Cardiff City fans will have expressed both delight and relief as their team celebrated an emphatic victory at the weekend, signaling the possibility of some brighter times ahead after an extremely difficult start to the season. It may well have also had additional significance that the main perpetrator in the team’s dominance of the opposition was midfielder Rubin Colwill (2002), one those Bluebirds’ faithful followers regard as their own. His initial exposure to first team duties in 2021 was accompanied by much praise for the qualities he exhibited, along with an expectation that he would soon establish himself as a dominant force in the side. An assertion was further reinforced by his inclusion in the Wales senior squad within weeks of his debut club level. It has been far from the obvious path once predicted for Rubin, as a succession of managers at the club have acknowledged his undoubted talent and yet cautioned that more was required before he could secure constant selection. An added complication of injury issues, many attributed to his still growing body, have also been a hampering distraction along the way. There is no doubt that though he has had to experience these peaks and troughs in his career so far, a constant reflection from those who have witnessed his contribution to matches is an admiration for his abundant qualities. Over this period has also emerged an observation for him to find a means to produce what are described as potential game changing forays on a more consistent basis, thereby becoming a more influential figure in the game when participating. Certainly, fulfilling those requirements in the match, Rubin demonstrated he is by no means shying away from the challenge laid before him and hopefully it will pave the way for a successful season for both club and player. He produced another good performance as Cardiff continued their winning run in midweek.

Another player who received plenty of accolades from the fans was Reading midfielder Charlie Savage (2003), whose goal and assist helped provide the team with a comfortable margin of victory as well as gaining a notable rating for his overall contribution in the game. Winger Jerae Jones (2007) is in his second season as a scholar at Reading and began playing for their U-18’s team when associated as a schoolboy in the 2022/23 season. He played in the majority of the team’s games last season and continues to do so during the early part of this season. He has also made a couple of substitute appearances for their U-21 team. Jerae has not had any involvement with Wales teams so far and all the correct credentials would need to be confirmed to complete the eligibility requirements
    
Central defender George Nevett (2006) made his first team debut for Rochdale in a League Two game not long after his sixteenth birthday at the end of the 2022/23 season. He was then a regular in the team that played in the National League last season. Identified by Peterborough United as a player who could be a valuable addition to their squad, they negotiated his transfer between the two clubs in the summer. Unfortunately, an injury prevented George from being available as the season began, but since his recovery, he has made numerous bench appearances as well being used as a substitute three times. It is quite a step up in quality between the National League and League One, but George seems to be adapting well to the new demands, and the manager is on record professing his anticipation of using him with much greater frequency in the coming months. An update is that George received a starting assignment in the midweek match and was credited with an excellent rating when helping the team to a good win. Last season George played for the Wales U-19 team and he remains eligible to do so again this season. Since his move to join the Posh, George has become acquainted with another player with a Wales eligibility qualification. Forward Joe Davies (2007) is a second year scholar at the club and played regularly for the U-18 team last season and has been a constant selection for them so far in this one. He was the second top scorer for the team last season and on a similar trend this time around. The coaching staff have also determined that Joe is also ready to be tested at the next level of development by selecting him in the squad for their U-21 team, contributing two goals in the six games he has appeared in. Joe was included in the group assembled as the U-16’s training camp squad at the start of last season.
    
Defender Charlie Walker-Smith (2007) joined the Crystal Palace academy as a thirteen year old and has progressed impressively, attaining the status of becoming a scholar at the club at the start of this season. Once he had celebrated his seventeenth birthday last month, management had no hesitation in offering him a professional contract. We can therefore offer our congratulations to him for having accepted and duly signed the relevant paperwork as he moves onto the next step in his career. A regular starter in the U-18 team this season, he became familiar with the demands of the competition playing in a number of games for them last season. Charlie initially played for a Wales team when appearing for the U-15’s and has continued doing so in the subsequent age groups including performing for the U-18 team during the September international break. Another regular starter for the Palace U-18’s this season is goalkeeper Marcus Hill (2006), a potential candidate for Wales teams. A second year scholar, he also made a couple starts for the team last season along with other instances of bench duties. An examination and verification of the necessary credentials are required for confirmation of eligibility. Returning to Charlie, his name was recently included on a list published by a national newspaper which presented an article selecting the best rated first year scholar at each Premier League club. Nottingham Forest forward Isaac Davies (2007), another recipient of a full contract as mentioned a couple of weeks ago, was also included on the list. A third player with Wales connections, Tottenham Hotspurs forward George Feeney (2008) was referenced. George played for the Wales U-16 team last season as well as doing so for the U-17’s last month. Born in Northern Ireland and affiliated with Glentoran before his move to Spurs in the spring of this year, according to the latest news, he has decided to represent his home nation in future. As has happened on previous occasions, his switch of allegiance will be accompanied by the best wishes of all at the Welsh Football Association.

[ photo embedded from FAW cymru ]