" JAZZ RICHARDS "
Mon Jun 26, 2017 6:40 am
The Jazz Richards interview: The 'easy' move from Swansea City to Cardiff City and my Wales World Cup ambitions
By Dominic Booth
Monday 26th June 2017
The Cardiff City and Wales full back reveals the obstacles he's overcome in a productive 12 months for club and country
McDonald’s ambassador Jazz Richards joined Talycopa FC and the FAW as they hosted a Community Football Day
Jazz Richards is a player coming into his own.
Two years ago he was being loaned out by Swansea City, now he wants to be a permanent fixture in the Wales first team. He wants promotion with Cardiff City.
It hasn't been a straightforward transition, however. Nothing has come quickly nor easily for Richards; injuries hampered his progress, but the 26-year-old is stepping out of the shadows to fly the Welsh flag, both for Cardiff and his country.
Even 12 months ago Richards was forced to negotiate a major obstacle upon moving to the Welsh capital club. His Swansea past couldn't be ignored and a storm brewed around the talented full-back when impassioned Bluebirds fans implored him to do the 'Ayatollah' in an August clash with Birmingham City. Sceptical supporters saw it as an initiation for the Swansea lad.
Jazz Richards of Cardiff City looks for support. (Photo: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
And yet, a year down the line, Richards prepares for his second season at Cardiff City Stadium with the matter virtually forgotten, consigned to the history books because of the full back's consistency last term.
"The whole thing about moving from Swansea to Cardiff was easy for me," insists Richards when the inevitable subject is broached.
"I was never one of those players who was disrespectful towards Cardiff, or supported Swansea over Cardiff. I just played the game and got on with it, it was easy for me to deal with.
"The response from Cardiff fans was great, all positive comments. I think being involved with Wales helped. There was obviously the gesture of doing the Ayatollah but that all blew over fairly quick and they know I'm here to play for them. They were very positive with me after that."
Chris Wathan looks ahead to the fixtures facing Cardiff City this season
Involvement with Wales' Euro 2016 squad definitely helped.
Although Richards featured just once (against Slovakia) in the dream run to Euro semi-finals, he and Emyr Huws were brought to Cardiff as beacons of Welsh hope, at a club which was increasingly losing any flavour of the 'homegrown'.
Of course, the 'Wales Way' didn't work for the Bluebirds and Trollope. But it is testament to Richards' determination and durability that he overcame an early managerial change — plus the Swansea connection and a major training injury — to thrive for Cardiff in the second half of the season. Some of Trollope's other signings: Huws, Rickie Lambert, Lex Immers and Frederic Gounongbe, failed to adapt.
The reason? Richards is in his prime and was desperate to prove his doubters wrong. He knew he would make a success of his Cardiff move.
"Neil wanted me to come back as fit as possible to play in the team," he says.
"I had to go through eight weeks of injury and fight my way back.
"The end of last season was very positive. I'd say it was a good season, but I'm hoping for better."
Richards strung together some imperious displays at right-back from January onwards, making the most of Lee Peltier's injury to earn a first team berth. With Joe Bennett marauding down the left, the pair brought a new dimension to the Bluebirds' attacking play under Warnock.
It was those performances, that remarkable return from injury, which earned a precious call-up to Chris Coleman's first team.
The Wales boss doesn't often make changes — why would he? — but Neil Taylor's suspension forced his hand.
Wales needed a reliable option at wing-back to step into a hostile Belgrade atmosphere. They needed someone to help eke out a result away from home to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. Enter Richards.
"I thrive off (hostile atmospheres), where the fans are loud and on your back, it gets me more hyped for the game," he says of that 1-1 draw with Serbia.
"We just got on with our jobs."
Jazz Richards in Wales action against Republic of Ireland
Might there be a future spot for Richards in the Wales first team? If that performance is anything to go by, certainly.
Not only did he appear at home on the pitch, he's been a part of the Welsh furniture for a number of years. This one was an easier transition.
"I'm hoping to play again and get more games going forward," adds the full back.
"I've been in the squad for a few years now and I know those guys are really humble and down to earth. That's what makes it really easy. You feel part of the group, like they're your mates. For example, Gareth Bale is a really nice lad.
"It's normal when you're there in that environment, but it seems abnormal looking at it from the outside."
As for the World Cup, could Richards find himself starting for Wales at Russia 2018?
"We can definitely do it. We've got more than a good team and we know our strengths. We put that into practice and we put that into reality out on the pitch. I think you've seen over the past few years how good we are as a team."
Back at Cardiff, the arrival of Callum Paterson from Hearts ensures Richards will continue to face obstacles. The Bluebirds are enormously well stocked at full back with Bennett, Peltier and Matt Connolly also available in Richards' two favoured positions.
"The club rate (Paterson) highly and I know he's rated highly in Scotland as well," adds Richards.
"But it's good to strengthen the squad, it's good to have the competition for places."
Richards now has a rigorous pre-season schedule to look forward to. Warnock expects his troops to push the boundaries of expectation and challenge for promotion next season.
"He's a brilliant manager," Richards says of the Yorkshireman.
"He wears his heart on his sleeve and he will tell you how it is. If he likes you, he likes you; if he doesn't, he doesn't.
"But I think it's his motivational skills and how much belief he has in the players that gets the boys up for the games. He and the coaching staff have done very well since coming in. We want to get off to a good start."
Jazz Richards was speaking at the McDonald's & FAW Community Football Day in Swansea, celebrating 15 years of McDonald’s partnering with the four UK home nations & supporting grassroots football. For more information visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/betterplay
By Dominic Booth
Monday 26th June 2017
The Cardiff City and Wales full back reveals the obstacles he's overcome in a productive 12 months for club and country
McDonald’s ambassador Jazz Richards joined Talycopa FC and the FAW as they hosted a Community Football Day
Jazz Richards is a player coming into his own.
Two years ago he was being loaned out by Swansea City, now he wants to be a permanent fixture in the Wales first team. He wants promotion with Cardiff City.
It hasn't been a straightforward transition, however. Nothing has come quickly nor easily for Richards; injuries hampered his progress, but the 26-year-old is stepping out of the shadows to fly the Welsh flag, both for Cardiff and his country.
Even 12 months ago Richards was forced to negotiate a major obstacle upon moving to the Welsh capital club. His Swansea past couldn't be ignored and a storm brewed around the talented full-back when impassioned Bluebirds fans implored him to do the 'Ayatollah' in an August clash with Birmingham City. Sceptical supporters saw it as an initiation for the Swansea lad.
Jazz Richards of Cardiff City looks for support. (Photo: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
And yet, a year down the line, Richards prepares for his second season at Cardiff City Stadium with the matter virtually forgotten, consigned to the history books because of the full back's consistency last term.
"The whole thing about moving from Swansea to Cardiff was easy for me," insists Richards when the inevitable subject is broached.
"I was never one of those players who was disrespectful towards Cardiff, or supported Swansea over Cardiff. I just played the game and got on with it, it was easy for me to deal with.
"The response from Cardiff fans was great, all positive comments. I think being involved with Wales helped. There was obviously the gesture of doing the Ayatollah but that all blew over fairly quick and they know I'm here to play for them. They were very positive with me after that."
Chris Wathan looks ahead to the fixtures facing Cardiff City this season
Involvement with Wales' Euro 2016 squad definitely helped.
Although Richards featured just once (against Slovakia) in the dream run to Euro semi-finals, he and Emyr Huws were brought to Cardiff as beacons of Welsh hope, at a club which was increasingly losing any flavour of the 'homegrown'.
Of course, the 'Wales Way' didn't work for the Bluebirds and Trollope. But it is testament to Richards' determination and durability that he overcame an early managerial change — plus the Swansea connection and a major training injury — to thrive for Cardiff in the second half of the season. Some of Trollope's other signings: Huws, Rickie Lambert, Lex Immers and Frederic Gounongbe, failed to adapt.
The reason? Richards is in his prime and was desperate to prove his doubters wrong. He knew he would make a success of his Cardiff move.
"Neil wanted me to come back as fit as possible to play in the team," he says.
"I had to go through eight weeks of injury and fight my way back.
"The end of last season was very positive. I'd say it was a good season, but I'm hoping for better."
Richards strung together some imperious displays at right-back from January onwards, making the most of Lee Peltier's injury to earn a first team berth. With Joe Bennett marauding down the left, the pair brought a new dimension to the Bluebirds' attacking play under Warnock.
It was those performances, that remarkable return from injury, which earned a precious call-up to Chris Coleman's first team.
The Wales boss doesn't often make changes — why would he? — but Neil Taylor's suspension forced his hand.
Wales needed a reliable option at wing-back to step into a hostile Belgrade atmosphere. They needed someone to help eke out a result away from home to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. Enter Richards.
"I thrive off (hostile atmospheres), where the fans are loud and on your back, it gets me more hyped for the game," he says of that 1-1 draw with Serbia.
"We just got on with our jobs."
Jazz Richards in Wales action against Republic of Ireland
Might there be a future spot for Richards in the Wales first team? If that performance is anything to go by, certainly.
Not only did he appear at home on the pitch, he's been a part of the Welsh furniture for a number of years. This one was an easier transition.
"I'm hoping to play again and get more games going forward," adds the full back.
"I've been in the squad for a few years now and I know those guys are really humble and down to earth. That's what makes it really easy. You feel part of the group, like they're your mates. For example, Gareth Bale is a really nice lad.
"It's normal when you're there in that environment, but it seems abnormal looking at it from the outside."
As for the World Cup, could Richards find himself starting for Wales at Russia 2018?
"We can definitely do it. We've got more than a good team and we know our strengths. We put that into practice and we put that into reality out on the pitch. I think you've seen over the past few years how good we are as a team."
Back at Cardiff, the arrival of Callum Paterson from Hearts ensures Richards will continue to face obstacles. The Bluebirds are enormously well stocked at full back with Bennett, Peltier and Matt Connolly also available in Richards' two favoured positions.
"The club rate (Paterson) highly and I know he's rated highly in Scotland as well," adds Richards.
"But it's good to strengthen the squad, it's good to have the competition for places."
Richards now has a rigorous pre-season schedule to look forward to. Warnock expects his troops to push the boundaries of expectation and challenge for promotion next season.
"He's a brilliant manager," Richards says of the Yorkshireman.
"He wears his heart on his sleeve and he will tell you how it is. If he likes you, he likes you; if he doesn't, he doesn't.
"But I think it's his motivational skills and how much belief he has in the players that gets the boys up for the games. He and the coaching staff have done very well since coming in. We want to get off to a good start."
Jazz Richards was speaking at the McDonald's & FAW Community Football Day in Swansea, celebrating 15 years of McDonald’s partnering with the four UK home nations & supporting grassroots football. For more information visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/betterplay
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: " JAZZ RICHARDS "
Mon Jun 26, 2017 7:34 am
Massive year for Jazz and our defensive unit whether be for Wales or Cardiff. For Cardiff I except that Warnock took us from conceding 1.7 per game to conceding 1.2 per game but I thought it was the area Warnock would have improved further. Next year after a full pre season we need to cut it further if we're to compete at the top and I think we've got the players to do that.
Re: " JAZZ RICHARDS "
Mon Jun 26, 2017 8:45 am
Always liked Jazz as a player. Felt he's always delivered for Wales and never looked poor when playing at club level. Even though some fans disagree. I think he could have a big season if he gets a run of games early on and finds some consistency.
Re: " JAZZ RICHARDS "
Mon Jun 26, 2017 10:31 am
Big fan of his. Just goes about his business without too much fuss and is pretty consistent whenever I've seen him. Good player.
Re: " JAZZ RICHARDS "
Mon Jun 26, 2017 10:39 am
Finally a decent article from WOL - I was really excited when Jazz signed for us and felt we got the better end of the deal seeing Malone go the other way, it took its time, but he's pretty solid - I think Bennet will have more competition trying to keep out Paterson than Jazz will have - and I like bennet too! We are pretty well stocked at wing back/full back - it's the back two or three that's gonna be hard to predict especially if Manga signs - for me it's Pelts/Morrison/Bamba - but Pelts would drop to a bench role if Manga signs.
Solid though and the keepers brought in should be pretty solid behind that D.
Solid though and the keepers brought in should be pretty solid behind that D.
Re: " JAZZ RICHARDS "
Mon Jun 26, 2017 10:49 am
He's my favourite player to be honest. Would love him to be a succesa, and if when we do face Swansea City next, I'd love Jazz to score and slide in front of the Jacks. Yeah, I'm in a dreamland. 
But in reality he is a very good player, and I worried when Warnock brought Patterson in, and clearly has no intentions to move Peltier on due to a new contract - but he clearly as a use for the three Right Backs, who unlike most Right Backs, can play multiple positions.
But in reality he is a very good player, and I worried when Warnock brought Patterson in, and clearly has no intentions to move Peltier on due to a new contract - but he clearly as a use for the three Right Backs, who unlike most Right Backs, can play multiple positions.
Re: " JAZZ RICHARDS "
Mon Jun 26, 2017 11:30 am
Richards has proved many wrong including myself, I am happy to say that 