Ffion Morgan: “I think it’s the most confident I’ve been as a player”
Ffion Morgan of Wales warms up during the second half. Wales v France in a FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier at Parc y Scarlets on the 8th April 2022 Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Ask Ffion Morgan about how she feels about her football this season and you’ll be greeted with a wide smile. That response should come as no surprise. The Bristol City winger is in the midst of the best run of her career and Gemma Grainger has rewarded her with an increased role in the Wales team.
In the Championship this season, Morgan has been on fire. In just seven games she has almost matched her tally of goal involvements from last season. With two goals and two assists to her name, her importance to Lauren Smith’s promotion-chasing Robins side grows every game.
Take a deeper look into her numbers and you’ll see the wider picture of her attacking importance at the Championship side. Her 9.7 key passes per 90 and 7.6 shot assists per 90 are the highest in the league.
“I think it’s the most confident I’ve been as a player,” Morgan tells Y Clwb Pel-Droed reflecting on her season so far. “Hopefully, we will have a good season, we are on a great run at the moment, we are unbeaten so I’m really enjoying club [football].”
During the last campaign, which saw Wales narrowly miss out on qualification for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 22-year-old was twice brought on by Gemma Grainger to change the game. It saw the Wales boss buck her trend of late changes, by bringing Morgan into the fray at increasingly earlier moments in the game.
“I think the last Wales camp was really good for me personally. Getting that game time and taking it back into club [football] where I’ve been flying. It’s been really exciting.
“Hopefully, I can be used more here with Wales and show people what I can do when I get on the ball. I’m really enjoying my football at the moment. Confidence is huge as a forward so hopefully, I can get more goals when I go back to club.”
During the early stages of her club career, Morgan was often used in more defensive positions. Even during the early stages of last season, she was still being deployed as a full-back. The start of 2022 marked a turning point for Morgan as Bristol City boss Smith began to play her in more attacking roles, similar to where she plays for Wales.
It’s clear to see that she is now bearing the fruits of her increased game time in the final third, something which hasn’t gone unnoticed by her international teammates. Rhiannon Roberts was full of praise towards Morgan’s growth as a player and is unsurprised that her role in the squad continues to grow.
“She’s a fantastic player and, she’s been around us for a long time now, but she’s really kicked on in the last few years. We’ve seen a completely different person and a different player, and she’s improved so much”
Morgan attributes her improvement to her increased confidence when she steps out onto the field which has been instilled in her by the people she is surrounded by every day. “As a forward confidence is huge,” Morgan says. “I’ve got coaches around me who believe in me and trust in me to play the way that I’m good at, using my pace. I’ve been using that and working on that and I’m getting rewarded.”
Morgan isn’t the only player starring at Bristol City to have caught the eye of Grainger this season. Ella Powell hasn’t missed a single one of Barclays Championship leaders Bristol City’s games this season. Her performances at both left and right-wingback haven’t gone unnoticed and following Josie Green and Ceri Holland’s withdrawals from the squad, Powell has been recalled into the senior Wales set-up.
Powell’s last game for Wales came as an 18-year-old back in 2018 and Morgan is excited for her long-time friend and housemate to be back amongst the fold at Wales. “Me and El have been in the set-up since we were 15, so I’ve known Ella for years and having her at Bristol is lovely.
“Having her here is a bit strange because I’m like ‘oh my gosh’ this feels a bit like club, especially with the other Bristol girls being here as well. But it’s really lovely and I’m happy for her to have the opportunity to be here as well.”
