Crossing the Border: The New Saints Career Mode

I've always found it interesting how some Welsh sides play in the English pyramid, whilst others do not. I really liked this read, it really sums up modern football with money and success bringing the fear of alienating the fans. Kudos for this beginning, looking forward to see more.

I have a certain curiosity for fans of - let's say - Man City. Could also be other clubs, I suppose. But let's say one has been a fan for a long time. Then comes money and transforms the club completely, like you've also described with this Welsh border club. Finally the fans get to experience success. But at what cost? Can one really say that it's still the same club? I really hate that football has come to this...

PRE-SEASON UPDATE: Craig Harrison prepares squad for league start in pre-season tournament

New Saints' boss Craig Harrison is using pre-season games to run the rule over his playing squad ahead of the club's inaugural Football League campaign. However, things haven't got off to the smoothest start.

Firstly, the team travelled to Spain to visit Segunda Division side SD Huesca, only to fall to a 2-0 defeat. This wasn't a concerning result for Harrison necessarily, given the gulf in quality between the two teams and the amount of new players TNS had playing together for the first time.

Next up was a tour of Scotland and two games against Scottish Premiership opposition. This began with a 3-0 defeat to Dundee United, a sobering loss for TNS with the eve of the season drawing near. In truth, Harrison's team was never really in the game.

The next leg of the Scotland tour was more encouraging, with TNS only narrowly defeated by St. Mirren in an entertaining game that finished 3-2. Chris Draper scored both goals, confirming his starting spot for the season ahead, but Saints' defensive frailty will be causing some concern to Craig Harrison.

With the transfer window still open, TNS may wish to strengthen before the deadline. Chairman Mike Harris has made £750,000 available for new transfers (including signing-on fees), which may present difficulties in terms of securing top talent in the fee-paying market. Harrison may have to look toward free agents and trialists instead.

Season 24/25

August Review: Saints get off to an encouraging start at Park Hall

Saturday 10 August

The New Saints 1 - 0 Cheltenham Town (EFL League Two)

⚽ Draper

⭐ Bradley

Despite concerns over pre-season form, TNS got off to a winning start at Park Hall, with Chris Draper scoring a sensational winner in the first half, arrowing a shot into the top right corner from just inside the box. However, the real star of the game was goalkeeper William Bradley, who single handedly earned TNS three points with a succession of brilliant saves. Cheltenham could not get the ball past him, despite their best efforts.

Tuesday 13 August

The New Saints 1 - 1 Crewe Alexandra, 3-4 on Penalties (Carabao Cup R1)

⚽ Thomas

⭐ Thomas

After the jubilation of an opening day win at home, the Park Hall faithful came crashing down to earth after being dumped out of the Carabao Cup. Harrison shuffled the pack for this fixture, but things unravelled quickly for TNS when Crewe's Jack Powell followed up on the rebound of a good strike well saved, but unfortunately parried, by William Bradley. TNS secured a first half equaliser through striker Jaxon Thomas, who pounced on some suspect defending by Crewe to pinch the ball in the box and level things up. The second half was a fairly tense affair, with neither team looking to make an error. With no extra time to be played in this competition, the teams went straight to penalties. In the end, misses from captain Lloyd Jenkins and 17-year old striker Logan Pickering sealed Saints' fate.

Saturday 17 August

The New Saints 3 - 1 Chesterfield (EFL League Two)

⚽ Bowman 2, Thomas

⭐ Bowman

In a rare case of two straight home games to start the season, TNS capitalised with a superb victory over an impressively mounted Chesterfield side. The match got off to a similar start as the midweek exit from the cup, with Liam Mandeville following up on an almost identical rebound to slot the opening goal. This sparked a determined Saints team back into life, as they went on to dominate the rest of the game. Bowman got the equaliser before half-time, bundling it home awkwardly after an initial save. If the result was in doubt at half time, things soon swung Saints' way, with Jaxon Thomas thumping home a top corner finish to finish a powerful run into the box. Chesterfield threw men forward to pursue their own equaliser, which TNS ultimately punished late in the game when substitute Reuben Andrews got free and tucked the ball back to Bowman, who knocked in a sitter for his brace.

Saturday 24 August

Grimsby Town 0 - 1 The New Saints (EFL League Two)

⚽ Bowman

⭐ Bradley

After three consecutive games at home to start the season, TNS finally got on the road, arriving at Blundell Park in Cleethorpes for their first away match of the season. Grimsby will not be able to believe they lost this one, as it was one way traffic for most of the game. Despite peppering the Saints' goal, William Bradley put in a tremendous performance, along with the entire back line, to keep The Mariners at bay (no pun intended). In the end, the difference was an Ezra Bowman goal on the break in one of the few opportunities TNS had all afternoon. Three straight league wins to open the season tasted all the sweeter after getting a result here.

Saturday 31 August

The New Saints 0 - 1 Notts County (EFL League Two)

⭐ Lloyd Jenkins

The run had to end at some point, but Saints will be disappointed to come away with a loss in their final game of the month. While TNS defended admirably throughout the contest, with Lloyd Jenkins standing out in particular, a late goal from Jevani Brown, a menace to Saints all game, was enough to seal three points for the much-fancied Notts County, who also came into the weekend unbeaten. TNS had some good opportunities throughout the game, but squandered chances and a concerning amount of fatigue hindering the defence (Jenkins had to come off at 70 minutes due to pure exhaustion) left Craig Harrison in no doubt that further reinforcements will be needed before the deadline passes. 

The State of Play

After one month and four games in the league, The New Saints find themselves fifth in League Two, occupying one of the coveted play-off positions. Harrison and his team are not getting ahead of themselves after a strong start, and will continue to take each game as it comes. The cup exit was probably the biggest disappointment, but a long run in the competition was probably unlikely. Still, playing a team in your division at home and failing to advance to the next round is nothing if not an opportunity missed. September will be a challenging month, with trips to MK Dons and recently relegated Port Vale amongst the fixtures.

TRANSFER UPDATE: TNS make four new signings, and release players, before the deadline

After much deliberation, and on the evidence of the opening few games, Craig Harrison, did enter the market before the deadline slammed shut (on Monday 2 September). 

Ryan Davies (16 | Goalkeeper | Free Agent | Free)

Adding to the team's goalkeeper ranks and filling the void left by outgoing Tyrell Francis, who agreed to a mutual contract termination, Ryan Davies is an exciting young prospect from Wales, who is expected to give William Bradley serious competition for the starting position. Although he is only 16, Davies has impressed the club in trial matches and is considered a real discovery by the club. Perhaps unsurprisingly, TNS had to pay a £100,000 signing-on fee to secure his signature.

Lucas Miller (17 | Centre Back | Free Agent | Free)

Another exciting prospect, with experience in the youth ranks of at least two Scottish Premiership teams, Lucas Miller will provide great competition and additional capacity in the centre back position, previously a weakness for the club. His talent, like Davies, will need to be nurtured, but don't be surprised to see Miller starting alongside captain Lloyd Jenkins before long. A signing-on fee of £130,000 was paid.

Elijah Just (24 | Right Winger | Free Agent | Free)

With the international pedigree of 30 caps for New Zealand, exciting winger Elijah Just is a surefire starter, especially with the anonymous performances of Emmanuel Ward so far. Just has most recently been playing for AC Horsens in the Danish second division, which is probably comparable (if not slightly weaker) than League Two football. He is still young though and should add a lot of pace and energy to TNS. A signing on fee of £170,000, reflective of his international status, was happily paid.

Össur Sigurðsson (16 | Striker | Free Agent | Free)

At a towering 6 foot and 1 inch, not short at all for a 16 year-old, this Icelandic target man is a talent to be nurtured and will likely be introduced slowly by Craig Harrison. While his pedigree at this level is not certain (you could say he is a bit of a punt), the namesake of Gylfi will at least provide some additional competition up front in the short term. A signing-on fee of £50,000 was paid as part of the deal.

Releases

To free up some space on the wage bill and allow them to pursue game time elsewhere, TNS also came to terms with the release of goalkeeper Tyrell Francis, defensive midfielder Harley Warren, and right midfielder Sean Bryant. Each player was informed that their first team opportunities would be extremely limited, and with no active suitors, agreements were made to terminate their contracts. The club has wished them all the best in their future endeavours.

INJURY UPDATE: Jason Parr out until December

Craig Harrison has confirmed that right back Jason Parr suffered a ligament injury in his foot during the game against Notts County. After coming off at half-time, Parr was assessed to reveal the extent of the injury, and we now know that he's expected to be out for about three months. Llewyn Cooper or Himourana Koffi (who came on to replace Parr against Notts County) are expected to deputise in Parr's absence.

Interesting career and fantastic start. I was excited with the arrival of creat a club but was quickly let down by it. Haven't really looked at it since. Do we still have the same restrictions getting a generic squad etc?

Good start mate. Unfortunate defeat in Carabao Cup, but I wouldn't worry too much about that, keeping focus on the league and perhaps the EFL Trophy.

Unlucky with the 3 months injury to your starting right back. The replacement will get a chance to prove himself now.

Interesting approach on the transfer market. 4 free transfers seems like something a League Two club would do. But with 16 and 17 years of age, this club is certainly building for the future. Good luck.

Season 24/25

September Review: Moments of madness lead to hilarious goals

Saturday 7 September

Milton Keynes Dons 2 - 2 The New Saints (EFL League Two)

⚽ Thomas, Pickering

⭐ Draper

Travelling to one of the biggest (and emptiest) stadiums in the league, things couldn't have got off to a better start for TNS as they took the lead in less than five minutes, with Jaxon Thomas playing through his strike partner Ezra Bowman, who forced a parry that Thomas gobbled up on the rebound. From there though the first half became a hard slog for Saints, who conceded twice in just a matter of minutes; first to Connor Evans, who rounded William Bradley all too easily and slotted home, and second to Jonathan Leko, who took advantage of far too much space in the box to put the Dons ahead. The second half was much more positive, and midway through TNS got their equaliser, with man of the match Chris Draper breaking the defensive line to play the ball across to 17 year-old Logan Pickering, who scored his first senior goal. TNS will be pleased to take a point from a tough game.

Saturday 14 September

The New Saints 2 - 1 Bradford City (EFL League Two)

⚽ Pickering, OG (Diabate)

⭐ Pickering

As TNS returned home for a game against mid-table Bradford City, roles reversed with Andy Cook putting the Bantams ahead early doors, due to some slack defending from Saints. In the end though, TNS were by far the better side throughout the game, and an equaliser came midway through the first half. Logan Pickering, brimming with confidence after scoring his first senior goal, managed to latch onto a through ball and poked home his second in as many games. There was concern before the half time whistle though, as star striker Jaxon Thomas went off with a shoulder injury. In the second half, Saints continued their dominance and made it pay through the first of many bizarre goals for and against Saints in September. After getting clear, Pickering knocked the ball past City's keeper, only for defender Cheick Diabate to carry it over the line when it looked easier to make a clearance. 

Saturday 21 September

Port Vale 2 - 1 The New Saints (EFL League Two)

⚽ Thomas

⭐ O'Connor

In what was probably Saints' weakest performance of the season so far, a first-half double from recently relegated Port Vale proved too much of a mountain to climb for Craig Harrison's team. The first was another comedy goal, with Ruori Paton crashing the ball off the crossbar, only for it to hit debuting goalkeeper Ryan Davies in the face and bounce into the net. That may have been an unfortunate own goal, but Paton managed to get one of his own shortly after, turning in a deep cross when his run wasn't picked up. TNS improved in the second half, with Jaxon Thomas (who passed a late fitness test) getting a consolation late on. It was another freak goal, as his shot was saved, only to bounce back off him over the helpless keeper. In the end though, it wasn't enough.

Saturday 28 September

The New Saints 1 - 1 Doncaster Rovers (EFL League Two)

⚽ Bowman

⭐ Davies

The final game of the month saw TNS welcome Doncaster Rovers to Park Hall, on what was a very soggy evening in Shropshire. It's testament to just how fantastic he was for the rest of the game that Ryan Davies still picked up the man of the match award, after gifting Doncaster the opener with a weak pass that Joe Ironside easily intercepted and tucked into the back of the net. Saints' equaliser also came as the result of a goalkeeping error, with Bowman's header bouncing off the wet turf and looping embrassingly over Rovers' keeper. Elijah Just, who disappointed in his first few games, was causing havoc here, but the score remained even at half time. In the second half, Doncaster were the better side, but Davies put his earlier error behind him, making numerous big saves to secure a point for TNS.

The State of Play

It was a mixed month for TNS, who picked up just one victory across four games, perhaps coming back down to earth after an impressive start. Despite this, they only fell to 6th in League Two, giving fans hope they'll remain contenders for at least a little while longer. The defence certainly struggled throughout the month, but as the starting lineup stabilises and familiarity grows, Harrison will hope his side can shore things up. October is a bumper month with seven games in total to play, including Saints' first foray into the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. This will really test the overall quality of the squad, with rotation all but guaranteed.

CONTRACT UPDATE: Austin Carpenter extends for one more year

The New Saints are pleased to announce that they have come to terms on a one-year contract extension for centre back Austin Carpenter. The defender, who was due to go out of contract in 2025, has committed for another season.