Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

[Kind of Blue]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

And as disappointing as this tournement has been, the thought that came to mind last Friday when I was walking out of London Welsh more than anything was the frustration of how we messed up qualifying for 2018 and in a way perhaps that was the one we really missed out on.

[Dave Blue]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

I agree with much being said but I do feel that the management and players have bought into the ‘pleased we are here’ attitude a little too much.

[Harry Bosch]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

This World Cup felt like a step too far for me before the tournament began. I didn't share the same optimism that some of my pals did. Seeing how little game time Ramsey and Bale were getting, coupled with Joe Allen having been out for some time and clearly in decline after being released from Stoke really made me fear the level of performance we would offer. I'm sorry to say, but last night's performance was exactly what I expected given the previous two matches. All of that said, it still feels unacceptable to call a team, that qualified for a World Cup, crap. In decline? Yes. Ran out of steam? Yes.

We now have 3 months and more until our next fixture. That leaves plenty of time for the dust to settle and for a frank assessment to be made after the disappointment eases. I do not necessarily want to see Rob Page replaced just now. Of course he has made mistakes and our development as a team will greatly depend on his ability to learn and improve. I'm sure he will admit that he is not Jose Mourinho, but he is a proud Welshman and will be hurting just like the rest of the nation. He has been loyal to the old guard and I can forgive him that. Yet we now have a perfect opportunity to make necessary changes and I think I favour evolution over revolution. Page could do worse than speak with Toshack and Flynn about their experience of ushering in the youth, and I'd also like to see Osian Roberts return to the fold. Although I'm not sure he would be prepared to leave his post at Palace while they are doing reasonably well under Viera.

Onwards to Croatia in March. Let's hope that the Welsh players in and around the squad get plenty of first team football between now and then.

[jon1959]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

This World Cup felt like a step too far for me before the tournament began. I didn't share the same optimism that some of my pals did. Seeing how little game time Ramsey and Bale were getting, coupled with Joe Allen having been out for some time and clearly in decline after being released from Stoke really made me fear the level of performance we would offer. I'm sorry to say, but last night's performance was exactly what I expected given the previous two matches. All of that said, it still feels unacceptable to call a team, that qualified for a World Cup, crap. In decline? Yes. Ran out of steam? Yes.

We now have 3 months and more until our next fixture. That leaves plenty of time for the dust to settle and for a frank assessment to be made after the disappointment eases. I do not necessarily want to see Rob Page replaced just now. Of course he has made mistakes and our development as a team will greatly depend on his ability to learn and improve. I'm sure he will admit that he is not Jose Mourinho, but he is a proud Welshman and will be hurting just like the rest of the nation. He has been loyal to the old guard and I can forgive him that. Yet we now have a perfect opportunity to make necessary changes and I think I favour evolution over revolution. Page could do worse than speak with Toshack and Flynn about their experience of ushering in the youth, and I'd also like to see Osian Roberts return to the fold. Although I'm not sure he would be prepared to leave his post at Palace while they are doing reasonably well under Viera.

Onwards to Croatia in March. Let's hope that the Welsh players in and around the squad get plenty of first team football between now and then.

Excellent post. My feelings (and hopes) mirror yours.

[MacAdder]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

This World Cup felt like a step too far for me before the tournament began. I didn't share the same optimism that some of my pals did. Seeing how little game time Ramsey and Bale were getting, coupled with Joe Allen having been out for some time and clearly in decline after being released from Stoke really made me fear the level of performance we would offer. I'm sorry to say, but last night's performance was exactly what I expected given the previous two matches. All of that said, it still feels unacceptable to call a team, that qualified for a World Cup, crap. In decline? Yes. Ran out of steam? Yes.

We now have 3 months and more until our next fixture. That leaves plenty of time for the dust to settle and for a frank assessment to be made after the disappointment eases. I do not necessarily want to see Rob Page replaced just now. Of course he has made mistakes and our development as a team will greatly depend on his ability to learn and improve. I'm sure he will admit that he is not Jose Mourinho, but he is a proud Welshman and will be hurting just like the rest of the nation. He has been loyal to the old guard and I can forgive him that. Yet we now have a perfect opportunity to make necessary changes and I think I favour evolution over revolution. Page could do worse than speak with Toshack and Flynn about their experience of ushering in the youth, and I'd also like to see Osian Roberts return to the fold. Although I'm not sure he would be prepared to leave his post at Palace while they are doing reasonably well under Viera.

Onwards to Croatia in March. Let's hope that the Welsh players in and around the squad get plenty of first team football between now and then.

Agree re Osian.

[Wales-Bales]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

Playing Bale & Ramsey in every match turned every game into attackers v defenders. That is the genius of Rob Page. Get him out whatever it takes!

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

Playing Bale & Ramsey in every match turned every game into attackers v defenders. That is the genius of Rob Page. Get him out whatever it takes!

Do you think either Coleman or Giggs would have left Bale and/or Ramsey out of the starting line up fit any of the three games? I don’t think they would have.

[jon1959]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

Noel Mooney has just done an interview on SSN where he described Rob Page as a 'fantastic and progressive coach'.

Not the slightest hint that the 4 year contract will be binned any time soon.

FWIW I agree Page should be given time to evolve the squad and show whether or not he has the ability (with his coaches - where changes may be needed) to make the next Wales team more than the sum of its parts (like Speed, Coleman and maybe even Giggs).

[Bald Barry Bastad]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

I'm watching Tunisia now pace power aggression energy every player. You couldn't say that about any of our lot. We were an embarrassment in this world cup.

[Wales-Bales]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

Do you think either Coleman or Giggs would have left Bale and/or Ramsey out of the starting line up fit any of the three games? I don’t think they would have.

Probably included for the first game, possibly for the second, but not all three!

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

Probably the first game, possibly the second, but not all three!

Think Coleman would have picked them for all of the games, you might be right about the third game with Giggs though.

[Hilts]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

Bale has been so completely anonymous you have to wonder whats been happening in training. Its obvious he was nowhere near the standard needed.

Im not convinced a better manager wouldnt have left him out.

Page must have known he was playing a passenger. I cant believe hes been ripping it up in training.

Ramseys different. He was covering ground and getting involved he just played poorly. So did the whole side though. I think he would have been picked anyway.

[Ninja]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

I can't stand Jason Cundy but he makes a fair point. Qatar, who wouldn't even be involved if they weren't hosting, managed to grab a point more than us.

1 goal from a pelanty, that's it. Not a single outfield goal in nearly 300 minutes of open play.

Page is not the man to take us forward.
All this nonsense of how proud we should be etc... Proud of what exactly? Piss poor tactics, selections, performances and results?

I'm still only just recovering from yesterday, had to go and "have a lie down" for nearly 24 hours after that shower of shite.

[Ninja]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

We've got a point more than them.
I'm losing it, head's gone.
I'm off to lie down again.
☹️

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Are Wales crap, under-performing or a mixture of both?

I can't stand Jason Cundy but he makes a fair point. Qatar, who wouldn't even be involved if they weren't hosting, managed to grab a point more than us.

1 goal from a pelanty, that's it. Not a single outfield goal in nearly 300 minutes of open play.

Page is not the man to take us forward.
All this nonsense of how proud we should be etc... Proud of what exactly? Piss poor tactics, selections, performances and results?

I'm still only just recovering from yesterday, had to go and "have a lie down" for nearly 24 hours after that shower of shite.

We should be proud of them for getting there and I think they were given full credit for that.

I used to say about our first Premier League season in 13/14 that no one on the playing side, football management and coaching side and in the Boardroon came out of that season with their reputation enhanced apart from David Marshall. I believe much the same applies to Wales’ World Cup campaign except that there isn’t a Marshall there - who came out of this with their reputation intact, let alone enhanced?