International football: Wales/Cymru v Finland, Belarus and Estonia

Our game against Belarus just got that bit harder...

Original defenders picked for the squad: Gunter, Ben Davies, Ampadu, Mepham, Rodon, Neco Williams, Lockyer, Lawrence, Norrington-Davies

Joe Rodon and Neco Williams injured and pull out, Ethan Ampadu and Brandon Cooper (replacement called up) unable to get visas for Russia. Tyler Roberts also out due to visa issues.

Will have to knuckle down and win the game anyway but so far this re-arranged fixture has meant i) greater distance to travel, ii) greater admin cost and iii) players unable to go.

- 1st up is Finland: Wednesday 1 September 2021 \ 19:00
- 2nd is Belarus: Sunday 5 September 2021 \ 14:00
- 3rd is Estonia: Wednesday 8 September 2021 \ 19:45 (tickets:https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/ticket...mru-v-estonia/)

Mark Harris has been called up

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Originally Posted by City123

Mark Harris has been called up

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I think his pace and finishing ability makes him an interesting player. Can see him having more games at City when we get our midfield sorted.

Just to finish off my OP, switch to Kazan also means: i) Belarus have to travel and ii) are playing home game in neutral stadium. Might even be a nicer pitch too.

As I said, we have to knuckle down and find a way to win anyway.

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Originally Posted by surge

I think his pace and finishing ability makes him an interesting player. Can see him having more games at City when we get our midfield sorted.

Just to finish off my OP, switch to Kazan also means: i) Belarus have to travel and ii) are playing home game in neutral stadium. Might even be a nicer pitch too.

As I said, we have to knuckle down and find a way to win anyway.

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This seems like deja vu to the bad old times, away qualifying games we should and have to win but hit by lots of withdrawals and we end up dropping points and not qualifying. Hopefully there is now enough experience and know how to as you say just find a way to come back with a 1-0 win from Belarus

Belarus game becoming a farce. Are there no grounds in Kaliningrad to make it a little bit less travel intensive if it has to be in Russia?

Also I presume they have to use a Russian venue rather than somewhere a bit more convenient given Belarus’ relative international relations in Europe or they’re worried about players not going back à la that Belarusian lass at the Tokyo olympics?

Fairplay we’ve been given the runaround by Uefa with venues recently.

More bad news...

'Injured Ramsey withdraws from Wales squad'

http://www.skysports.com/share/12395181

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Originally Posted by MacAdder

More bad news...

'Injured Ramsey withdraws from Wales squad'

http://www.skysports.com/share/12395181

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Least surprising headline of the week!

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Originally Posted by Don Corleone

Least surprising headline of the week!

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Sad but true.

Ramsey had just got a real run of games going but tried to near single-handedly take Arsenal back into Champions League under Emery which lead to injury and hasn't quite been the same since.

Think him being available is a bit of a luxury for us now but what a player! Properly proud to be Welsh, one of our best ever talents and a real game changer at the highest level.

Dan James looks like he's got his move away now which I think will be good for him: refining his game under Bielsa will be so much better than a club who can give game time to young players but don't improve them otherwise and fans who always wanted to spend more money on a higher profile. He might need some love in the way Bale did early days at Spurs.

Brooks is out injured

There's nobody f*ckin left!

Getting in there before anyone moans...

Role of a third choice keeper specialised and most teams will keep it as an option for older head offering words of experience, young keeper gaining experience or person who is good to have around the camp.

Arguably, Maxwell should be our number two or number one option based on how he's been playing as late but him not being a late selection to be third isn't notable.

Number dropping out of this camp is more concerning.

Kieffer Moore out now as well.

If you've not got your ticket for home game next Wednesday then it might be time to reconsider. We ideally need a big, supportive home crowd for these games now.

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According to centre-half James Lawrence, attaining a visa became a four-day affair fit with a three-and-a-half hour round trip car journey through Germany and a forking over of biometric data, fingerprints, documents in terms of salary, club contract, living situation and other personal information.

https://welshfootballfans.com/eatsle...MfR28Gfe3Z6WEg

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Reminds me of some of the stories you hear about travelling with Wales away in the 90's except it's happening to the players.

This is becoming a joke. We have so many missing.

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Originally Posted by surge

Kieffer Moore out now as well.

If you've not got your ticket for home game next Wednesday then it might be time to reconsider. We ideally need a big, supportive home crowd for these games now.

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Assume Moore hasn't been vaccinated then? He's only a close contact, not tested positive?

I don’t get why certain players have not got visas. Piss poor.

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Originally Posted by Pearcey3

I don’t get why certain players have not got visas. Piss poor.

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Whoever messed that up needs to be sacked quite honestly

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Originally Posted by Pearcey3

I don’t get why certain players have not got visas. Piss poor.

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One of the suggestions was that players also need their passports to move clubs so if they were expecting a late transfer they might not have been able to hand over that document to Russian office.

James Lawrence saying he needed a day to drive to Berlin and back to process his documents so might be that players couldn't get the time off.

I don't think we can assume anything.

P.S. correcting my earlier post, Finland game is on at 5pm tonight rather than 7pm.

Finland at 2.9 is a massive price

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Danny Ward

Jonny Williams
Lockyer
Ampadu
Lawrence
Norrington-Davies

Smith
Levitt

Wilson
Roberts
Johnson

https://twitter.com/Cymru/status/1433075101721931777

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I'm guessing at the formation but think it will look something like this. I'm also guessing Brandon Cooper, Colwill, Harris and Sheehan have a good chance to come off the bench and get a cap.

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Requests to UEFA over last 24 hours to explain why Kazan in Russia was chosen as neutral venue for Wales’ World Cup qualifier with Belarus have fallen on deaf ears

https://twitter.com/philblanche/stat...39545650618369

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Of course they have. My guess is that we didn't help ourselves being vocal about how badly UEFA had organised the Euros, but if they saw fit to move us to Russia rather than so many other options of neutral venues then they're not going to tell us why.

No Joe Allen in the squad for the Finland game either! Harris and Colwill both on the bench as is Bale

Mark Hughes has been asked to travel.

They must hate Vaulks???

Surprised Doige hasn’t had a chance.

Poor pelanty that

I don’t think that pen was that bad

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Originally Posted by WJ99mobile

I don’t think that pen was that bad

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If they go in it’s ‘well placed’. If they don’t it’s a ‘poor kick’.

Brennan Johnson is looking lively which is good, not a very good penalty from Wilson though

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Originally Posted by Wash DC Blue

Surprised Doige hasn’t had a chance.

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He's injured.

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Originally Posted by Don Corleone

No Joe Allen in the squad for the Finland game either! Harris and Colwill both on the bench as is Bale

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Surely not injured too. I also noticed Mepham wasn’t in the original squad. Is he suspended?

I think we’re playing well up to now, nice passing, playing out from the back, members of the back three pushing forward to augment the attack, it’s like watching City play.

Just whacked 38p on Wales to win 1-0 @ 3/1 - Shitting bricks.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

I think we’re playing well up to now, nice passing, playing out from the back, members of the back three pushing forward to augment the attack, it’s like watching City play.

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Man City?

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Originally Posted by surge

Of course they have. My guess is that we didn't help ourselves being vocal about how badly UEFA had organised the Euros, but if they saw fit to move us to Russia rather than so many other options of neutral venues then they're not going to tell us why.

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I imagine that it may well be as prosaic as no other country in Europe (or the EU at least) willing to host it. I imagine defection fears may play into it.

What is most frustrating is that although it has disadvantaged them it’s disadvantage us as much if not more.

Have enjoyed this for a friendly, we’ve been tidy enough so far.

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Originally Posted by Pearcey3

Man City?

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You wait until we play Reading, you’ll be amazed at the transformation.

Been ok, some nice triangles but very little going forward for either team.

Poor pen, no pace and fairly central.

Nil nil this will be, logic dictates.

Why are we even risking Ben Davies

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

You wait until we play Reading, you’ll be amazed at the transformation.

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Paul. Trust me. I can wait!

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Originally Posted by WJ99mobile

Why are we even risking Ben Davies

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Game time I suppose. Who will start on Sunday that is first choice? Ward, Ben Davies, Bale, James. Anyone else?
Are Mepham and Allen available?

Ben Woodbines? Thought he'd become a plumber or something..