FT: KAZAKHSTAN 0 - 1 WALES. Match thread

[bobh]

Surely if we win all of our games...we will win the group?...no hope about it

If I've worked it out correctly -

We have 10 points, 3 games to play.
Belgium have 7 points, but 5 games to play.

So if We win all 3, we'll have 19
Belgium win 4 (lose to us) they'll have 19


North Mac have 8 points, 4 to play (inc us)

So we could miss out on gd.

[Pearcey3]

If I've worked it out correctly -

We have 10 points, 3 games to play.
Belgium have 7 points, but 5 games to play.

So if We win all 3, we'll have 19
Belgium win 4 (lose to us) they'll have 19


North Mac have 8 points, 4 to play (inc us)

So we could miss out on gd.

Yep. Just come on here to say this. Realistically Belgium will win the group even If they lose to us.

[jon1959]

If I've worked it out correctly -

We have 10 points, 3 games to play.
Belgium have 7 points, but 5 games to play.

So if We win all 3, we'll have 19
Belgium win 4 (lose to us) they'll have 19


North Mac have 8 points, 4 to play (inc us)

So we could miss out on gd.

Belgium and N Macedonia still have to play each other (10 October).

[Wales-Bales]

Belgium and N Macedonia still have to play each other (10 October).

I was just about to say that

[Des Parrot]

Your 10th senior game, is your international debut, and you’re MotM. Oh by the way, you’re still a teenager.

Take that in.

[MOZZER2]

54.5% - Craig Bellamy has won 54.5% of his matches as Wales manager (6 out of 11), the best win percentage of any permanent Welsh manager in history.

[FormerlyJohnnyBreadhead]

Jordan James has played zero minutes at club level this season.

That's always been a problem with Wales though. If we didn't pick players because they aren't getting minutes at their clubs, we'd never get a decent team out. And we know from Rubin's previous omission that it's a bullshit excuse anyway.

Could Jordan James have done the full 90? Probably not. But it was an important, must-win game, so surely you take the risk and give him an hour, and then bring Sheehan on when he tires. If you're fit enough to be on the bench, you're fit enough to play and all that.

It also doesn't explain why Brooks only got a cameo at the end when he's having a really impressive season for a top half Premier League team. Maybe he doesn't run around as much as Cullen, I don't know.

[City123]

That's always been a problem with Wales though. If we didn't pick players because they aren't getting minutes at their clubs, we'd never get a decent team out. And we know from Rubin's previous omission that it's a bullshit excuse anyway.

Could Jordan James have done the full 90? Probably not. But it was an important, must-win game, so surely you take the risk and give him an hour, and then bring Sheehan on when he tires. If you're fit enough to be on the bench, you're fit enough to play and all that.

It also doesn't explain why Brooks only got a cameo at the end when he's having a really impressive season for a top half Premier League team. Maybe he doesn't run around as much as Cullen, I don't know.

I'm sure Bellamy could probably provide a reasonably good, eloquent answer as to why Cullen & Sheehan were selected ahead of Brooks & J.James. He'd probably go on and talk about his "profiles" etc but at the end of the day we're talking about 2 far superior players missing out here, one of them a regular for a good PL side! They may not perfectly fit the role in the way Cullen might (allegedly), but they bring a hell of a lot more on the pitch

[City123]

Bellamy's level of football or the level of the opposition?

Both!

I think he has his qualities but they aren't enough to cover up the complete lack of athleticism, he just can't cover ground and its a big reason Kazakhstan would run through our midfield at will

He's neat and tidy but that's about it, very one paced

[the other bob wilson]

Dylan Lawlor announces himself as Wales cling to three vital points.

https://mauveandyellowarmy.net/

[olderblue]

Dylan Lawlor announces himself as Wales cling to three vital points.

https://mauveandyellowarmy.net/

Lawlor was superb, no question about it, as to your reference about the subs improving midfield, I think we could have done that, had we been picked, they were woeful, and Cullen is a cart horse
Bellamy has done so much as the team manager, it’s right that he gets the plaudits, but picking that pair after not selecting R Colwill was poor judgment, he needs to swallow his pride and admit that

[Trigger]

Lawlor was superb, no question about it, as to your reference about the subs improving midfield, I think we could have done that, had we been picked, they were woeful, and Cullen is a cart horse
Bellamy has done so much as the team manager, it’s right that he gets the plaudits, but picking that pair after not selecting R Colwill was poor judgment, he needs to swallow his pride and admit that

Granted I was trying to work with the match in the background so didn't watch it as closely as you may have. Was Cullen that bad though? Seemed to play an important part in the goal at least.

[Wales-Bales]

That's always been a problem with Wales though. If we didn't pick players because they aren't getting minutes at their clubs, we'd never get a decent team out. And we know from Rubin's previous omission that it's a bullshit excuse anyway.

Could Jordan James have done the full 90? Probably not. But it was an important, must-win game, so surely you take the risk and give him an hour, and then bring Sheehan on when he tires. If you're fit enough to be on the bench, you're fit enough to play and all that.

I don't think James has been training much, he was busy with a transfer and moving countries, etc.

[Tuerto]

Granted I was trying to work with the match in the background so didn't watch it as closely as you may have. Was Cullen that bad though? Seemed to play an important part in the goal at least.

Hasn't Cullen done pretty well under Bellamy? i don't get to watch much football these days, but i read reports, and as far as i can see he's been pretty good for Wales under Bellamy and consistent for Swansea.

[Hilts]

Hasn't Cullen done pretty well under Bellamy? i don't get to watch much football these days, but i read reports, and as far as i can see he's been pretty good for Wales under Bellamy and consistent for Swansea.

I think hes a tidy enough player but not alongside Wilson and Sheehan. Kazakhstan the 114th ranked side in the world were going through our midfield with ease. If they can do that a better international side won't let us off.

[Tuerto]

I think hes a tidy enough player but not alongside Wilson and Sheehan. Kazakhstan the 114th ranked side in the world were going through our midfield with ease. If they can do that a better international side won't let us off.

I'll take your word for it, although from what i can gather, we're not blessed for defensive midfielders with a brain (within the national side) Although you may think differently or know differently. Bellamy obviously wants players to do certain things during a game. According to what i have read on here, we were poor against Kazakhstan, although previous to that we have been good under Bellamy and we go out to win every game. I'm not defending him, i don't really care enough about Wales to be honest, although i do think that he's done a good job so far.

[the other bob wilson]

I'll take your word for it, although from what i can gather, we're not blessed for defensive midfielders with a brain (within the national side) Although you may think differently or know differently. Bellamy obviously wants players to do certain things during a game. According to what i have read on here, we were poor against Kazakhstan, although previous to that we have been good under Bellamy and we go out to win every game. I'm not defending him, i don't really care enough about Wales to be honest, although i do think that he's done a good job so far.

The argument that Rubin Colwill is unlucky in that he plays in a position where Wales are strong has merit to it, but I think you could say the same about Cullen who is an attacking player at heart and yet was asked to play in a way which had defensive responsibilities on Thursday and I think he struggled despite playing a big part in our goal.

It's right to say that Jordan James has not been getting much game time lately, but neither has Josh Sheehan and that didn't stop Bellamy in. picking him for the full ninety minutes despite him being a part of a struggling Welsh midfield.

A central midfield of Sheehan and Cullen looked a problem beforehand and it turned out to be one in practice. I reckon this was Craig Bellamy's least impressive Welsh team selection and performance so far - he's still well in credit, but, for the first time I'd say, he struggled to find convincing anserrs during the ninety minutes and the impression I got was that this had at lleast something to do with a degree of stubborness on his part.

[Tuerto]

The argument that Rubin Colwill is unlucky in that he plays in a position where Wales are strong has merit to it, but I think you could say the same about Cullen who is an attacking player at heart and yet was asked to play in a way which had defensive responsibilities on Thursday and I think he struggled despite playing a big part in our goal.

It's right to say that Jordan James has not been getting much game time lately, but neither has Josh Sheehan and that didn't stop Bellamy in. picking him for the full ninety minutes despite him being a part of a struggling Welsh midfield.

A central midfield of Sheehan and Cullen looked a problem beforehand and it turned out to be one in practice. I reckon this was Craig Bellamy's least impressive Welsh team selection and performance so far - he's still well in credit, but, for the first time I'd say, he struggled to find convincing anserrs during the ninety minutes and the impression I got was that this had at lleast something to do with a degree of stubborness on his part.

I didn't see the game, but by the sounds of things, we struggled defensively in midfield, is that right? I don't really know who is available to play that role for Wales, so i can't give an opinion on what would have been a better option or options in a defensive role. You and others are more clued up, so what would you have done differently to Bellamy? Rubin should have been in the squad, but he isn't a defensive player positionally, he works very hard off the ball, although his natural instinct is to attack and shoot. He may have been a better option, i can't really say.

[BLUETIT]

I didn't see the game, but by the sounds of things, we struggled defensively in midfield, is that right? I don't really know who is available to play that role for Wales, so i can't give an opinion on what would have been a better option or options in a defensive role. You and others are more clued up, so what would you have done differently to Bellamy? Rubin should have been in the squad, but he isn't a defensive player positionally, he works very hard off the ball, although his natural instinct is to attack and shoot. He may have been a better option, i can't really say.

What’s Savage playing like these days ?

Didn’t he make it to Bellamy’s earlier squads ?

[Tuerto]

What’s Savage playing like these days ?

Didn’t he make it to Bellamy’s earlier squads ?

God knows. I really don't get that enthused over Wales. I usually watch the games, generally enjoy them, then forget about them. I know that Savage was a bit of a prospect, but no idea what he's doing now

[Hilts]

God knows. I really don't get that enthused over Wales. I usually watch the games, generally enjoy them, then forget about them. I know that Savage was a bit of a prospect, but no idea what he's doing now

I dont think I've ever seen him play. Wasn't he at Forest Green?

[the other bob wilson]

I didn't see the game, but by the sounds of things, we struggled defensively in midfield, is that right? I don't really know who is available to play that role for Wales, so i can't give an opinion on what would have been a better option or options in a defensive role. You and others are more clued up, so what would you have done differently to Bellamy? Rubin should have been in the squad, but he isn't a defensive player positionally, he works very hard off the ball, although his natural instinct is to attack and shoot. He may have been a better option, i can't really say.

Charlie Crew is suited to play defensive midfield and, as something of a midfield all rounder, Joel Colwill would have been more natural in the role Cullen played than he was. As for Ruben, he was very good in a deeper role against a virtually full strength Villa side last season. Bellamy appears to trust Cullen more than he does Rubin and Jordan James, who he’s left on the bench quite a bit since taking over, but I struggle to see why that trust should stretch to the sort of role he had on Thursday.

[Lord Worcester]

Charlie Crew is suited to play defensive midfield and, as something of a midfield all rounder, Joel Colwill would have been more natural in the role Cullen played than he was. As for Ruben, he was very good in a deeper role against a virtually full strength Villa side last season. Bellamy appears to trust Cullen more than he does Rubin and Jordan James, who he’s left on the bench quite a bit since taking over, but I struggle to see why that trust should stretch to the sort of role he had on Thursday.

Wales’ success or otherwise for the 26WC boils down to Belgium at home. Even if it is ‘only’ to secure one of the best 2nd spots. For the play off rankings far better to be in the best 2nd pot than a nations league qualifier. Therefore for that game he has to have his best players on the pitch. Both James’s and Brooke’s are imho. Cullen and Sheehan most definitely are not. I agree with your observation on CB stubbornness.

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Wales’ success or otherwise for the 26WC boils down to Belgium at home. Even if it is ‘only’ to secure one of the best 2nd spots. For the play off rankings far better to be in the best 2nd pot than a nations league qualifier. Therefore for that game he has to have his best players on the pitch. Both James’s and Brooke’s are imho. Cullen and Sheehan most definitely are not. I agree with your observation on CB stubbornness.

It actually boils down to the last game, against North Macedonia

[Pearcey3]

What’s Savage playing like these days ?

Didn’t he make it to Bellamy’s earlier squads ?

Did well last season. A bit quiet so far this season and doesn't justify being in the Welsh squad.