I can't get my head around why two internationally -reknowned footballers aged 31 and 33, could be so completely anonymous against average opponents for 90 minutes. When you're legs are going, you're off the pace, yes, the game is a struggle. But neither Bale or Ramsey could said to 'struggling' yesterday, they looked completely frozen.Originally Posted by the other bob wilson
Which brings me to my point. Yesterday was also a very sad day for all the players, many - maybe all - who may never go to another World Cup. As fellow professional footballers I wonder what their private thoughts might be. I think Bale, Ramsey, even Joe Allen possibly, have been nailed on to play whatever the circumstances, injury permitting - not to have played Bale or Ramsey for say, 45 minutes, would have been almost sacrilege to the 'together stronger' concept, and the media hype around Bale especially. But sadly, I don't think it was ever going to happen. In normal circumstances Bale and/or Ramsey would have been subbed at the latest by half time, but Page neither commands the authority, has the confidence, or probably both, to do that.
When all's said and done, this is a professional game being played at top level, but sentiment won the day.
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