Former Wrexham, Swansea and Preston striker Lee Trundle spoke to us at BoyleSports about all things Welsh football.
Trundle, who made over 90 appearances for Wrexham and 146 appearances for Swansea, has given us his insight into what the future holds for these two giants of Welsh football.
Marshall and Mubama perfect for Swansea?
I think players like Callum Marshall, Divin Mubama, and other young forwards would be perfect for Swansea.
Swansea haven't spent a huge amount of money over the years, but the success they've had has been through the use of smart loan deals. Steve Cooper brought in Morgan Gibbs-White, Rhian Brewster, Conor Gallagher, and Marc Guehi. They've all gone on to establish themselves in the Premier League.
Cooper managed these players at England U17 level and won the U17 World Cup with them before bringing them to Swansea. I think that's the way forward in football as most clubs don't have a fortune to spend.
Championship players will cost you at least £10 million, and a lot of clubs in the league don't have that kind of budget. I think bringing in young Premier League starlets is the way forward as it benefits both sides.
A young player could not be getting any games in the Premier League but giving him the chance to impress in the Championship will help them put a valuation on them. It helps developing players, too, and I think this is the way forward.
Can Wrexham beat Blackburn?
It's tough to predict the FA Cup these days as you can never be sure which team will get put out!
I don't think it'll be a major shock if Wrexham go to Ewood Park and win! Blackburn will want to get through to the next round and that's why I think they'll field a strong side.
Wrexham managed to beat Shrewsbury in the previous round, and the Blackburn game will provide the players with a chance to test themselves against Championship opposition. I think Wrexham can get a result, and I hope they do. I'm not just saying that because they're my former club - I say that because I think they have every chance.
You can check out the latest odds for Blackburn v Wrexham courtesy of BoyleSports’ football betting odds.
Wrexham comfortably beat Salford
Wrexham are second in the National League, whereas Salford currently sit 20th. I think Salford were in a similar situation a few years ago with the popular documentary and famous owners. There was a buzz around the club, but I think it's fizzled out over the past couple of seasons and it's evident in the style of play and their instability with managers.
I think Wrexham will get a comfortable win against Salford. The latter club are struggling, whilst Wrexham have far more quality. I think they'll walk away with the three points.
Wrexham owners can learn from Salford mistakes
I don't think you can knock Salford too much as their owners have done a brilliant job. They were all ex-Man United players and it's been an unbelievable project, even if it has slowed down a bit over the last couple of years.
I can't see Wrexham's project slowing down. Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds generate so much coverage and they've brought in a wider audience. The Salford owners brought in outside interest, too, but from the demographic who were already football fans. I'm from Liverpool, and I even wanted Salford to do well as it's a great story!
I think the Salford story was a good one, but Wrexham bring in a much bigger audience. I don't think it'll slow down anytime soon, and let's not forget that Wrexham are also doing the business on the pitch, which is where it counts. I can see the club getting promoted again and kicking on from there.
I'd imagine Rob and Ryan will be leaning on people with lots of experience in football to prevent them from making any big mistakes. I can't knock what they're doing - they've been brilliant.
We recently did a piece on famous football owners, check it outhere!
Wrexham could win League Two
I would like to see Wrexham win League Two this season, but Stockport are a very strong side in their own right. I've seen them play a few times this season, and they're a good team.
I think Wrexham will be quite happy where they are at the moment. They've had plenty of seasons where they've been competing at the top of the table and they'll be aware of the pressure that comes with that.
Wrexham will be looking behind them and noticing how far back the team in fourth are. There are three automatic promotion spots in League Two and as long as you stay there, you'll be ok - especially in your first season back in the Football League.
Most fans would have gladly taken an automatic promotion at the start of the season, even if it wasn't in first place.
I'd predict that Wrexham will really push for a chance to finish first once the finish line is in sight. For now, however, I think they'll keep taking each game as it comes and try to maintain this position.
Any team who finds themselves in the automatic spots in their first season back is doing a great job, no matter what their finances are.
I think Phil Parkinson is doing a great job there.
Wrexham are 5/2 to win League Two according to the latest football odds at BoyleSports.
Championship players will be looking to join Wrexham in the summer
There were reports of him being linked to Newcastle before joining Wrexham! I know the club was close to his heart, but Ryan and Rob's presence may have been instrumental in him joining the club. Foster does, of course, love the club as that's where he started, but I can understand if he got caught up in the media whirlwind. He went on to save a crucial penalty to help get them promoted!
I think other players will be tempted to drop down as Wrexham aren't a club who'll be happy to stay in League One. Wrexham want to grow and play Premier League football someday, and I'm sure plenty of players will be attracted to that.
Wrexham are headed to the Premier League - it’s inevitable
Everything about Wrexham indicates that they're setting up to play Premier League football - the owners have said it themselves.
I've seen it with Swansea and I was a part of that journey who not only got to the Premier League but also won the League Cup and attained Europa League football! If you had said that 15 years ago, nobody would have believed you and you would have been silly to even say it! That's the beauty of football.
Wrexham have a strong backing and they know how to grow their brand. They've had Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell, and other actors in attendance, and they're showing the club off as a potential investment. I think that's where they'll move as they continue to climb. There's no reason why they can't go into the Premier League.
I’d love to see Swansea or Rhyl be taken over by Hollywood owners
Swansea will always be my first choice for a Wrexham-style takeover as I want them to be back in the Premier League.
I'd also like to see Rhyl FC come back. They were a massive club in the Welsh Premier League, and they had financial troubles and found themselves out of business. I'd like to see someone invest in the club and bring them back to where they were. It's a club with a lot of history, and it's sad to see them in the state they're in.
Swansea vs Bournemouth Verdict
I think the Bournemouth game will be a tough one for Swansea. They've already played the Cherries in the League Cup, losing 3-2 after taking an early lead.
Swansea will be aware of Bournemouth's quality. I think the gulf between the Championship and the Premier League continues to get bigger, as is evidenced by how the promoted clubs are doing this season.
Bournemouth's substitutions were pivotal in the League Cup game against Swansea. That's the only problem I can foresee ahead of the upcoming game. I think they'd have a chance at home, but it's a different story away.
It's a chance for Luke Williams to try things out and embed his ideas in the players. I'm taking it as a free hit!
Nobody knows what will happen in the FA Cup, but I think it'll be a tough one for Swansea, especially when you consider that Bournemouth will be trying to avenge their 4-0 loss to Liverpool. They'll want to put it right, and it's probably the worst time to play them!
Play-offs for Preston will be tough
I think it'll be tough for Preston to reach the playoff spots this season. However, it's easy to go on a run in the Championship and the regular nature of the games makes it easy to build momentum and pick up points.
I don't think the Championship is ever set in stone. Anything can happen, even on the last day of the season!
Preston have West Brom, Coventry, Hull, Watford, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough above them at the moment, though not in that exact order. There are a lot of big teams fighting for the playoff places, and I think it may be too much of a tall order for Preston this season.
I want Preston to be in there as they're a very big club and Ryan Lowe is doing a very good job. I'd like to see them push on and fight for those spots.
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