Mark ‘Jonah’ Jones is shortly expected to name his Wales C squad for their upcoming Challenge Match against England this month.
England boss Paul Fairclough has already named his squad with Southern League forward Brandon Goodship a surprise call-up, as the only player to play below the National League.
Will there be any shocks from the Wales camp? Y Clwb Pêl-Droed’s Jordan Jones has offered his opinion on what the squad should look like, ahead of the clash at Salford City’s Penninsula Stadium on the 19th March. It slightly differs from the squad that Tom Pritchard suggested in October.
Mark Jones, who will have former Wales senior midfielder Owain Tudur-Jones working under him as assistant manager, named an 18 man squad the last time alongside two younger players who trained but didn’t make an appearance, so we’ll be working on an 18-man basis. This is also subject to any unreported injuries.
Guto Williams and Noah Edwards were named as young players who had trained with the squad. Kayne McLaggon and Jay Owen were forced to withdraw due to injury and work commitments, then Carmarthen Town forward Mark Jones replaced McLaggon and scored against the Three Lions.
GK: Alex Ramsay (Caernarfon Town)
The Caernarfon Town goalkeeper had a superb display against Bala Town on the final day of Phase One. Ramsay is a fantastic shot stopper and commands his area well.
RB: Dylan Rees (Cardiff Metropolitan)
If it wasn’t for the departure of Macauley Southam-Hales to Football League side Barry Town United, then the 23-year-old would have been a shoo-in for this fixture.
But in his absence comes another former Cardiff City man, who may not offer the creativity of Southam-Hales, but does offer assurance.
CB: Nathan Peate (Cefn Druids)
Peate missed out the last time, but his ability to score from corners can give Wales something going forward. The Wrexham born centre-back is defensively astute and shapes a solid defence.
CB: Emlyn Lewis (Cardiff Metropolitan)
Lewis was unfortunate to miss out on Jonah’s last squad, but had missed a few months of the season due to injury.
The tall centre-back is now available to play and should slot in, given Met’s strong defensive record.
LB: Chris Hugh (Barry Town United)
Hugh earned rave reviews from manager Mark Jones the last time and has been one of Barry’s top performances, in what is a creative side.
His ability to keep the ball due to his Futsal nature and his creativity can give Wales a boost going forward.
(Image: Matthew Lofthouse)
CM: Eliot Evans (Cardiff Metropolitan)
Nine goals and eight assists for Cardiff Met’s Eliot Evans this season should see him into the squad for the second time. He’s an important player for the Archers.
(Image: Will Cheshire)
CM: Aeron Edwards (The New Saints)
Jonah said in his last game for Wales that Edwards covered every blade of grass and that will be his job again in Salford as the holding midfielder.
(Image: Rhys Skinner)
CM: Jordan Cotterill (Barry Town United)
The Barry Town United captain provided Kayne McLaggon with three assists on Saturday and deserves a place in the squad for his creativity.
RW: Danny Brookwell (Caernarfon Town)
Brookwell has burst on to the scene and has fully adapted to top tier football. Pace is going to be a big thing in how this team plays.
ST: Liam Thomas (Carmarthen Town)
The highest scoring striker in the Welsh Premier League at the moment, Thomas is fully deserving of a place in the Wales C squad.
Thomas is a direct forward and you know what you’ll get from him. An honest hard worker who knows where the net is.
LW: Henry Jones (Bala Town)
The highest amount of assists in the Welsh Premier League for an under-performing Bala team. Jones’ return to the Welsh Premier League having had a brief spell with Fylde sees him eligible this time. His rabonna assist went viral earlier on in the season but now Jones could have the chance to pull on the red shirt of Wales.
Substitutes:
Ashley Morris (Bala Town)
Goalkeeper for Wales C last time, Ashley Morris’ experience in the Welsh Premier League should see him make this squad again.
Curtis Watkins (Barry Town United)
Part of a strong Barry Town United defence who are ranked the fourth best defence in the league.
Chris Venables (Bala Town)
He was one of the players who grew into the game last year. Venables could be that experience Jonah needs, even if he isn’t a starter.
Adam Roscrow (Cardiff Metropolitan)
Roscrow was named and started in the last fixture. A fully fit Roscrow can cause problems. He also can play on the wing, offering Jonah some versatility.
Nathan Craig (Caernarfon Town)
The Caernarfon Town skipper could be an option off the bench. Hugh starts over Craig due to his pace and delivery, but Craig is a good option to have off the bench.
Kayne McLaggon (Barry Town United)
Fresh from his three-goals against Cambrian & Clydach on Saturday, McLaggon now has 14 goals in all competitions this season. The 28-year-old forward
James Loveridge (Llanelli Town)
Depending on whether he is fit, after missing a number of Llanelli games. Loveridge has been the star performer in a poor Llanelli team.
The arrival of Ngoy has allowed him more of a freedom role and Loveridge is scoring goals in a side which is shipping a fair few.
His pace could pose a threat to the England defence.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
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