Wales squad

[the other bob wilson]

From Pompey website on 16 March:

Joe Morrell has been called up by Wales for the latest round of international fixtures.

The Pompey midfielder is suspended for their World Cup play-off semi-final against Austria on Thursday, March 24.

He will, however, be available for a friendly match the following Tuesday, with the opponents yet to be confirmed.

Fair enough, I’m sure I heard somewhere that the system regarding suspensions had been changed, I must have been wrong. That increases the chances of Ampadu playing in midfield then I reckon.

[City123]

Well, a five man midfield maybe - fair play, you’ve remained very loyal to Ampadu. If I had to guess, I think he’ll spend his career as a Premier League quality player, which will be good for Wales, but it’s going to be viewed as a disappointment bearing in mind all of the hype around five years ago.

I still think he'll be a top class player, only 21 and over 50 top flight appearances and 31 caps for his country. If the next few months go to plan then he'll have been a crucial part of qualifying for and playing in a European Championship and World Cup at just 22. Chelsea's issues could well see him become a feature in their side next season as Christensen, Rudiger and Azpilicueta are all out of contract

Barring something catastrophic Ampadu is probably going to break the caps record for Wales and go down as one of our greatest ever

[Wales-Bales]

Fair enough, I’m sure I heard somewhere that the system regarding suspensions had been changed, I must have been wrong. That increases the chances of Ampadu playing in midfield then I reckon.

I think all bookings were erased, but maybe not the suspensions?

[the other bob wilson]

I think all bookings were erased, but maybe not the suspensions?

That must be it.

[Wales-Bales]

I still think he'll be a top class player, only 21 and over 50 top flight appearances and 31 caps for his country. If the next few months go to plan then he'll have been a crucial part of qualifying for and playing in a European Championship and World Cup at just 22. Chelsea's issues could well see him become a feature in their side next season as Christensen, Rudiger and Azpilicueta are all out of contract

Barring something catastrophic Ampadu is probably going to break the caps record for Wales and go down as one of our greatest ever

I think he has struggled with some growth related issues in the past. Hope he leaves Chelsea though

[Wales-Bales]

Ampadu completed 90 mins & Ramsey subbed after 83 mins.

Brennan Johnson up next, it will be interesting to see how he does against Liverpool.

[Hilts]

Odd that James Chester has also been ignored for so long. Three players in Chester, Taylor and Lawrence all playing regularly at Championship level consistently ignored.

Seeing James Chester midweek its not odd at all. He was seriously bad.

[Monster munch]

Bale didn’t even make the Real bench this evening and just landed in Cardiff airport, hopefully not injured although who knows how fit he is. Can’t see him starting Thursday tbh.

[Pearcey3]

I think Bale will start. Not sure what the team or formation will be though.
I would go

Wayne Hennessey
Neco Williams
Joe Rodon
Chris Mepham
Ben Davies
Ethan Ampadu
Joe Allen
Aaron Ramsey
Dan James
Brennan Johnson
Gareth Bale

Page may play Davies at centre back as part of a back three. Will Connor Roberts or Harry Wilson start? Will Johnson start?

[City123]

I think Bale will start. Not sure what the team or formation will be though.
I would go

Wayne Hennessey
Neco Williams
Joe Rodon
Chris Mepham
Ben Davies
Ethan Ampadu
Joe Allen
Aaron Ramsey
Dan James
Brennan Johnson
Gareth Bale

Page may play Davies at centre back as part of a back three. Will Connor Roberts or Harry Wilson start? Will Johnson start?

Will be a back 5 I reckon

Hennessey
C.Roberts
Mepham
Rodon
Davies
N.Williams
Allen
Ampadu
James
Ramsey
Bale

Wilson may start ahead of Bale though

[Wales-Bales]

I think Bale will start. Not sure what the team or formation will be though.
I would go

Wayne Hennessey
Neco Williams
Joe Rodon
Chris Mepham
Ben Davies
Ethan Ampadu
Joe Allen
Aaron Ramsey
Dan James
Brennan Johnson
Gareth Bale

Page may play Davies at centre back as part of a back three. Will Connor Roberts or Harry Wilson start? Will Johnson start?

I prefer this line-up. With Johnson in the team, you don't need Roberts bombing forward every 5 minutes. If the full-backs do go forward, Ampadu is pretty good at dropping into the backline. Saying that, I think it's going to be 3 at the back

[Wales-Bales]

My preferred line-up and formation.

Wayne Hennessey
-
Neco Williams - Chris Mepham - Joe Rodon - Ben Davies
-
Joe Allen - Ethan Ampadu
-
Brennan Johnson - Aaron Ramsey - Dan James
-
Gareth Bale

(Note: Johnson & James are both good at tracking back when required).

[delmbox]

There's absolutely no way Bale doesn't start

[Pearcey3]

There's absolutely no way Bale doesn't start

Yep. Just his presence on the pitch matters. Besides if Bale doesn’t start due to lack of matches nor should Hennessey or Rodon. Bale can probably give 60/70 minutes which hopefully will be enough.

[Armitage Shanks]

How does Brennan Johnson get to play for Wales?
Glad he is as he's a good player

[Pearcey3]

My preferred line-up and formation.

Wayne Hennessey
-
Neco Williams - Chris Mepham - Joe Rodon - Ben Davies
-
Joe Allen - Ethan Ampadu
-
Brennan Johnson - Aaron Ramsey - Dan James
-
Gareth Bale

(Note: Johnson & James are both good at tracking back when required).

If that is the side we would still have the likes of Harry Wilson, Conor Roberts, Sorba Thomas and Rabbi Motondo as bench options. Not bad considering Ward, Moore, Brooks and Roberts are missing.

[Pearcey3]

How does Brennan Johnson get to play for Wales?
Glad he is as he's a good player

Welsh relatives on his mother’s side.

[delmbox]

My preferred line-up and formation.

Wayne Hennessey
-
Neco Williams - Chris Mepham - Joe Rodon - Ben Davies
-
Joe Allen - Ethan Ampadu
-
Brennan Johnson - Aaron Ramsey - Dan James
-
Gareth Bale

(Note: Johnson & James are both good at tracking back when required).

I do like this, only thing I'd not sure of is if Wilson or Johnson would be the best impact sub, no one would want Johnson coming on after 70 mins and running at them

[Wales-Bales]

If that is the side we would still have the likes of Harry Wilson, Conor Roberts, Sorba Thomas and Rabbi Motondo as bench options. Not bad considering Ward, Moore, Brooks and Roberts are missing.

I chose that line-up and formation because it is very flexible. You can easily go 4-4-1-1 with Johnson & James dropping back, or transition into 3-4-2-1 with either Davis or Ampadu in a back 3, plus there is the attacking depth down the flanks with Williams, Johnson, Davies & James.

[Wales-Bales]

I do like this, only thing I'd not sure of is if Wilson or Johnson would be the best impact sub, no one would want Johnson coming on after 70 mins and running at them

I was watching Johnson this evening and he is very good defensively, and he can break from deep.

[Pearcey3]

I do like this, only thing I'd not sure of is if Wilson or Johnson would be the best impact sub, no one would want Johnson coming on after 70 mins and running at them

Think Page may start with Wilson as the more experienced player. What I like about the squad is the pace that a number of players have.

[Pearcey3]

I chose that line-up and formation because it is very flexible. You can easily go 4-4-1-1 with Johnson & James dropping back, or transition into 3-4-2-1 with either Davis or Ampadu in a back 3, plus there is the attacking depth down the flanks with Williams, Johnson, Davies & James.

I was thinking exactly this. You could also go 4-1-4-1 as well with Ampadu as the single CDM. We have plenty of pace there too.

[Wales-Bales]

I was thinking exactly this. You could also go 4-1-4-1 as well with Ampadu as the single CDM. We have plenty of pace there too.

Yeah, Total Football if they are coached properly

[Pearcey3]

Yeah, total football if they are coached properly

I’m not sure total football and Chris Mepham go hand in hand.

[Wales-Bales]

I’m not sure total football and Chris Mepham go hand in hand.

I might have got a bit carried away there Is it just me, or is he getting worse as he gets older? I remember he was quite good when he first signed for Bournemouth, but seemed to lose confidence after a few mistakes.