Thoughts on the Guinness swillers Monday?

[Hilts]

I think this game may be easier without Bale. Bale sometimes tries to do too much (can't fault that though, especially considering the efforts of our last "world class" player Andy Legg - sorry Ryan Giggs), and sometimes that is to the detriment of the team.

Wales have a Lawrence and Woodburn who have just scored their first international goals, and I think the momentum is with Wales. I also think O'Neill can make some poor decisions, and I fancy he may overthink the game on Monday.

Of course it wont be fecking easier without Bale.

Seriously.

[Dr Lecter]

Of course it wont be fecking easier without Bale.

Seriously.

I can see his point though.

With Bale on the pitch we have a tendency to play everything through him and expect him to be the match winner.

Without him, other players step up and we're not so obvious for the opposition to work out. Also the opposition mindset is altered when Bale is missing and assume they've got an easier game.

Obviously won't be easier without Bale but in a way it'll make it more difficult for Ireland.

[joecity]

I can see his point though.

With Bale on the pitch we have a tendency to play everything through him and expect him to be the match winner.

Without him, other players step up and we're not so obvious for the opposition to work out. Also the opposition mindset is altered when Bale is missing and assume they've got an easier game.

Obviously won't be easier without Bale but in a way it'll make it more difficult for Ireland.

I know this might sound obvious n maybe a bit stupid but having Bale in makes most sense when Allen and Ramsey in as well. That's when he can just get on with playing instead of feeling like he has to run the show. So ideally I would have all 3. Of course he will always start when available but I can see the argument that he tries to do too much when the other 2 aren't there.

[Hilts]

I know this might sound obvious n maybe a bit stupid but having Bale in makes most sense when Allen and Ramsey in as well. That's when he can just get on with playing instead of feeling like he has to run the show. So ideally I would have all 3. Of course he will always start when available but I can see the argument that he tries to do too much when the other 2 aren't there.

I think Ramsey is the one most guilty of this. To be fair the 3 of them are so much better than the rest you can see why this happens. Then you have Bale who is at another level to Allen and Ramsey.

The fact is Wales need all 3 fit. Bale though is a massive loss. If we get through these 2 games and into the play offs it will be a great achievement by our players.

[joecity]

I think Ramsey is the one most guilty of this. To be fair the 3 of them are so much better than the rest you can see why this happens. Then you have Bale who is at another level to Allen and Ramsey.

The fact is Wales need all 3 fit. Bale though is a massive loss. If we get through these 2 games and into the play offs it will be a great achievement by our players.

I think Ramsey takes on even more again when the 3 are in, loses the ball more but the gains are bigger. With all 3 in we just get on to the next level. Alas not to be. I'm not a stat man as in I wouldn't know how to find it but I would like o see the win percentage with all of them in within the last 4 years.

[Hilts]

I can see his point though.

With Bale on the pitch we have a tendency to play everything through him and expect him to be the match winner.

Without him, other players step up and we're not so obvious for the opposition to work out. Also the opposition mindset is altered when Bale is missing and assume they've got an easier game.

Obviously won't be easier without Bale but in a way it'll make it more difficult for Ireland.

Ireland have to go for the win. They are an average hard working side.

Bale countering is one less thing they will have to worry about. I honestly think with Bale hed take them apart in this game and it would be an easy night and victory.

Without Bale theres not a lot between these 2 sides. Its going to be a tight game.

Bale outside of Ronaldo and Messi is in the next group of world class players.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

I can see his point though.

With Bale on the pitch we have a tendency to play everything through him and expect him to be the match winner.

Yep. You know that if it's 0-0 with 15 minutes to go and we need a win, Bale would be trying to do it all on his own - unrealistic shots from 30-35 yards etc.

[Baloo]

Haven't looked at other fixtures, is it likely we'll know what we we need when we kick-off?

[jamieccfc]

Haven't looked at other fixtures, is it likely we'll know what we we need when we kick-off?

Should be clear after today's games