. Carl Fletcher should captain the side and Darcy Blake could play at right back. Manager paul Sturrock is hoping to extend Darcy’s loan so he can’t have messed up too badly.

West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
It’s not going to be an easy job for Cardiff – even if they have a fully fit side. Joe Ledley was substituted last week and it looks as though it is his hip which is the problem. Joe says he wants the operation to correct it sooner rather than later and although some Cardiff fans are having trouble believing he needs an operation I think he’s being quite sensible really, for a footballer. I would love to see Cardiff get promoted and that will be more difficult if Joe is missing for a few months. But I would much rather see that than see Joe struggle with his hip for the rest of his career. And I’d say that about any player, not just the Welsh ones.
I do sympathise with the fans who are upset Joe hasn’t signed a contract. But would you sign a contract with an employer who was asking you to compromise your long-term health?
Despite rumours that Adam Matthews has signed for Manchester United I fully expect him to be on the bench for Cardiff.

FA Cup Third Round Draw Part 4

Staines Town or Millwall v Derby County
Staines or Jason Price v Robbie Savage

Plymouth Argyle v Newcastle United
Carl Fletcher & Kyle Letheren v Newcastle

Leicester City v Swansea City
Nicky Adams, Andy King & Elliott Chamberlain v Ashley Williams, Joe Allen & Ashley Richards

Bolton Wanderers v Lincoln City
Sam Ricketts v Anthony Pulis (if permitted to play)

Accrington Stanley or Barnet v Gillingham

Manchester United v Kettering Town or Leeds United
Ryan Giggs v Kettering or Leeds