FT: WALES 0 - 2 IRAN. Match thread

[Wales-Bales]

They haven’t played every minute of every game.

You are arguing over 3 minutes due to a forced substitution to bring on a goalie

[Divine Wright]

Dissapointed in the Euros. **** me.

Thats enough for me the day. Jesus wept.

The performances in the last one (2021) were very similar to this one. We were afraid to keep the ball and didn't really show much of an identity. You can say what you like about the results. But the performances, apart from the Turkey game didn't show us in our best light.

Call me a nut-job but i think that this group of players can play football. I think they can pass and move and produce quality. But they didn't look like they had the confidence to even attempt that against the Swiss, the Italians, the Danes, the Americans and again today. And in the end you just think ....are they trying to just muddle their way through, hold on without conceding and then nick a goal somewhere. I know tournament football is notoriously tight but these players don't seem like they can express themselves , whether it be because of fitness or tactics. It's my opinion that there is room for improvement in terms of the coaching.

[Divine Wright]

I don’t think a draw against the Swiss, a win v Turkey and a close defeat v Italy away is ambling through. The Danes beat us well but so would many.

Here we are learning there are no mugs around, not in our group in particular. We are probably rightfully 4th seeds and will probably finish there.

We look totally undercooked. Half the side barely play these days, including our stars.
Today has cruelly exposed this fact.

The Swiss looked a million miles better than us. The Italians could have beaten us by 5 if they needed to make up goal difference or something. Results are one thing, but performances tell a different story and if you pay close enough attention to the performances it can give you clues of what is to come.

[Wales-Bales]

It’s not loyalty, it’s appreciating that we are at a tournament I never thought I’d see us play in.

What you are describing is loyalty

[LA Bluebird]

We can argue about players all day and who looked worse than who, but for me I’m just stunned that Page watched that first US game, had days to come up with a plan and put the team out there he did today. Bordering on absolute incompetence, and when he did make a change he made like for like which had absolutely no impact on the game at all. You’d be fuming if your manager at parks level came up with that shite.

Great job getting us to the WC, but if that’s what he can do tactically on the biggest stage, it’s time to look elsewhere.

[Sparticus_Mills]

Page got it tactically wrong again, the US and Iran bypassed our midfield with ease, it's a tournament too far for our "golden generation" can't complain though, three major tournament finals appearances , including a semi final. It was fun.

[Barmy]

It’s not loyalty, it’s appreciating that we are at a tournament I never thought I’d see us play in, mixed with a bit of a sense of reality - the writing has been on the wall for Wales for some time now. Unbelievably, we’ve been in the world’s top twenty for seven years, but we’re nowhere near that level now really.

Not even close Unfortunately.
But I fear we will pay for it now. How the hell has Page earned a two year contract.
And with city as they are,
It looks like it might be back to the bad old days.

[Robin Friday's Ghost]

That's certainly the case but we don't get to the world cup to give players a swansong , we go there to compete

I think it would have been very harsh not to give Bale, Ramsey and even Allen some World Cup game time after the service they've given. But starting them - Bale and Ramsey - and leaving them on so long is crazy when neither really did enough to stay on the pitch. Loyalty is commendable but it must have its limits.

[llan bluebird]

Page should have acted like a good cornerman. Fighters don't like to admit or even know they are beaten but the team throws the towel in to save further punishment.

[Wales-Bales]

We can argue about players all day and who looked worse than who, but for me I’m just stunned that Page watched that first US game, had days to come up with a plan and put the team out there he did today. Bordering on absolute incompetence, and when he did make a change he made like for like which had absolutely no impact on the game at all. You’d be fuming if your manager at parks level came up with that shite.

Great job getting us to the WC, but if that’s what he can do tactically on the biggest stage, it’s time to look elsewhere.

I've played under a number ex-pro's including former internationals, and I know what it's like to be yanked and shat on from a dizzy height. I remember one game where I made an innocuous mistake which led to a goal and I never played for the 1st team again, no matter what I did in training. It's a tough old game unless you play for Wales under Robert Page

[Hilts]

I think it would have been very harsh not to give Bale, Ramsey and even Allen some World Cup game time after the service they've given. But starting them - Bale and Ramsey - and leaving them on so long is crazy when neither really did enough to stay on the pitch. Loyalty is commendable but it must have its limits.

Who would you have picked?

Morrell? That still wouldn't have allowed Ampadu to control a ball and pass it 5 yards.

Bale and Ramsey have carried us for years. They are past it and the limited players around them are being shown up.

[Hilts]

I've played under a number ex-pro's including former internationals, and I know what it's like to be yanked and shat on from a dizzy height. I remember one game where I made an innocuous mistake which led to a goal and I never played for the 1st team again, no matter what I did in training. It's a tough old game unless you play for Wales under Robert Page

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

10.00 am kos and beer.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I think it would have been very harsh not to give Bale, Ramsey and even Allen some World Cup game time after the service they've given. But starting them - Bale and Ramsey - and leaving them on so long is crazy when neither really did enough to stay on the pitch. Loyalty is commendable but it must have its limits.

It's a difficult balancing act . USA were difficult opponents but after another poor first half we needed energy to get a grip of that game . Bale and Ramsey were passengers imo

[Wash DC Blue]

I've played under a number ex-pro's including former internationals, and I know what it's like to be yanked and shat on from a dizzy height. I remember one game where I made an innocuous mistake which led to a goal and I never played for the 1st team again, no matter what I did in training. It's a tough old game unless you play for Wales under Robert Page

Really?

You are comparing yourself to 2 World Class players who have elevated the profile of Wales to heights never seen before.

Bonkers!!

[Hilts]

Really?

You are comparing yourself to 2 World Class players who have elevated the profile of Wales to heights never seen before.

Bonkers!!

I think hes pissed. Early ko. 😂😂😂

[Wales-Bales]

Really?

You are comparing yourself to 2 World Class players who have elevated the profile of Wales to heights never seen before.

Bonkers!!

I'm not comparing myself to anybody, just giving an example of the mindset that exists in the professional game.

[Hilts]

I'm not comparing myself to anybody, just giving an example of the mindset that exists in the professional game.

😂😂😂

What pro game and how recently was this massive injustice taken against you.?

[Bobby Dandruff]

My god, that was a painful watch and a disaster in every way.

They couldn't string two passes together, far too many long balls, wasteful in possession, kept giving the ball to Iran (with Allen at fault for the last goal). It's the worst I've seen us play in a very long time and reminded me of the bad old days.

Special mention to Ramsey, who was absolute pants.

Iran wanted it more and were deserved winners. We couldn't get the basics right and have been punished for it.

Part of the problem, is that we've come across as Plucky Little Wales and we're happy just to be at the World Cup. I think that has affected our psyche.

And the pundits - Williams and Rush were so patronising about the performance. I'd be surprised if any player is worth more than a 4 out of 10, as no one came out of that with any credit.

Gabby Logan looked a bit awkward at the end of it.

At least we can now confirm that it's time for a rebuild.

I’m sitting in Doha airport with my 3 boys waiting for our flight back to Dubai later.

What caught my eye about your post was the reference to ‘the bad old days’ as I said to my boys towards the end of the game that it was like watching Wales from years gone by when you almost did so through the fingers of your hands as they got dominated and conceded chance after chance. Horrible to witness.

Really hard to feel positive atm! :-/

[79blue]

It would have been good player management if Bale had been dropped from the starting line up. He would have been angry and comming on with 25 minutes left he would not have to conserve energy and would have something to prove.

[J R Hartley]

Really?

You are comparing yourself to 2 World Class players who have elevated the profile of Wales to heights never seen before.

Bonkers!!

He’s utterly delusional

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Youve watched football for 60 years and are still clueless after all this time. You should have taken up a different hobby.

Why ? Why are you always so abusive, rude and angry.

It's just a football message board.

[J R Hartley]

Why ? Why are you always so abusive, rude and angry.

It's just a football message board.

Oh the irony

[Wales-Bales]

😂😂😂

What pro game and how recently was this massive injustice taken against you.?

It wasn't a pro game, but the mentality was still still there. That's why I can't get my head around Page, he doesn't seem to be in control. Maybe Bale or Ramsey should be the next non-playing manager.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Iran gave us a lesson on how to play football,energy how to cross the ball and the ability to have a shoot on goal.
Well played Iran.

Iran looked like a parks outfit against England, yet they strolled through us without too much effort and could have beaten us 4-0. This wasn't just a bad performance by a very average Wales team, it was a Wales team that was virtually a 9 man team. Feel sorry for those other players who won't get another chance, and the fans who spent a small fortune to go out there. 11 fully fit, competing players could probably have won today.

[Hilts]

All this 9 man team bollox.

FFS the 2 players have carried us for years.

As if the other 9 were any better.