Is Cardiff City's immediate return to the Championship an inevitability? The Bluebirds are now 10 points clear of the League One play-off places after a comfortable midweek win over Barnsley, prompting comparisons with Birmingham's march to the title last season.

Life is far harder for Newport County, who failed to build on the feelgood factor of a rare win on Saturday by losing to fellow strugglers Accrington Stanley on Tuesday. Manager Christian Fuchs might insist his team are not in a relegation battle, but the coming games - starting with Bristol Rovers - could define their whole season.

Wrexham showed their winning mentality with two added time goals to snatch a win at Queens Park Rangers that lifts them to the top six in the Championship for the first time this season. But an inexplicable handball and a missed open goal continued Swansea City's away woes.

And Iwan and Sam share their Welsh Cup memories as the competition reaches the last eight - with several lower league clubs dreaming of lifting the cup and booking an unforgettable ticket to Europe.

Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes know more than most about scoring goals. They also know a prolific scorer can be worth his weight in gold. Swansea City's Zan Vipotnik is the Championship's top scorer with 13 goals, while Kieffer's Moore's 10 goals for Wrexham ensures they are well in touch of a play-off place. And in League One, Yousef Salach has caught the eye in Cardiff City's rise to the top of the table. But if they had to choose, which one would they say is the best?

But this week's podcast starts with the disappointing news of Ben Davies' likely absence from World Cup play-offs with a broken ankle, while Jordan James gives manager Craig Bellamy another potential scare with a hamstring injury.

Wrexham produced another memorable occasion at Y Cae Ras with a thrilling FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest on penalties, leading to a somewhat underwhelming fifth round tie against Ipswich Town. It was penalty pain for Swansea, though, despite showing more encouraging signs against struggling West Bromwich Albion.

A superb solo effort from Yousef Salech secured a hard-earned point for Cardiff City, with a potentially pivotal period coming up against two promotion rivals.

And Sam prepares for a "huge game" against Newport County after Iwan goes in "two footed" with the alarming decline in Gillingham's form.

Barry Horne and Iwan Roberts join Simon Davies to pay tribute to former Wales captain and manager Terry Yorath, who has died aged 75. Yorath made Horne his captain of the national side, which famously coming within a victory of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, while Roberts won his first cap during his reign. Both remember him as an immensely talented footballer, with a humble and warm personality as a manager. "He was a father figure," they say. "Wales has lost a great man."

After a calamitous defeat to Swansea City before Christmas, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson could not have asked for a better response from his players. Four consecutive wins has lifted the Reds to ninth in the Championship, but crucially, within six points of second place. Are they now genuine contenders for automatic promotion? Iwan and Sam certainly think so.

Swansea's steady progress under Vitor Matos continues, although Iwan believes some are "getting carried" away with the improvement, given they've yet to beat anyone above them in the table.

Cardiff City remain top of League One, but their lead at the top remains three points despite a fruitful festive period. And Newport County are off the bottom of League Two, giving themselves some welcomed hope into the new year.

From the unprecedented high of a first appearance at major tournament, to the disheartening 12-game winless streak, the past 12 months have been a period of polar contradictions for Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson. "It's by far my least successful year," she tells Carl Roberts and former Wales international Nia Jones, "but I'm so proud."

In an in-depth interview, Wilkinson reflects on the harsh lessons learned at the European Championship and the relief of ending the year with a victory over Switzerland. She reveals how her parents' influence have shaped her career, how she sees herself as manager and not a coach with Wales, and what role she hopes the retired Jess Fishlock will soon have in her backroom team.

Carl Roberts and former Wales internationals Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes reflect on the weekend’s results. Swansea came from behind to beat Wrexham 2-1 in their first league meeting for 22 years. Meanwhile, League One leaders Cardiff were beaten 2-1 away at promotion rivals Lincoln, and bottom-of-the-table Newport County suffered another League Two defeat after losing 4-1 away at Colchester.

Carl Roberts, Iwan Roberts and Sam Vokes reflect on a good week for Cardiff City, despite a League Cup defeat to Chelsea. Swansea City and Wrexham prepare for a first league meeting for 22 years, and Newport's financial reality is laid bare as chairman Huw Jenkins faces the disgruntled fans.

In a rare and fascinating insight, head coach Craig Bellamy gives a glimpse into the tactics and fundamental principles used by Wales in the recent World Cup qualifying campaign. Using a tactics board in the dressing room at the Wales training base near Cardiff, Bellamy reveals the flexibility of his approach and what he demands from each member of the squad. Carl, Iwan and Sam are engrossed... and barely manage to get a word in.

Bellamy, who has won half of his 16 games in charge of Wales, also names his biggest coaching influences and explains the debt of gratitude he owes to Iwan for protecting him during their time together playing for Norwich City.

A big statement of intent - that's what Carl, Iwan and Sam made of the three late attacking substitutions made Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy that turned an acceptable away draw into a huge win at title rivals Stevenage. It increased their lead at the top of League One to four points, but also sent a clear message to their rivals on the manager's winning mentality.

Swansea City had a super sub of their own as Liam Cullen struck to ensure a second successive home win that silenced talk of a relegation battle... for now. Newport County put a shocking FA Cup display behind them to earn a point at Crewe, giving Iwan new hope they can climb off the bottom of League Two as the hectic Christmas schedule arrives.

And after Mo Salah's remarkable outburst against his treatment at Liverpool, Sam recalls his attempts to persuade Sean Dyche he was wrong to drop him to the Burnley bench.

It may only be early December, but the message is clear for Swansea City - this is now a relegation fight. And the next two games - at home to fellow strugglers Oxford United and Portsmouth - could define the whole season.

Wrexham, meanwhile, are looking upwards after extending their unbeaten run to eight games. Manager Phil Parkinson has now reached 200 league games with The Reds, with a hugely impressive 59.5% win rate. With so many clubs now opting for a head coach rather than a more traditional manager, are the likes of Parkinson becoming a rare breed? Iwan and Sam share their experiences of working under some of the best in the business.

Premier League scouts are flocking to Cardiff City to watch Dylan Lawlor, and Rhian Wilkinson can breathe a sigh of relief after claiming a first win for Wales in a tough, yet historically significant, 2025.