FT: ARMENIA 1 - 1 WALES. Match thread

[blue_emu]

Johnson and James were both very disappointing after they came on but we didn’t really get them the ball . Once we went to four at the back we were all over the place, Armenia should have won it at the end

Page at fault for this? Seemed like nothing was thought out to utilise them. Just get them on and hope for the best

[llan bluebird]

The country were raving about them after the last match.

They were so outnumbered though. On paper it was a 343, but in reality, it was a 5221. The system worked against the old men of Croatia but Pages inability to change game plan against a quicker, less technical team is every reason he should go.

We didn't need three centre halfs and you lose a midfeilder for it. Brookes needed to go central and James or BJ should have come on earlier at the expense on a centre half

[2b2bdoo]

I’ve said it a million times but for me Page is an awful manager, lucky to have got the job on the back of Giggs issues. The FAW giving him a new contract before the World Cup was unbelievable. What has it been now one good performance against Croatia, other than that game when was the last good performance we have put in?

[BLUETIT]

Moore’s chest was like a trampoline the ball bounced so far off it

[Moodybluebird]

So noticeable how every Welsh player lacked composure on the ball when we got into the attacking third. No ball control, no vision, no movement. Compare that to Armenia, who worked the ball so well when in the same position, finding a man, beating their opponent with ease and setting up chances galore. On another day they could have had a hatfull.

[blue_emu]

Moore’s chest was like a trampoline the ball bounced so far off it

100%. One of his main strengths desertated him today and no plan B to sub him when it obviously wasn't working. Didn't even have any urgency to get it out wide to get crosses in for him.

[Pearcey3]

Armenia were comfortably better in the second half. Quicker and more skilful and better passing. Had their finishing been better we would have been well beaten. We should at worst finish third so will have a chance in the play offs.

[the other bob wilson]

Blakey got it right after the game when he said that in the past we’d have a Bale or Ramsey to come up with something special when it was needed, today there was absolutely nothing from a set of players that had shown they could produce when needed against Croatia.

[llan bluebird]

We won't have Galacticos to dig us out for the foreseeable, so we need a management team capable of delivering unique game plans to maximise what we have and minimise what the opposition has.

Rob Page is a lovely guy but it's not him

[blue_emu]

Anyone think Colwill would have made a difference? Despite flaws atleast he is someone who can make something special out of nothing. Seemed to be that sort of game from the way we played.

[EastbourneBlue]

Blakey got it right after the game when he said that in the past we’d have a Bale or Ramsey to come up with something special when it was needed, today there was absolutely nothing from a set of players that had shown they could produce when needed against Croatia.

Expect we’ll still be saying that in 10 years time

[Pearcey3]

In fairness to Page he can't do much about the passing which was dreadful time and time again.

[llan bluebird]

Anyone think Colwill would have made a difference? Despite flaws atleast he is someone who can make something special out of nothing. Seemed to be that sort of game from the way we played.

Yes, purely because we needed someone hanging around the middle to pick up the ball and do something with it.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

They were so outnumbered though. On paper it was a 343, but in reality, it was a 5221. The system worked against the old men of Croatia but Pages inability to change game plan against a quicker, less technical team is every reason he should go.

We didn't need three centre halfs and you lose a midfeilder for it. Brookes needed to go central and James or BJ should have come on earlier at the expense on a centre half

Agree. You can have all the 'pace' upfront but with literally no midfield it was pointless. This Armenia squad play barely league 1 level football yet they outplayed us everywhere..

[Der Kaiser]

Anyone think Colwill would have made a difference? Despite flaws atleast he is someone who can make something special out of nothing. Seemed to be that sort of game from the way we played.

Absolutely not

[Moodybluebird]

We seemed to be lacking energy for some reason. Near the end of the game Armenia counter attacked and none of of our players had it in them to track back. They looked out on their feet, which is odd because we played at a pedestrian pace throughout and barely broke sweat.

[blue_emu]

Absolutely not

Fair opinion! Just think a Colwill cameo instead of keeping Moore on for the full 90 would have been worth a roll of the dice during that desperate end to the game.

[goats]

Croatia 1 up already so looks like it’s all over…..grim eh

[Der Kaiser]

If I've looked correctly, Poland have guaranteed their playoff berth, however if Ukraine beat Italy on Monday night Italy take the other group A slot so we'd miss out entirely. I think, could be wrong.

[Der Kaiser]

If I've looked correctly, Poland have guaranteed their playoff berth, however if Ukraine beat Italy on Monday night Italy take the other group A slot so we'd miss out entirely. I think, could be wrong.

Scrap that, https://x.com/DaleJohnsonESPN/status...240630441?s=20


Switzerland should qualify tonight and Netherlands should by Tuesday with their fixtures.

[D. Advocaat]

It's telling that, in a must win game, we looked less and less likely to get the necessary result with each substitution Page made.

The pitch looked a bit ropey and the players never settled or found any sort of rhythm- they looked like they spent last night either on the lash or in a cell in Yerevan, or perhaps both. We were just lucky it wasn't a hiding.

[LA Bluebird]

Taking off Wilson rather than switching to 4 at the back at that point was a truly bizarre decision, showed absolutely no understanding of the tactical situation. We ended up with speed up front and nobody to link between the back and the front who could actually get them the ball.

2-0 Croatia, time to get ready for a tough playoff.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Where the hell did our performance against Croatia come from?

[Grangenders]

Hopefully we can win the play offs. You have to be an incredibly poor team not to qualify for the Euros these days

[Jordi Culé]

Taking off Wilson rather than switching to 4 at the back at that point was a truly bizarre decision, showed absolutely no understanding of the tactical situation. We ended up with speed up front and nobody to link between the back and the front who could actually get them the ball.

2-0 Croatia, time to get ready for a tough playoff.

Here's a thought.

Croatia win tonight, Wales lose to Turkey and Armenia beat Croatia, no play offs, I think?

Happily be wrong.