Wales squad

Joe Allen back from international retirement. I know we need cover for Ampadu, but Allen's barely played for Swansea all season.
Colwill not included again.

Goalkeepers: Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Karl Darlow

Defenders: Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Davies, Owen Beck, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts

Midfielders: Jordan James, Joe Allen, Josh Sheehan, Wes Burns, Ollie Cooper, Sorba Thomas, David Brooks

Forwards: Nathan Broadhead, Lewis Koumas, Brennan Johnson, Harry Wilson, Mark Harris, Liam Cullen, Kieffer Moore.

Not sure who plays alongside Jordan James with Amadeus out, maybe move Ben Davies there? Can’t see Joe Allen starting, he doesn’t play often for the Jacks anymore, though I guess could be useful to bring on in last 15 mins

That midfield is incredibly weak, but does seem strange and shortsighted to bring a clearly over the hill Allen back rather than bring a youngster through like Savage or Crew. But then I’d say the same about the obsession with Sheehan as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LA Bluebird

That midfield is incredibly weak, but does seem strange and shortsighted to bring a clearly over the hill Allen back rather than bring a youngster through like Savage or Crew. But then I’d say the same about the obsession with Sheehan as well.

---

U21s have a big game same time we play Montenegro that those 2 will be in for

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Undercoverinwurzelland

Joe Allen back from international retirement. I know we need cover for Ampadu, but Allen's barely played for Swansea all season.
Colwill not included again.

Goalkeepers: Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Karl Darlow

Defenders: Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Davies, Owen Beck, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts

Midfielders: Jordan James, Joe Allen, Josh Sheehan, Wes Burns, Ollie Cooper, Sorba Thomas, David Brooks

Forwards: Nathan Broadhead, Lewis Koumas, Brennan Johnson, Harry Wilson, Mark Harris, Liam Cullen, Kieffer Moore.

---

Please....let's hope Bellamy hasn't lost the plot now too. Maybe it's something in the Cardiff drinking water? Allen's finished. Colwill should be there. Sheehan has photos in a vault somewhere of FAW execs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Citizen's Nephew

Please....let's hope Bellamy hasn't lost the plot now too. Maybe it's something in the Cardiff drinking water? Allen's finished. Colwill should be there. Sheehan has photos in a vault somewhere of FAW execs.

---

:hehe:

Sheehan's an interesting one, good technical player who probably plays lower than he should owing to injuries he sustained when he was younger but I've not seen anything in his friendly appearances to ensure a regular squad spot

Speaks to how poor the Welsh midfield is really. Beyond Ampadu & James the cupboard really is bare, need Crew/Savage/King/J.Colwill to kick on

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LA Bluebird

That midfield is incredibly weak, but does seem strange and shortsighted to bring a clearly over the hill Allen back rather than bring a youngster through like Savage or Crew. But then I’d say the same about the obsession with Sheehan as well.

---

I've never seen crew, but he's barely played any senior football, Savage hasn't seemed that good when Ive seen him either so I can understand turning to someone like Allen.
Far from ideal but unfortunately thats the reality of where the squad is right now

I reckon Cooper’s appearance in midfield against Montenegro is a clue as to who will play there in Ampadu’s absence. As for Colwill, City’s start to the season would have worked against him and players such as Broadhead and Burns would have moved above him in the pecking order because they play for a Premier League team - with Brooks fit again as well, I can’t make too strong a case for him being in this squad.

Joe Allen ?!?

At this rate, we’ll have Bale & Tosh back before long

I think they've made a conscious decision to focus on the U21s qualifying, which is fair enough. If they didn't have a big game, I'd imagine the likes of Crew, Savage, Cotterill, King, etc would have been in the squad ahead of Sheehan. I also think it's a good idea to have Colwill there, as opposed to a couple of relatively meaningless Nations League games.

Im not massively sold on Allen returning as he hasn't played much football in the last 2 years and, if he's planning to stick around longer term, I think it'll be at the expense of someone else's development. I can see why he'd be an attractive option to bring on for 15 or 20 mins though.

Cooper needs to improve as I thought he was very poor against Montenegro (albeit in difficult conditions). I'm also a bit disappointed Tom Lawrence continues to get overlooked (unless he's refused a call up).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

I reckon Cooper’s appearance in midfield against Montenegro is a clue as to who will play there in Ampadu’s absence. As for Colwill, City’s start to the season would have worked against him and players such as Broadhead and Burns would have moved above him in the pecking order because they play for a Premier League team - with Brooks fit again as well, I can’t make too strong a case for him being in this squad.

---

.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuerto

.

---

Exactly!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by splott parker

Exactly!

---

Sometimes, there are no words....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuerto

Sometimes, there are no words....

---

They don’t come easy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuerto

.

---

I disagree, and I think a comma would have been a better reply.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

I disagree, and I think a comma would have been a better reply.

---

You know what, i started replying to Bob, read it back and thought, What a load of shit, so i deleted it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Citizen's Nephew

Please....let's hope Bellamy hasn't lost the plot now too. Maybe it's something in the Cardiff drinking water? Allen's finished. Colwill should be there. Sheehan has photos in a vault somewhere of FAW execs.

---

Lots of people criticised bellamy first squad on here also. Doubt many will admit it though!

Then after his first game everyone wanted him as our manager.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don Corleone

Not sure who plays alongside Jordan James with Amadeus out, maybe move Ben Davies there? Can’t see Joe Allen starting, he doesn’t play often for the Jacks anymore, though I guess could be useful to bring on in last 15 mins

---

Ben Davies into midfield?!
What have you been smoking and can I get some.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Citizen's Nephew

Please....let's hope Bellamy hasn't lost the plot now too. Maybe it's something in the Cardiff drinking water? Allen's finished. Colwill should be there. Sheehan has photos in a vault somewhere of FAW execs.

---

Josh Sheehan is a very good player, that if not for injuries, and for the fact he’s at a big L1 club that should have been promoted by now, he would be a championship regular. I imagine he’s paid championship level wages at Bolton as well which is why he hasn’t moved clubs yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cardiff-Cal

Josh Sheehan is a very good player, that if not for injuries, and for the fact he’s at a big L1 club that should have been promoted by now, he would be a championship regular. I imagine he’s paid championship level wages at Bolton as well which is why he hasn’t moved clubs yet.

---

Boltons Player of the Season last year, and in the PFA League One Team of the Year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don Corleone

Not sure who plays alongside Jordan James with Amadeus out, maybe move Ben Davies there? Can’t see Joe Allen starting, he doesn’t play often for the Jacks anymore, though I guess could be useful to bring on in last 15 mins

---

The old Falco song would be ideal if it really was his name:hehe:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cardiff-Cal

Josh Sheehan is a very good player, that if not for injuries, and for the fact he’s at a big L1 club that should have been promoted by now, he would be a championship regular. I imagine he’s paid championship level wages at Bolton as well which is why he hasn’t moved clubs yet.

---

To be fair, I wasn't being really serious and it's just my flippant posting style. I've actually seen Sheehan play quite a bit throughout his career. He had a spell at Newport under Mike Flynn where I watched a lot a games when he was coming back from injury after leaving Swansea. His career was cut short at Swansea where he was a rising star. It's great to see him flourish and good luck to him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cardiff-Cal

Boltons Player of the Season last year, and in the PFA League One Team of the Year.

---

:thumbup:

I'm serious about Jo Allen though. It's regressive imo. But who knows what the reasoning is? We're just guessing from the sidelines.

Both Colwills, Ashford, King and Tom Davies all in the u21 squad
https://x.com/Cymru/status/1841795339122319819

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cardiff-Cal

Boltons Player of the Season last year, and in the PFA League One Team of the Year.

---

Yeah, he's a decent player and probably one of the only genuine central midfield options we've got at the moment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Citizen's Nephew

I'm serious about Jo Allen though. It's regressive imo. But who knows what the reasoning is? We're just guessing from the sidelines.

---

Experienced cover to come off the bench with Ampadu out maybe? Means we don't take away any under 21s for their big game

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by City123

Experienced cover to come off the bench with Ampadu out maybe? Means we don't take away any under 21s for their big game

---

I'm probably in a minority of 1, but aren't the U21s effectively a feed into the senior side? Wouldn't it be more beneficial for a player at that level to represent Wales at senior level as opposed to staying in the 21's for one game? I'm not sure how these things work, But I doubt very much that apart from the players, Their Families management and the bods at the Welsh FA, nobody really cares that much about the 21's, it's essentially a holding pen😂

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by City123

Experienced cover to come off the bench with Ampadu out maybe? Means we don't take away any under 21s for their big game

---

Is it a big game though? Compared to a full Welsh cap for the senior side? I’m not being awkward I just don’t know anyone other than a few on here who even know they’re playing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Citizen's Nephew

Is it a big game though? Compared to a full Welsh cap for the senior side? I’m not being awkward I just don’t know anyone other than a few on here who even know they’re playing.

---

If they win they become the first ever Wales u21 team to qualify for a major tournament, with the added experience & exposure from that (should the qualify) I think its worth skipping them being an unused sub against Iceland/Montenegro

The u21s and seniors train together a fair bit as well so its not like they'd miss a huge amount from that

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuerto

I'm probably in a minority of 1, but aren't the U21s effectively a feed into the senior side? Wouldn't it be more beneficial for a player at that level to represent Wales at senior level as opposed to staying in the 21's for one game? I'm not sure how these things work, But I doubt very much that apart from the players, Their Families management and the bods at the Welsh FA, nobody really cares that much about the 21's, it's essentially a holding pen��

---

Here's what I said to CN and I think it covers this: If they win they become the first ever Wales u21 team to qualify for a major tournament, with the added experience & exposure from that (should the qualify) I think its worth skipping them being an unused sub against Iceland/Montenegro

Did Colwill benefit more from sitting on the bench in Montenegro than he would have playing away against Iceland u21s where he would be the main man having to take on a larger responsibility? If its a decision between playing for the seniors and playing for the u21s then there's an obvious answer that of course they should play for the seniors, but benchwarmer v starter is a different question (In my opinion)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by City123

Here's what I said to CN and I think it covers this: If they win they become the first ever Wales u21 team to qualify for a major tournament, with the added experience & exposure from that (should the qualify) I think its worth skipping them being an unused sub against Iceland/Montenegro

Did Colwill benefit more from sitting on the bench in Montenegro than he would have playing away against Iceland u21s where he would be the main man having to take on a larger responsibility? If its a decision between playing for the seniors and playing for the u21s then there's an obvious answer that of course they should play for the seniors, but benchwarmer v starter is a different question (In my opinion)

---

👍Good post mate. Sound argument. I wish he’d left Ramsey on the bench during that monsoon though!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rjk

I've never seen crew, but he's barely played any senior football, Savage hasn't seemed that good when Ive seen him either so I can understand turning to someone like Allen.
Far from ideal but unfortunately thats the reality of where the squad is right now

---

Everybody in football speaks very highly of Charlie Crew.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by City123

Here's what I said to CN and I think it covers this: If they win they become the first ever Wales u21 team to qualify for a major tournament, with the added experience & exposure from that (should the qualify) I think its worth skipping them being an unused sub against Iceland/Montenegro

Did Colwill benefit more from sitting on the bench in Montenegro than he would have playing away against Iceland u21s where he would be the main man having to take on a larger responsibility? If its a decision between playing for the seniors and playing for the u21s then there's an obvious answer that of course they should play for the seniors, but benchwarmer v starter is a different question (In my opinion)

---

I see your point, but it's not like it's optional, would you apply the same logic at club level? Better to play for the 21's as opposed to being on the bench for the 1st team, in the hope that you get on and make an impression?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuerto

I see your point, but it's not like it's optional, would you apply the same logic at club level? Better to play for the 21's as opposed to being on the bench for the 1st team, in the hope that you get on and make an impression?

---

Its a little different though isn't it by virtue of being invitational rather than based on transfers, contracts etc? International squads, by their nature, are a lot more flexible than a club's first team and there isn't pressure to play a certain player because he was a big signing/on big money as there is in the club game. At the end of the day those youngsters are what you're stuck with so there's a more linear progression from the u21s into the first team than you get with clubs

Also the gap between internationals mean you have plenty of other opportunities to stake a claim for a squad spot outside of international camps, so its different to club youth football again in that respect

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cardiff-Cal

Ben Davies into midfield?!
What have you been smoking and can I get some.

---

Hasn't this come up before where somebody was insisting Ben Davies should be played in midfield? For some reason I think it was Wales Bales but I might be wrong

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by delmbox

Hasn't this come up before where somebody was insisting Ben Davies should be played in midfield? For some reason I think it was Wales Bales but I might be wrong

---

He's actually played there for Spurs fairly recently, and I was just ahead of the curve :hehe:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuerto

I see your point, but it's not like it's optional, would you apply the same logic at club level? Better to play for the 21's as opposed to being on the bench for the 1st team, in the hope that you get on and make an impression?

---

That’s also a good point. I was thinking that many posters would be apoplectic at the thought of a player like Jo Allen would get picked and subbed before some of the younger players if it was City game. Also, I’m guessing we’re not expecting a Montenegro side to be a major challenge at home. Would be ideal for someone like Colwill. I’m swinging like a pendulum here! Part of me thinks that Bellamy may be a bit jumpy and doesn’t want a banana skin at home. I’m also concerned at my use of football cliches!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by delmbox

Hasn't this come up before where somebody was insisting Ben Davies should be played in midfield? For some reason I think it was Wales Bales but I might be wrong

---

You’re not wrong.

I think the under 21 fixture against the Czech Republic is more important than the Nations League matches we’re going to play - representing Wales in the Finals of the biggest UEFA age group competition would be great for the development of all concerned while, surely, making it more likely that more of them will eventually play for the senior team.