Cod Almighty | Article

by Various

1 July 2004

Once upon a time, Anthony Williams was a Wales u21 goalkeeper who 'Big Nev', Neville Southall, thought could follow in his stomping footsteps and go all the way (to be Wales' number one, I assume).

Initial impressions? Hesitancy - Williams looked undecisive when it came to collecting the ball, susceptible at crosses - led to some right gaffes, but a very promising shot stopper lurked in that uncertain shell. That kicking - which seemed to be governed by one of those annoying control systems on golf computer games, where if you don't click quite right the ball flies way,way off course - could be worked upon. He'll improve with age. Yet that comment of Southall's was uttered not in the summer of 2004 but six years earlier. Either this lad's development has stalled or he's seriously lacking in confidence after three seasons with Hartlepool.

But given a run of games, he's improved as the season has progressed, working on an understanding with his defenders, making a good fist of some crosses, and settling into some consistent form, eradicating some of those blunders (although I started writing this before his horrific gaffe at Shrewsbury. Still, he wouldn't be a true Town keeper without being prone to the odd shocking moment). And his kicking has become somewhat straighter too. Might this have something to do with the recent craze among tannoy announcers to call him 'Tony' rather than 'Anthony'? [I'm sure that's it exactly - Ed.]

Another fact you might not have known: Williams was loaned to Stockport during the 2003-04 season and was in the side that beat Town 2-1 in April. A useless fact for sure, but I hope Williams doesn't descend to such a level of uselessness.