The 2021/22 Cymru Premier season is almost upon us, we look at five players that are expected to have a good campaign.
Declan McManus
The Scotsman will be coming to The New Saints under a lot of pressure following his record-breaking transfer from Dunfermline, however, if his exploits in Europe are anything to go by, Anthony Limbrick might have found a real gem in the striker.
McManus scored a fantastic hat-trick in the UEFA Europe Conference League against Viktoria Plzen and has impressed so far during his time at Park Hall. If The New Saints are to regain the JD Cymru Premier, McManus’ goals will be a vital part of that and the striker will certainly be an exciting watch this season.
Corey Shephard
Even if Haverfordwest did end last season with a bit of a whimper, 23-year-old Shephard more often than not caught the eye for Wayne Jones’ side. A dynamic midfielder who’s tidy on the ball and has a great passing range and is well known for his ability from long range, one of the highlights of last season was the goal he scored from the halfway line at Newtown.
If Haverfordwest are to crack the top six, the former Cambrian and Clydach man will be vital in their efforts, and with the likes of Henry Jones, Dylan Rees, and Jack Wilson, the ex-County academy midfielder will have no trouble finding players to be on the end of his usual defence-splitting passes.
Sion Bradley
During the goings-ins and goings out at The Oval, Huw Griffiths will be delighted that Sion Bradley was one of the players who has committed his future to the club. An exciting winger with plenty of pace and trickery, Caernarfon beat the odds again last season to make the top six and narrowly missed out on European football.
The former Porthmadog man is always a willing runner and gives his all in each game. Bradley can make goals and score them, and with Jake Bickerstaff returning to Wrexham after his loan spell, they’ll be more of an onus on Bradley to contribute to the scoresheet this season and that could make it an exciting season for him.
Leo Smith
Some fantastic European performances have seen him cement his place in Anthony Limbrick’s side, and if those performances are anything to go by, Smith is in for a great season. The midfielder had a disappointing season by his own standards last time out and will be chomping at the bit to make up this term.
A player who can do it all, from passing to dribbling to scoring worldies, and if his form continues who knows if a football league club comes calling? If he continues his recent form for Limbrick’s side, it will be no surprise if they once again get their hands on the JD Cymru Premier title.
David Edwards
The high-profile signing of the Summer for the JD Cymru Premier, the former Wales International will bring bags of experience to Colin Caton’s and if they are to make a push for the title, that experience will be invaluable for The Lakesiders.
Edwards will also bring an excellent level of quality to the Bala squad and as a player who has seen it all at club and international level, the former Wolves man could prove to be a real coup for the JD Cymru Premier and for Colin Caton.
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