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I might add the top teams spend months doing specific drills that allow them to move the ball around quickly. I noticed some players didn't go where they were supposed to a few times. This all has to be worked out on the training pitch, and everybody has to know their role inside out.
Good result in the end but otherwise two very flat performances. To be expected in many ways, watched a few matches over the weekend and all had a pre season feel.
Yet to be convinced we can adequately replace anywhere near the impact bale (unrealistic to be fair) and Ramsey have had on our performances and results moving forward but I'm delighted so many young players have had an opportunity and it will set us up well in future.
We need a top class striker.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trigger
Lovely cross from Johnny Williams and an excellent header from Neco. Two clean sheets despite missing four centre backs and two key central midfielders.
A great chance of making the play offs and from there winning them and qualifying for the World Cup Finals.
I think even Lewandowski would have struggled to make an impact in this side over the last two matches. To be fair to Moore, he has put away the two chances he's had, albeit one of them being disallowed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
Once Wales have rediscovered their fluency, there are enough potential goalscorers in the team for the absence of a world class striker not to be an issue. At present, it is the way Giggs has set up the team to play that is preventing them being a high scoring outfit, not the current players being profligate in front of goal.
Frustrating match for Kieffer as referee refused to allow him to play his game.
Surely someone on here knows :facepalm:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rjk
Just checked and it appears that 16 teams will qualify for the next World Cup from Europe. The ten group winners in the WC qualifiers will qualify for the finals. The ten runners up in each group will go into the play offs along with the two best placed Nation League sides. So 12 teams involved in the play offs with six qualifying for the finals with the ten group winners.
In fact only 3 teams out of the 12 in the play offs will qualify for the finals. So 12 take part in the play offs presumably three groups of four with the play off winners in each group qualifying for the finals.
I wrote this yesterday trying to explain the competition and it's rewards.
Nations league is an international league competition with promotion and relegation. Between four levels
Wales are in League B (level 2) - which contains 16 teams split into four groups. if we were to win our group we, along with the other three group winners, would be promoted to League A. Bottom placed teams in each League are relegated.
There are four Leagues. A, B & C contain 16 teams. League D the 7 remaining UEFA nations.
Promotion and relegation happens at all levels except teams that finish bottom of League D who just finish last in Europe. They can’t be relegated but can win promotion. It means Andorra for example over a few tournaments could be promoted to the top League. Likewise England could be relegated to League D
The 4 group winners in League A contest the Nations League finals to win the overall competition. Their reward is a trophy.
There will also be normal World Cup qualifying. That starts in March.
10 groups. The 10 group winners all qualify for Qatar. The ten runners up all go into the play offs.
Only three play off winners can go to Qatar. So the ten group runners up will be joined by two sides from the Nations League who have not already qualified for Qatar or already gained a play off place.
That means six games producing six winners who then play three finals to produce the three play off winners.
Giving us the 13 European teams at the World Cup in 2022
So if Wales finish outside the top two of their World Cup qualifying group they might have a chance of a play off place if they did well in the Nations League. The two sides chosen will be the two highest ranked Nations League performances who have not already qualified directly for the WC or comes runners up in their WC qualifying group.
Nations League has basically replaced friendlies (there will still be some friendlies) making international games competitive and with a chance of a reward of promotion, relegation or maybe a play off place for qualifying for a tournament.
Covid, a re-arranged Euro’s and a WC in winter 22 means the usual international routine is a bit disrupted but we will have competitive international football this September, October, November in the Nations League.
Next March, September, October and November in WC qualifying - with three qualifying games in a week to fit the matches in that would usually have been played in June but can’t because we have the Euros.
Then the 2022 Nations league will be played in June and September ahead of the November Word Cup.
As well as all the league and qualifying games the nations league final, nations league relegation play offs and World Cup play offs have to take place as well.
Add in the 20/21 domestic season, the 21/22 domestic season and part of the 22/23 season to be played before the WC in 26 months time it can be fair to say there is going to be almost wall to wall football for the next couple of years.
"Missing four centre backs"... That can't be right, can it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
Rodon and Mepham were missing. The only other 2 I can think of are Ashley Williams who wouldn't have played anyway and Chester who wasn't called up despite being fit (he played for Stoke today).
Am I missing something?
I included Chester. Didn’t know he played today. Seems like he is now surplus to requirements. I think Ashley Williams may have played.Quote:
Originally Posted by Heisenberg
Rodon played yesterday.Quote:
Originally Posted by Heisenberg
So did Mepham. He and Rodon were apparently left out (according to reports) due to them being injured for a while and needing to work on their fitness with their clubs. Same with Tom Lawrence.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
That wasn't an issue with Chester and looks like he's definitely out of favour. If Williams had played in either game after the performances he put in for Bristol City then I don't think I could handle the anxiety of seeing him likely giving away a needless penalty. He was awful for them and, at 36 and clubless, I think it's time for him to bow out gracefully.
A great shame about Chester. He was superb around 2015/16. His knee seems a big problem. Giggs has some interesting decisions to make going forward. At right back Roberts or Williams? Who are his first choice centre backs now? Does he move Ampadu back to CDM?Quote:
Originally Posted by Heisenberg
When Allen and Ramsey are fit who misses out? With Bale, Moore, Brooks and James also available something would have to give.
He was brilliant in that back 3 with Williams and Davies. He's gone downhill since then though, like you said, likely due to those injuries he kept having.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
Rodon and Mepham have to be our first choice CBs (imo).
Our midfield has looked a bit lightweight and has lacked creativity in the last two games. Ampadu and Ramsey would be my first choice as a pair. That would certainly give more bite and and (hopefully) give us more control in the centre of the park. I think Allen may have to play a bit part role but he's a great option to have in case of injury or as a sub.
Roberts hasn't impressed me at all for Swansea or Wales for a while. He looks like he's lost any and all composure in and out of possession. Williams looks the real deal and should be given a chance in the game against England. Hopefully a good performance will cement his place in the XI.
Our forward line is the best we have had in a long time. It wasn't too long ago we had Steve Morison, Simon fecking Church or Freddy Eastwood (remember him?!) as a starting striker. Moore looks infinitely better than those three ever did for Wales (probably being slightly harsh on Morison there).
We've probably been a bit lucky to grab a win in the last two games... But as other posters have said already... Those are games we would have lost in the past so can't complain too much.
The only thing I disagree with that people have been praising Giggs for is that he's been willing to "blood youngsters". My argument would be: who else have we got available to us that would play before the youngsters he's chosen anyway? David Edwards :hehe:
So if fit. Something like below
Hennessey
Williams
Mepham
Rodon
Davies
Ampadu CDM
Ramsey
Brooks
James
Moore
Bale roaming
Six young players in that starting line up
Looks good to me :thumbup: ...Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
...Although Wilson has to be considered as well. We're so blessed with those types of players at the moment.
It’s great to see. Real competition for places and lots of youngsters coming through.Quote:
Originally Posted by Heisenberg
World Cup Playoff spotQuote:
Originally Posted by Harry Paget Flashman
no you don't. read my reply above.Quote:
Originally Posted by City123
whatever happened to Ben Woodburn?Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
I'd like to see Ampadu playing in front of the back 4 as an extra layer of protection for the defence, and it would also give him more freedom in his primary role as a playmaker. He is now our biggest decision maker on the pitch, and most of our attacks start with him, so he doesn't need to be worrying about marking the opposition team's last man. I can't remember Wales ever having a defensive player who was so comfortable on the ball, and we are now well equipped to compete in the modern game.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
Regarding the fullback it's got to be Williams. He's a real live wire and tricky going forward. I also like the idea of playing Brooks and Ramsey in the middle, as we seem quite limited only having one creative player there. Of course it would require Ampadu to play at CDF, as he reads the game so well.
But what about Joe Allen? I'm a big fan of what he contributes to team, so maybe he will have to play when we need to be more defensive minded. There are so many other good players too, who can make a real impact coming off the bench. Looking forward to the England game now, that should be a good test of where we are footballing wise.
Unfortunately the rewards for winning Group B are much less tangible re World Cup qualification than they were for the Euros. At the very best we would pick up one of two World Cup play off places available were we to win Group B.Quote:
Originally Posted by City123
The only reasonable explanation that I have found is that he likes a pint, maybe a bit more than he should? I'm happy to be be corrected though! Nothing else makes any sense, as he a very talented player.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Gillis
I would prefer Ampadu there too. It gives the flair players the chance to push forward knowing he is there to protect the back four. He is an obvious candidate to be the next captain of Wales. Neco Williams looks like he is on a different level to Roberts and has to start going forward. Hennessey now odds on to be the first Wales player to reach 100 caps as Gunter is now third choice right backQuote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
I can see Giggs giving Gunter 4 caps from the bench, as he has been a very loyal servant, and I heard he plays a big part behind the scene and is popular with all the players.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
Possibly although he won’t risk winning a match to bring him on. Hennessey now in 91 caps.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
Maybe he won't be the first, but I think he will get there eventually :biggrin:Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
That should be CDM!Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
Worth remembering that he looked lively in his first 2 Wales games too and also scored on his home debut. Hopefully Williams can push on a lot more but I'm not quite so sure that Connor Roberts' days are over just yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Gillis
He even scored for the Liverpool first team, but he seems to be completely out of the picture now, so something is not right.Quote:
Originally Posted by caerkid
I think besides the football ability, you need a certain type of mentality to succeed as a player I'd guess that gets more important as you get to the age where you are going to be playing senior football.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
My sources* tell me that Chelsea are willing to let Ampadu go out on loan to Sheffield United
*just seen it on twitter
I'd use Ampadu in defence because he can make us truly a side which builds from the back for at least as long as Joe Allen keeps on playing after he returns from his injury. I'm listening to that Ryan Giggs podcast and he's just been asked about Ampuda's best position - he said it would depend on how strong we were in the positions he can play in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
He should never go back to Chelsea, they are a basket case of a club. They stopped Hudson-Odoi going to Bayern Munich and now they hardly play him.Quote:
Originally Posted by delmbox
Hudson-Odoi missed the start of last season because he hadn't recovered from rupturing his Achilles tendon and then he injured his hamstring in February.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
Wales-Bales (Gluey) may have 'alternative facts' though!Quote:
Originally Posted by LeningradCowboy
I'm talking about since he's been fit, not to mention all the new players they have bought. I don't think he is going to be in their strongest starting XI.Quote:
Originally Posted by LeningradCowboy