Coleman Had A Dream

Dai and Ruth return for another podcast. This week, after a brief round up of Welsh football news, discussing Bale, Hennessey and Levitt, Ruth gives a touching tribute to Dai Davies who passed away this week. Following on from that we discuss the big topics of the week, including the amount of abuse being given to players, managers and referees alike, and why it seems to be on the rise at the moment. We finish with a difficult discussion about Ryan Giggs, and the footballing arguments to be made around his current situation. We discuss what we would like the FAW to do and recognise the very difficult position they are in. Twitter: @colemans_dream Facebook.com/ColemanHadADream

Dai and Ruth are back again to have their weekly discussion about Welsh football, and any issues which have arisen! This week, Loren Dykes retiring takes the opening portion of the show as we discuss her career, contributions to Welsh football both on and off the field, as well as what the future may hold for Loren. Sticking to the women’s football theme, we also mention Helen Ward’s new club. Following that we discuss the announcement of a friendly for the mens team ahead of Euro 2020, against the Albanians. The FAW announced the game this week as a “send off” for the team, and it will be held at the Cardiff City Stadium on 5th June. The pair then talk through the recently released FAW plans for a return to football for the Welsh League, as well as what constitutes “elite status” in both men and women’s football in Wales. The bulk of the pod is spent talking through the transfer window, the players who have moved with a Welsh angle, as well as the business of Cardiff, Wrexham, Swansea and Newport. Jonny

Dai and Ruth return for another podcast to discuss the issues of the moment - key among them being the retirement of Welsh legend Ashley Williams. Dai and Ruth discuss their favourite moments of the captain fantastic as well as say thank you to a modern great. The issue of Gareth Bale is raised again, and for how much longer he still has a role to play for Wales, as well as how he is being perceived by the Welsh footballing public. There is also a discussion of Wales U21 qualifying draw, plus some thoughts on how the U21 squad could and should be approached in the upcoming campaign. A lot to get stuck into!

Dai and Ruth return to give a roundup of the weekends footballing action for Welsh clubs: Swansea, Newport Wrexham and Cardiff. Swansea's great run and interesting signings, Newport continue in a difficult spot and Wrexham's muddled season. Cardiff take up much of the discussion though, as the sacking of Neil Harris and his subsequent replacement by Mick McCarthy is aired. We take in some views from fans on twitter, from some of Dai's pals and the pair debate what is going on with the Bluebirds. We round up with the sad news that Ruth is giving up her ticket to Rome, but cheer ourselves up with the fact that she's keeping her semi and final ticket, so we'll all be able to meet up back at Wembley for the final. Lovely.

Dai and Ruth are back after their winter break, and discuss a few "bigger picture" Wales issues. As the news broke today with Jayne Ludlow's departure was announced, that opens the pod, before a wider discussion of Women's football following Helen Ward's recent comments. From there the pair discuss game time for our key members of the squad ahead of the March games, and Gareth Bale's future. The issue of the Euro's this summer, and refunds for tickets also is a big talking point. After that, a quick round up of the Welsh clubs wraps up the pod!

Dai and Ruth return with another Coleman Had A Dream podcast, to discuss the draw for the World Cup Qualifiers, against Belgium, Czech Republic, Belarus and Estonia. The pair share their initial thoughts about the draw, and what they think now, having had to process it. They discuss potential trips, and of course the opposition. Has the Nations League made the group have a slightly flat feeling, and does the group ultimately boil down (from a Welsh perspective at least!) to the two games against the Belgians? The Red Devils remarkable recent form gets discussed, as does the possibility of the Czech’s playing in smaller grounds to limit the number of away fans from getting tickets. From there, the Women’s recent win against Belarus and the fallout from their away goals rule disappointment gets an airing too. Most importantly their impact on Welsh football in the wider context gets discussed too. We then finish with a roundup of some of the Welsh clubs recent form - Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham

Dai and Ruth return to discuss the final trio of international matches, in 2020. We run the rule of the friendly draw with the USA, and then the victories of the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Both the competitive games were mightily important for Wales and their victories were key in achieving promotion to League A of the Nations League, but also for all but guaranteeing Wales a playoff place for the 2022 World Cup. Dai and Ruth discuss the wins, the performances and the outcomes as well as the style of play and tactical decisions. There is also a “big picture” conversation about Wales and their performances, plus a thought toward the future, and where Ramsey and Allen fit in when they are fit to do so. We also answer some listener questions and talk about why the pupils in Dai’s school have seen more than they should of his Spotify playlist…..

Dai and Ruth are back with a special guest to discuss the upcoming friendly game against the USA, and the final Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Ahead of the friendly at the Liberty Stadium, Dai and Ruth are joined by Chris Reid - a friend of both who is a long time USA fan and avid traveling supporter. Chris talks through the US squad, the style of play and the position the side are in at the moment. Given this is the American's first game since February, this is an important one for them. After that Dai and Ruth look ahead to the double header, discuss our current managerial issues, why there is only one striker in the squad, the permutations regarding promotion, World Cup playoff positions and more. It's an in depth preview of these three games and everything happening around them. We finish with predictions on lineups and results. And as usual, we advise you don't take our betting tips!

Dai and Ruth to discuss the 4-0 victory for the Welsh Women’s side over the Faroe Islands, and the heart-wrenching, and ultimately fruitless game against Norway. It’s an in depth discussion of the two games, and the pair talk through the lineups, tactics and more. Given its importance, the focus of the pod is mainly on the Norway game and the tactics around it. Were we too defensive? Do the statistics tell a different story to how the game panned out? What did we deserve from this game? Would Jayne Ludlow do things differently if she had her time again? All these questions get answered, all before Dai offers the Welsh team some singing lessons. It isn’t all doom and gloom! There is a brief look at the future, as well as the permutations surrounding the final games of the group, and we end on a positive note. It is far from over! We keep fighting. Please have a listen, share, and let us know what you think.

Dai and Ruth are back to look over and discuss the "big picture” issues which have arisen from the October edition of the Nations League matches. From the games themselves, to the big talking points off the field - we’ve got it covered. Thank you to everyone who has contributed questions to the podcast too - we did our best to answer them all and discuss everything that was raised. From the goalkeeper situation following Wayne Hennessey’s injury, to what our preferred starting XI would be, and should Dylan Levitt be in the squad. Alongside your questions, we discussed the games, the change of formation, and where Welsh football currently finds itself under Ryan Giggs. Has he led us well through his first 19 teams, and are we a team in transition still, whilst performing well and achieving our goals, or are we capable of more? Please do listen, and if you like the pod, share it on social media and with your friends.

Dai and Ruth get together for a chat about the friendly defeat against England and the Nations League draw against Ireland in Dublin.

Dai and Ruth return with an in depth preview of this weeks games. Wales face England in a friendly, and then key games in the Nations League, away to both the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria. The triple header has a lot of talking points. Does the England game matter? How will our opponents play given their first games are playoffs for the Euros? Will we miss Bale? Who will play where? How badly will our predictions fare?! Lots of questions, and in the most part, a lot of answers. The pod is finished with a look at the women's game broadcast on S4C, and some unfortunate views from it. Social media and other issues surrounding both the mens and women's game get aired too. We hope you enjoy it. Up the Welsh.....

After a pulsating and exciting tie for the women’s team in Oslo, Dai and Ruth return to talk through the game, how it leaves us in the bigger picture of the campaign, among other things. Laura O’Sullivan has come under some criticism, and rightly so in Dai’s eyes, although Ruth seems keen to find solutions elsewhere, rather than changing goalkeepers. We discuss whether the lack of goals has been an issue a little bit of late, but overall this is a very positive review of a great performance, and fairly unfortunate outcome for the women’s team. Dai and Ruth also discuss the transfer we have all been hoping for - Gareth Bale going somewhere he is loved. The move to Spurs seems a match made in heaven, but will it work out? We also discuss Aaron Ramsey’s positive start to the season plus the glitzy news of the moment….Will Wrexham be bought by Deadpool?! We discuss the long term implications of the move, and what the news we have at the moment actually means. We finish off by talking about Newport and their

Dai and Ruth are back to discuss Wales’ first two matches since November. Whilst they weren’t exactly classics, they were eventful to say the least! We discuss the games, the style of football, and if we were lucky to beat the Finn’s given their astonishing miss in the second half. We talk about Dylan Levitt and the merit of his inclusion, and should Kieffer Moore look to be less aggressive in certain situations. The Bulgaria match is the next on the agenda, and the poor first half negativity is replaced by some second improvements. Praise for Ampadu, Hal, Jonny and of course our match winner, Neco Williams. Despite the less than glittering football on display, we enjoyed chatting through two important and impressive wins given the circumstances. We hope you enjoy too!

Dai and Ruth are back with a second pod in quick succession, to discuss the upcoming Nations League games for Wales, as the boys in red face Finland and Bulgaria. The pair discuss the potential line ups, the qualities of the opposition, and their recent form. The new drop outs for the squad get an airing as does the fact that Christian Doidge still isn’t included, even as a replacement. Most importantly, Dai and Ruth make their world renowned predictions, and remind you to bet on the exact opposite of their suggestions.

Dai and Ruth return for their first podcast in a while, and this time it is about actual football matches! The nostalgia is over, and we are looking forward rather than behind us. Ryan Giggs announced a 26 man squad for the Nations League games against Finland and Bulgaria today, and we discuss his choices. Why wasn't Doidge included? Should James Chester have got a call up? Does Tyler Roberts deserve his place? All these questions answered and many more of your comments and questions discussed too. All in all, a pleasure to be back recording discussions about football, and no one mentioned the C word.....not that one.

Dai and Ruth return with an interview with former Wales international, and now Atlanta United youth coach. This was recorded during lockdown, so a massive thank you to Jack for his time, honesty, and funny stories! We discuss his career, how he got into football and of course his struggle with injury over the years. He opens up about the impact it had on him personally, and professionally. From a Wales perspective we talk through his time in the red shirt, the different managers he's worked under, some funny stories about John Toshack and how he felt as a Wales fan during Euro 2016. We had to cut things a little short as Jack was trying to look after his baby whilst chatting to us, so hope to get him back on to talk about his career as a coach, both in the UK and in Atlanta. Have a listen, and share the pod.

Coleman Had A Dream is back! We talked through everything which has happened after football restarted again. Will Cardiff or Swansea go up? How glad are Wrexham and Newport fans that the season finished early? What have Merthyr Town been up to whilst football has been away? Look no further, as we answer all these questions for you! We also look through the Wales players who have been in action since the restart and look at how well they are doing. We answer some of your questions and discuss how the Cymru league seasons ended. There is nothing we don't cover. Probably.

Dai and Ruth were fortunate enough to get Dave Edwards to join them for a lockdown chat! The trio talked through Dave's career both for club and country. Dave talks us through life under John Toshack, Gary Speed and the Euros under Chris Coleman. He talks about his goals, his little known injury problem before the Northern Ireland game in Paris and experiencing some games as a fan from the touchline. Finally he talks about life away from football - The Offside Trust and The Little Rascals Foundation. He is a great guy to talk to, and a fascinating guy to listen to. Reminding ourselves of a great summer and some great times was a real joy. We hope you enjoy it too. Thanks again to Dave for his time.

After a few weeks break (mainly as I forgot to post this recording....) Dai and Ruth are back, and are talking through their favourite wide or attacking midfielders. This is purely indulgent at this point, shown most clearly with the inclusion of trumpet playing Peruvian Nolberto Solano. Either way, this is a lot of fun and contains a lot of chat about some of the best midfielders to have ever played the game.