How Leo Smith could fill the void left by Aeron Edwards’ departure
Reports from Port Vale say Leo Smith is a target for the Valiants. (Image: Paul Evans of Oval Ways)
The New Saints announced the arrival of attacking midfielder Leo Smith, signing on a two-year contract from fellow Cymru Premier club, Caernarfon Town.
Smith, 22, certainly made an impression during his season and a half with the Cofis, scoring five times in 19 Cymru Premier appearances last season, reportedly attracting interest from the Football League.
The playmaker’s form for Caernarfon also caught the eye of Wales C manager Mark Jones, who selected him in his 20-man squad to face England C in March, before the season’s curtailment forced the international fixture to be cancelled.
Upon signing for the Saints, who finished runners-up to Connah’s Quay Nomads last season, Smith said, “I am delighted to sign for TNS. I feel it is the right place for me to be, to develop further as a player. It’s great to be back full-time again.”
“It’s very clear how strong, consistent and dominant the club has been for many years. I feel the style of play that TNS is known for, will suit me perfectly, and hopefully I can contribute towards what the club is looking to achieve again,” he added.
Manager Scott Ruscoe said: “I’m pleased we have added Leo to our squad; he’s an energetic player, who has lots of good attributes, and he’s very comfortable in possession.
“He will fit in well. He has a drive about him and has had an excellent season at Caernarfon.”
Cymru Premier fans may see the signing of Leo Smith as a direct replacement for Aeron Edwards, who signed for newly-crowned champions Connah’s Quay Nomads in May.
Edwards was hugely successful during his time with the Saints, winning nine Cymru Premier titles, four Welsh Cups and five Nathaniel MG Cups.
We take a look at the contributing factors that could see Leo Smith fill the void left by Aeron Edwards’ departure.
Ruscoe’s recruitment
Since Scott Ruscoe was named The New Saints’ first-team manager on a permanent basis in July 2017, the average age of the Saints’ permanent signings is 22.4.
Ruscoe’s emphasis in the transfer market has been on talented young players, with signings like Keston Davies, Ryan Harrington and Louis Robles, who are all 23 or under.
Leo Smith, at 22 years of age, fits perfectly with the profile of player that Scott Ruscoe has targeted during his managerial tenure at Park Hall.
Experience
Despite in the early years of his career, Smith has plenty of experience, having made his Wrexham debut at 18 years-old in a National League win over Bromley.
The midfielder went on to make 27 appearances for the Dragons, earning the club’s Young Player of the Season at the end of the 2016-2017 season.
The added experience Leo Smith has gained during loan spells at Llandudno and Caernarfon Town, along with his permanent spell with the Cofis means the playmaker is no stranger to the Cymru Premier.
Style of play
The New Saints’ playing style is also a contributing factor in Smith’s signing, as he told the club’s website that the way the Saints play “suits me perfectly”.
Ruscoe’s side are recognised by Cymru Premier fans by their fluid attack. The Saints have been the league’s top scorers in every campaign since the 2009-2010 season, when Llanelli recorded ten greater, despite finishing second.
During Leo Smith’s time at Caernarfon Town, the midfielder showed creativity and ability to link up with others, notably with the “Cofi Messi” Darren Thomas, as the pair scored twelve goals between them in the Cymru Premier last season.
Having swapped the Oval for Park Hall, Smith may now be linking up with the likes of Ryan Brobbel, Jamie Mullan, Louis Robles, Dean Ebbe, Kurtis Byrne, Adrian Cieslewicz and Greg Draper, with whom he could form a strong attacking force next season.
Goal-scoring
During Aeron Edwards’ eleven seasons for The New Saints, the midfielder had an average of 5.3 goals per Cymru Premier campaign and had a stand-out season in 2018-2019 when he netted twelve times.
Leo Smith’s first full season in the Cymru Premier with the Cofis resulted in six goals for the midfielder, in line with the number of goals Aeron Edwards was contributing to the Saints during his time with the club.
Although Edwards’ departure will be a miss to Scott Ruscoe’s side, the signing of Leo Smith fits into the profile of player the Saints have recruited in recent seasons, along with the club’s fluid attacking style.
The former Cofis’ playmaker showed promise during his time at the Oval, which will stand him in good stead to impress at Park Hall.
(Featured Image: Paul Evans of Oval Ways)
