I’m so removed from being an knowledgeable on the Welsh recreation that I couldn’t, in good consience, write a lot in regards to the New Saints, who’re Fiorentina’s first Convention League opponent this season. I can say that they’ve completed 1st or 2nd within the Cymru Premier League for the previous 15 years and received a truckload of trophies, however past that, I’m firing blanks. Fortunately, Welsh web site Y Clwb Pêl-Droed reached out to begin a dialog.
Viola Nation: I received’t ask you to supply a full historical past of the New Saints, provided that it’s an previous membership with a trophy cupboard full to the bursting. I’ll ask, although, for a few enjoyable tidbits from TNS’ previous. Who’s the best participant, say, or what’s the best achievement? What’s the goofiest factor that’s occurred prior to now few years?
Y Clwb Pêl-Droed: I’d say Greg Draper’s most likely their finest participant as he’s their all-time high scorer. He solely retired from the primary workforce a few years in the past, however final season he managed their Ladies’s workforce, and this 12 months he’s across the academy and first-team set-up.
I’d say qualifying for Europe this season is their greatest achievement. It’s one thing eluded Welsh golf equipment for the reason that formation of the Champions League, and developing towards a facet which was the runners-up of the competitors two years on the spin is their greatest recreation of their historical past.
As for goofiest, I believe it was both the 2000s or 2010s that Jeff Stelling noticed a TNS rating are available. He stated ‘They’ll be dancing on the streets of Complete Community Options this night. It was as a result of that they had re-branded after a neighborhood pc firm paid £250,000 for the privilege. It was the primary time a membership within the UK had renamed itself after its sponsors identify solely.
VN: For a membership that’s been winner or runner up within the league for 15 straight seasons, issues look a bit rocky proper now. TNS is in fifth, albeit with a number of video games in hand. Is the place within the desk a superb indicator of the place this workforce’s at, or is the league-best objective distinction the true barometer?
YCPD: I’d say it’s only a case of them having video games in hand over a number of golf equipment due to their run in Europe. There have been a number of shock ends in current weeks. Penybont had by no means crushed them earlier than, and Bala City had by no means received at TNS’ floor, however these data ended. They responded in superb style with a thumping win at Newtown, however there are some vulnerabilities. I’d say the second. They’re the one full-time workforce within the league and so they’re able to placing double figures on most groups on their finest day.
VN: A workforce whose fullbacks put on numbers 7 and 10 looks like it must be very attack-minded. Is that normally how the New Saints play? Will they modify something for this recreation or keep on with the standard plan?
YCPD: Their fashion of play will drastically change towards Fiorentina. They’re used to having their very own method towards groups in Wales. Even when a facet begins nicely and will get an early objective, you possibly can depend on TNS to come back again, and even put three or 4 on them within the latter phases of the sport. TNS can’t be assault minded towards Fiorentina although, and we count on they’ll line up defensively. Possibly they’ll get a bit fortunate on the counter-attack, however apart from that, they’ll have quite a lot of our bodies behind the ball for this one. Cymru Premier pitches are fairly slender, and many of the league have synthetic surfaces, and so the large change in floor, and the dimensions of the pitch will have an effect.
VN: Any specific strengths within the facet? Any specific weaknesses? Who ought to Fiorentina preserve a detailed eye on?
YCPD: We’d have stated Brad Younger, however on the finish of August, he left to affix a Saudi Professional League membership for a league document charge of round £200,000. He doesn’t all the time play, and can most likely be a substitute, however Sion Bradley received the Participant of the 12 months award for the league final 12 months, and I’d say he’s probably the most gifted gamers within the workforce. Ryan Brobbel is a little bit of a tough participant, however he’s solely simply getting back from harm. Adam Wilson is on mortgage from Bradford Metropolis, and is one other participant which may trigger some issues along with his tempo.
Picture by Nigel French/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs
VN: TNS has performed in San Marino however by no means in Italy. What’s the sensation among the many supporters in regards to the journey? We’ve seen some fairly poorly behaved followers go by means of Florence prior to now few years; do you count on something to kick off forward of the sport?
YCPD: Completely not. TNS’ dwelling floor has a child’s play space with a ball pit, which sums them up as a family-friendly membership. Regardless of the significance of the sport, I can’t see 1,000s going, however quite a lot of those that do make the journey will both not take into account TNS their principal membership and will probably be going for the expertise, or can have some affiliation with the membership, whether or not they’re a member of the family or pal.
VN: Let’s wrap up with some predictions. What do you assume the ultimate scoreline will probably be, who (if anybody) will get the objectives, and what’s the general sample of the sport?
YCPD: Sadly I can solely see an enormous rating line right here. TNS’ have misplaced closely to the likes of Ludogorets prior to now, and Fiorentina are a degree above. If TNS can preserve it to about three or 4 that might be a hit. Fiorentina will dominate from minute one, and TNS should be on the highest of their defensive recreation if they’re to get something.
Thanks once more to the superb of us at Y Clwb Pêl-Droed for taking the time to offer us some background on TNS. You may learn their wide-ranging protection on their web site or observe on Twitter. The opposite half of our dialog is on the market right here.