The disappointments of Qatar seem like a lifetime ago. With Welsh football interests now firmly returned to the club game, Swansea City, Cardiff City, Newport County and Wrexham have once again taken centre-stage. But what can these four expect as we approach the business end of the season?

Swansea City

Swansea got their campaign off to an amazing start, winning seven of their first ten league games.

Fans could have been forgiven for whispers of ‘promotion,’ but the Swans failed to register a win between late October and the World Cup, picking up just four points.

Russell Martin’s side failed to re-capture their early-season form over the busy Christmas period, picking up just four points from four games before getting knocked out of the FA Cup, losing out to Bristol City on penalties in their 3^rd Round replay.

Ryan Manning, Joel Piroe, Matt Grimes, and Olivier Ntcham have shone brightest this season and carry a lot of expectations on their shoulders going forward. Joe Allen seems to be turning the clock back, while Oli Cooper and Jay Fulton continue to show signs of progress. They will all be key if Swansea are to make a push for the play-offs.

Cardiff City

Cardiff fell into the drop zone in January and are struggling to string together a decent run of form.

Having failed to register a single victory over the Christmas period, they went on a run of five draws in six games before suffering a heavy defeat to Leeds United in the 3^rd Round of the FA Cup.

The club currently find themselves in a state of flux with a third new manager of the season in Sabri Lamouchi and an unrecognisable squad from last season. The former Nottingham Forest and Ivory Coast head coach will be hoping to bring some stability to the club as he returns to the Championship, with former Bluebird’s favourite Sol Bamba at his side.

It is hoped that new loan signing Sory Kaba from Danish side FC Midjylland, will create a connection with Callum Robinson to provide the goals to help Cardiff rise up the table and stave off relegation.

17 players joined the Bluebirds last summer and the bedding-in time required for such a large number cannot be underestimated. Of that contingent, Robinson, Callum O’Dowda, Cédric Kipré, Romaine Sawyers and Perry Ng have been among the most impressive.

The Irish pair, in particular, Robinson and O’Dowda, have contributed to 15 goals between them so far this year and will be key players as the season comes to a close Fans will hope Welsh internationals, Rubin Colwill and Mark Harris can make a big impact in the second half of the campaign, after travelling to the World Cup with Wales.

The pair only managed ten minutes on the pitch between them in Qatar, through Colwill’s ten-minute cameo off the bench during Wales’ 3-0 loss against England in the final group game.

Qatar would have been tough for the pair, as Wales were knocked out in the group stages, with a solitary point from their draw against the USA to their name.

But it is hoped that spending so much time in camp with the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey should help bring them on to the next level.

Newport County

Since taking over from James Rowberry, Newport’s manager, Graham Coughlan has begun to steer the ship in the right direction.

His appointment got immediate results as the club began picking up some much-needed wins and eking out draws in games that may previously have gotten away from them.

Four draws from four over Christmas did little to improve the situation and Newport find themselves in a precarious position coming into the spring, with a relegation battle looking far more likely than a surge for the play-offs.

Desperate times call for desperate measures and the club’s audacious move at the end of last year to try to sign Swansea City legend, Wilfred Bony shows that Newport need goals.

Omar Bogle is doing his job up front, but he needs more support from those around him. Others need to share the goal-scoring burden.

But where are these goals going to come from? Rodney Parade has had very little to smile about this season and if things are to change course, players like James Waite and Will Evans need to step up.

If Newport can hang on to league football for another year, and Wrexham realise their dream of promotion, then we face the prospect of regular Welsh derby’s at both the Racecourse and Rodney Parade. Box office.

Wrexham

After the disappointment of losing the play-off semi-final and the FA Trophy Final at the end of the 21/22 season, Wrexham have since regrouped and put themselves into a great position once again.

Off the pitch matters such as ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ and the royal visit in December may have taken the headlines, but there are tangible foundations being laid in the background.

The signing of midfielder, Andy Cannon from Championship side, Hull City was seen as a statement of intent from the club. While players such as Anthony Forde have really hit the ground running since joining.

It was a happy Christmas for the club, winning three on the bounce in the league before the heroics of Coventry. The Sky Blues are a settled Championship club and yet Wrexham who currently lie second in the National League went there and dumped them out of the third Round of the FA Cup – proof that this project is working.

Wrexham went twelve games unbeaten from August to October before Notts County ended their run. Phil Parkinson’s men are neck and neck with County at the top of the National League; The leaders will visit the Racecourse in mid-April in what could be a shootout for the title.

But the reds no longer have the distraction of a FA cup run to derail their promotion push, as they twice conceded late winners against Sheffield United, crushing their dreams of hosting Tottenham Hotspur in the fifth round of the FA Cup. A late equaliser from Sheffield’s John Egan took the tie back to Brammall Lane despite Paul Mullin’s best efforts in the first leg.

The Reds once again found themselves 1-0 down in the second half of the replay but Paul Mullin stepped up to equalise from the penalty spot. The striker had the chance to put his side ahead late on but Cymru shot stopper Adam Davies denied the Wrexham striker with an excellent save, denting Wrexham’s chances.

It was a herculean effort from the Reds who currently sit two divisions below the Blades, but late goals from Billy Sharp and Sander Berge sealed the win for the Sheffield side, breaking Wrexham hearts once again.