We’ll be bold against Danes
BANGOR City manager Kevin Nicholson insists his team will be well prepared for the difficult challenge of Denmark’s Lyngby Boldklub in Thursday night’s Europa League first qualifying round, first leg clash at the Lyngby Stadion (6.30pm).
Former Cardiff City coach Nicholson and assistant-boss Gary TaylorFletcher have both been busy studying match footage of the Danes since the draw was made in Nyon last week.
Managed by former Wimbledon, Norwich City and Grimsby Town forward David Nielsen, Lyngby were impressive third-place finishers on their return to the Danish Superliga last season after a four-year absence.
Twice Danish champions and three-time national cup winners, the club nicknamed The Royal Blues or The Vikings went bankrupt in 2001 and dropped into amateur football before steadily rebuilding their status.
They twice battled their way back to the top-flight only to be relegated on both occasions before returning to the Superliga for the 2016/17 campaign.
Most of the current squad are Danish, with one eye-catcher being Jeppe Kjaer, a lively forward who was topscorer for Lyngby last season.
Nicholson reports a full-strength squad is available for Thursday’s test.
“Preparations are going well. We have been back training since June 7 and have also played a few warm up matches to ensure that we are the best prepared we can be for the Europa League games we now have coming up against Lyngby,” he said.
“We will have a full squad to select from and everyone is looking forward to the game in Denmark on Thursday.
“Gary Taylor-Fletcher and I have been analysing match footage of our opponents since the draw was made. We are aware of their players, their playing style and their strengths and weaknesses.”
Nicholson added: “We are excited and looking forward to the games we have got coming up against Lyngby. It will be a good test for our team.
“The players and everyone at the club worked hard last season to achieve this opportunity to play in Europe again, so I’m sure everyone will be giving everything they have got to make the most of it.”
One player not in the Bangor squad will be Henry Jones, who last week joined National League AFC Fylde.
Midfielder Jones, 23, was named Young Player of the Year in the Welsh Premier League last season after netting 14 goals and providing 10 assists in 32 appearances for the Citizens.
A former Wales Under-21 international, Jones began his career with English Premier League side Swansea City, rising up through the ranks from the age of eight before turning pro at 18. He then starred for the Swans’ Under-21 side before switching to Bangor City last summer.
Jones was named in the Welsh League’s Team of the Year last season and played an influential role for the Citizens in securing a fourth-place finish in the WPL and subsequent qualification for the Europa League.