View Full Version : Wales v Slovakia, Wales v Cyprus
With two home games ahead it's now crucial that we get some positive results to make our mark on the group.
However, I see that Giggs is out of the first game, at least, and Collins, Delaney and Ricketts are missing from our defence which will leave us struggling for cover at the back. We don't have the strongest of squads anyway, and strength in depth isn't something we have either, so to miss key players like the ones mentioned above won't help our chances of success at home to two of the 'weaker' teams in our group.
It looks like we only have Gabbidon and Nyatanga to choose in the centre with Duffy and possibly Bale or Ledley coming into the full back positions. We may have to use Rob Edwards as a centre back if we want to continue playing 3 central defenders in our defence, but only Tosh and his coaches know what's on offer for these two vital games.
Realistically looking at it, we ain't gonna qualify yet again, but these qualifying campaigns also sorts out our seeding groups for future competitions, so it's vital that we do well against the teams that we should be beating at home.
A couple of wins would be fantastic and a huge boost to the squad and the country as a whole, but it's going to be tough with so many key players missing through injury.
My guess as a line-up for the Slovakia game is:
-------------Jones
---Edwards-Gabbidon-Nyatanga
Duffy-----------------------Bale/Ledley
----Davies-Robinson-Koumas
--------Bellamy-Earnshaw
i shall be there, still confuses me as to why Hartson isn't in the squad.
thats not too bad a team, but a little bit weak if we need to make any subs.
Steve.............are you in Cardiff saturday for the match
No mate, couldn't be bothered going this time - rather spend my cash in the local all afternoon!
You going? How much of a crowd are they expecting?
Will let you and Rhods buy me a pint in Cardiff soon if I pop down to one of the games though! ;)
i shall be there, still confuses me as to why Hartson isn't in the squad.
thats not too bad a team, but a little bit weak if we need to make any subs.
Hartson would give us a lot more options if he was picked, and, as you say Rhods, the bench will be weak for these games especially with all the injuries we've had.
This is the squad for the two games:
Wales squad for Euro 2008 qualifiers against Slovakia (7 Oct; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 1500 BST) and Cyprus (11 Oct; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 2000 BST):
Goalkeepers: Paul Jones (QPR), Jason Brown (Blackburn), Lewis Price (Ipswich)
Defenders: Gareth Bale (Southampton), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham), Richard Duffy (Portsmouth), Rob Edwards (Wolves), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby), Ryan Valentine (Wrexham), Craig Morgan (MK Dons)
Midfielders: Mark Jones (Wrexham), Andrew Crofts (Gillingham), Simon Davies (Everton), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Jason Koumas (West Brom), Carl Robinson (Norwich), Joe Ledley (Cardiff), David Vaughan (Crewe), Paul Parry (Cardiff), Arron Davies (Yeovil), Chris Llewellyn (Wrexham)
Strikers: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool, capt in Giggs' absence), David Cotterill (Wigan), Rob Earnshaw (Norwich), Ryan Giggs (Man Utd, capt).
It doesn't leave us with much experience for the bench with only the likes of Fletcher (who's carrying an injury), Vaughan and Parry adding much experience if needed.
Although, the new lads coming in will be given a great chance to prove themselves and maybe force their way into the reckoning for future games, so I suppose it's a chance to impress which may bring the best out of some of them!
Will be tough to beat Sovakia though - I have more faith in them for the Cyprus game.
Los Rojos
04-10-06, 11:28 AM
i shall be there, still confuses me as to why Hartson isn't in the squad.
thats not too bad a team, but a little bit weak if we need to make any subs.
It'd be a much better starting line-up if you had Savage in for Robinson :miffed:
Sav and Tosh should visit a marriage guidance counsellor and just sort it out once and for all.
Los Rojos
04-10-06, 11:30 AM
It looks like we only have Gabbidon and Nyatanga to choose in the centre with Duffy and possibly Bale or Ledley coming into the full back positions. We may have to use Rob Edwards as a centre back if we want to continue playing 3 central defenders in our defence, but only Tosh and his coaches know what's on offer for these two vital games.
Didn't Robert Page get recalled for this one?
Los Rojos
04-10-06, 11:32 AM
Didn't Robert Page get recalled for this one?
Just done a search and found out he retired 3 days after being recalled. :shake:
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/28092006/4/page-ends-wales-career.html
I've been avoiding all football news since Saturday's debacle.
Just done a search and found out he retired 3 days after being recalled. :shake:
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/28092006/4/page-ends-wales-career.html
I've been avoiding all football news since Saturday's debacle.
Yeah he's now retired.
You'd have thought he'd have mentioned something to Tosh beforehand, but he may have been shocked by the call-up so probably never felt the need to tell him.
Savage would make a big difference to our midfield, but that one will never be resolved between him and tosh.
Los Rojos
04-10-06, 04:41 PM
Savage would make a big difference to our midfield, but that one will never be resolved between him and tosh.
I know and it's a shame. They're probably both as much to blame.
I know and it's a shame. They're probably both as much to blame.
Yep.
Joey Jones
04-10-06, 08:09 PM
With two home games ahead it's now crucial that we get some positive results to make our mark on the group.
However, I see that Giggs is out of the first game, at least, and Collins, Delaney and Ricketts are missing from our defence which will leave us struggling for cover at the back. We don't have the strongest of squads anyway, and strength in depth isn't something we have either, so to miss key players like the ones mentioned above won't help our chances of success at home to two of the 'weaker' teams in our group.
It looks like we only have Gabbidon and Nyatanga to choose in the centre with Duffy and possibly Bale or Ledley coming into the full back positions. We may have to use Rob Edwards as a centre back if we want to continue playing 3 central defenders in our defence, but only Tosh and his coaches know what's on offer for these two vital games.
Realistically looking at it, we ain't gonna qualify yet again, but these qualifying campaigns also sorts out our seeding groups for future competitions, so it's vital that we do well against the teams that we should be beating at home.
A couple of wins would be fantastic and a huge boost to the squad and the country as a whole, but it's going to be tough with so many key players missing through injury.
My guess as a line-up for the Slovakia game is:
-------------Jones
---Edwards-Gabbidon-Nyatanga
Duffy-----------------------Bale/Ledley
----Davies-Robinson-Koumas
--------Bellamy-Earnshaw
My guess for the team is that Tosh will revert to a 4-4-2:
Jones
Duffy Gabbidon Nyatanga Bale
Koumas Davies Robinson Ledley
Bellamy Earnie
If this is the team that starts four of them are still eligible for the U21's so it shows that Tosh's youth policy is working.
I can see Paul Parry being involved in the game at some time as he's been in good form for Cardiff this season.
What do you think the outcome of the forthcoming two games will be? Is it realistic for us to get 6 points?
I`d be a happy bunny with 6 points
Los Rojos
05-10-06, 12:02 PM
We could and perhaps should win both of these games.
I'm a bit worried about this first game as the Slovaks are a decent side.
I see that the Rangers striker (can't remember his name) has been recalled to the squad as has Nemeth, and they have talent like Marek Mintal (who The Reds were supposedly looking at a year or so ago) too. My fear is that they'll be too strong for us when they are going forward with our 'first choice' full backs out injured.
I really can't see Tosh going back to a 4-4-2 for this one but may be wrong though, and I see in the papers that there are hints that Paul Parry could be due a start being on top form for Cardiff of late.
I'd like to see us get 6 points to put us back in with a shout, but although I see us beat Cyprus I just can't see it happening against Slovakia, who I feel'll be too 'experienced' and 'technical' for us.
4 points wouldn't be bad from the two games (6 would be fantastic and a real boost the the lads), but I fear we'll get no more than 3.
I hope I'm wrong but I'm always a pessimist when it comes to Wales games. :(
Los Rojos
05-10-06, 02:31 PM
That's a good post Taffy. :handshake:
To be fair as well, you've got every right to be pessimistic. Even when we're going well, you always feel as though somehow things are likely to go pear-shaped (e.g. qualification for Euro 2004).
That's a good post Taffy. :handshake:
To be fair as well, you've got every right to be pessimistic. Even when we're going well, you always feel as though somehow things are likely to go pear-shaped (e.g. qualification for Euro 2004).
:handshake:
But don't remind me of Russia /Romania though. :(
:handshake:
But don't remind me of Russia /Romania though. :(
:cry: :cry: :cry:
The Glove
07-10-06, 03:42 PM
:haha: :haha:
Los Rojos
07-10-06, 04:18 PM
1-5 down :cry:
I can't believe this score. We're not even playing badly. Apart from Jonesy who looks like he's having his 50th birthday today not his 50th cap.
:miffed: :miffed: :confused: :rant:
1 - 5
What the .. how the... why ... oh fuck it !
:cry: :cry:
Joey Jones
08-10-06, 11:26 AM
That game yesterday was the strangest I’ve seen for a long time. Six shots on target for Slovakia and they score 5. Fair play to the outfield players they carried on until the final whistle. They did play well going forward but they didn’t have the end product.
A positive to take away from the game is how the young lads performed, we had five players still eligible for the U21’s on the field at the final whistle (Bale, Duffy, Ledley, Nyatanga & Cotterill).
I suppose there will be a knee jerk reaction now by some with regards to Toshack and if he’s the right man for the job. Anybody with a bit of common sense can see that he’s got a tough job on his hands and he’s doing the right thing by introducing the young lads. If you look forward to the next qualifiers the likes of the players I mentioned above will probably have 10/15 caps to their name and they’d still only be in their early twenties.
It seems that John Hartson is going to be called up to the squad for the Cyprus game, it’s a shame a player of his stature was playing yesterday.
What are the odds that Paul Jones had a proper haircut when he got back to his hotel?!
The Glove
08-10-06, 12:03 PM
I watched this game. Infact watched more of this than I did England. To be fair, it was never a 5-1 thrashing but fuck me I laughed. :haha:
i shall be there
:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:
I watched it with 34 other lads on a stag do and that game was a surprise highlight of the day. Raucous laughter all round!
Mintal though...he looks a right player. We were quite heavily linked with him at one point.
What a disaster of a result.
I thought we did alright in patches and tried to play football the right way. We just can't finish off chances and tried to walk the ball into hte net too often instead of having a shot, like they kept doing. :(
Jones had a nightmare 50th cap in goal and it wouldn't surprise me if that's his last, unfortunately for the lad. He looked too slow and didn't have the agility to get to some of those shots on Saturday. Give Price or Brown a chance now I say.
Bale took his free kick very well, as I predicted at the time, and was probably our best player along with Bellamy who kept on trying and working hard - didn't get any luck in front of goal though, and I just hope he gets some luck on Wednesday to give him confidence.
Bad period as a Wales fan, but with so many youngsters in the squad we just have to keep going giving them experience for the next qualifiers. Too many players not playing regular football for their clubs at the moment which is showing with their lack of match sharpness. Don't want to think what a good side could do to us at present, but just hope for some luck soon.
Won't be easy on Wednesday after the Cypriots hammered the Irish the other day.
anyone want all my cyprus tickets :crackoff:
AnfieldForever
09-10-06, 09:46 PM
I can see us winning this one 2-0 :rock:
anyone want all my cyprus tickets :crackoff:
Go and support our country you **** :handshake:
Go and support our country you **** :handshake:
haha... ok, i'll see you there :crackoff:
haha... ok, i'll see you there :crackoff:
Same place,same time as saturday :handshake:
I can see us winning this one 2-0 :rock:
:haha: :haha:
AnfieldForever
10-10-06, 08:21 PM
:haha: :haha:
If we don't.... I'll lock your account! :haha:
If we don't.... I'll lock your account! :haha:
:crackoff:
:crackoff:
feck off to the cyprus forum :crackoff:
oh, there isn't one, shame that :whatever:
feck off to the cyprus forum :crackoff:
oh, there isn't one, shame that :whatever:
Yeah, the mods wouldn't sanction a Cyprus forum in case it would signal the death of the Liverpool forum. They had a point.
AnfieldForever
10-10-06, 09:00 PM
Yeah, the mods wouldn't sanction a Cyprus forum in case it would signal the death of the Liverpool forum. They had a point.
If (and that's a big IF) you win tomorrow night then I'll create a Cyprus Forum and you can administer it.
Seeing as you can edit your own posts already I won't have to change your permissions... ;)
If (and that's a big IF) you win tomorrow night then I'll create a Cyprus Forum and you can administer it.
Seeing as you can edit your own posts already I won't have to change your permissions... ;)
:haha: :haha:
While the prospect of facing the likes of Lewin Nyatanga, Gareth Bale and David Cotterill is truly terrifying, I am sure our boys will be up to the task.
Just remind me of the score the last time Cyprus played Wales?
:haha: :haha:
While the prospect of facing the likes of Lewin Nyatanga, Gareth Bale and David Cotterill is truly terrifying, I am sure our boys will be up to the task.
Just remind me of the score the last time Cyprus played Wales?
seriosly fella, i can take a joke like the next man, but if your gonna take the piss out of wales for having plenty of unknowns, take a fucking look at the cyprus team :haha:
i haven't heard of many of them.
plus i'm glad you mentioned nyantanga and bale, both look top quality prospects for the future, both being still teens and all :rock:
Los Rojos
10-10-06, 09:23 PM
We'll win tomorrow night. I've got Saturday out of my system at last.
We played OKish against Slovakia and 5-1 was a freak result which won't happen again - just look at the stats.
We're due some luck and Bellamy is going to get it tomorrow. He'll score twice. I hope.
don't want to sound negative, and the result may have flattered them on saturday, but we were rubbish.
all this sideways passing, no end product, everyone scared to shoot.
i know its too early to comment on toshack as a coach, but to me, it appears he wants us to play like a champions league winning madrid team when we've got the squad of a TNS team.
sparky realised our potential, and played to our strengths.
plus, on a side note, the whole confrontation between him and savage pains me. they should both sort this out, he would have closed down the slovakians on saturday stopping all their crazy long range antics
rant over
c'mon Wales
don't want to sound negative, and the result may have flattered them on saturday, but we were rubbish.
all this sideways passing, no end product, everyone scared to shoot.
i know its too early to comment on toshack as a coach, but to me, it appears he wants us to play like a champions league winning madrid team when we've got the squad of a TNS team.
sparky realised our potential, and played to our strengths.
plus, on a side note, the whole confrontation between him and savage pains me. they should both sort this out, he would have closed down the slovakians on saturday stopping all their crazy long range antics
rant over
c'mon Wales
Good post..................where did you c + p that from :handshake:
cbeebies website, some clever little fcukers on there.
AnfieldForever
10-10-06, 11:07 PM
cbeebies website, some clever little fcukers on there.
That's where I get all my posts from... :handshake:
That's where I get all my posts from... :handshake:
Thought so! ;)
This Savage business pains me also. He'd make such a difference to our midfield if he was there, and he'd be the leader we obviously lack.
Tosh won't go back though. :(
Thought so! ;)
This Savage business pains me also. He'd make such a difference to our midfield if he was there, and he'd be the leader we obviously lack.
Tosh won't go back though. :(
Good for him too! He's building towards the next WC not this Euro one ... so his vision is a bit further out (Jeez ... I hope so anyway!)
Anyway good result last night ... cant ask for more than that :)
Good for him too! He's building towards the next WC not this Euro one ... so his vision is a bit further out (Jeez ... I hope so anyway!)
Anyway good result last night ... cant ask for more than that :)
The young lads did us proud, and let's hope they get a good run of games now in this qualifying campaign.
We do lack experience but against teams like Cyprus we can get away with it. I'm hoping the younger lads will have gained some valued experience before they come up against the likes of the Germans, who seem to be flying at the moment.
It was a very good reaction last night to the defeat on Saturday, and it will have done the whole squad the world of good that win.
Well done lads!
Los Rojos
12-10-06, 10:33 AM
A very good performance, particularly in the first half. I know it was only Cyprus that we beat, but there are many reasons for optimism within the squad.
We have some genuinely good players for the future in there (Bale, Nyatanga and Duffy in particular, and I was also impressed with Morgan last night) and Tosh seems to know how he wants the team to play against weaker opposition.
A special mention to Bellamy and Simon Davies who were superb again last night.
And we're up to 4th in the group. Happy Days :)
A very good performance, particularly in the first half. I know it was only Cyprus that we beat, but there are many reasons for optimism within the squad.
We have some genuinely good players for the future in there (Bale, Nyatanga and Duffy in particular, and I was also impressed with Morgan last night) and Tosh seems to know how he wants the team to play against weaker opposition.
A special mention to Bellamy and Simon Davies who were superb again last night.
And we're up to 4th in the group. Happy Days :)
The thing is, a lot of them are just kids, and they'll probably make good players one day, but is it the right thing to be blooding them now? Whippings like 5-1 at home to Slovakia is not going to be good for their confidence, and at this level I'm sure a lot of teams (especially physical ones) will relish playing against teenagers. It might be a bumpy ride for your youngsters, especially against the Germans.
Los Rojos
12-10-06, 10:54 AM
The thing is, a lot of them are just kids, and they'll probably make good players one day, but is it the right thing to be blooding them now? Whippings like 5-1 at home to Slovakia is not going to be good for their confidence, and at this level I'm sure a lot of teams (especially physical ones) will relish playing against teenagers. It might be a bumpy ride for your youngsters, especially against the Germans.
Dhavlos, we just don't have any choice but to blood the kids. There just isn't a big pool of players to choose from - that is obvious from Tosh having to consider bringing a very overweight, unfit Hartson back into the fold.
I'm a bit worried about the Germany game but fingers crossed that the senior players stay fit and the younger players start getting more regular club football.
The two games against the Rrepublic of Ireland will be interesting, especially with the way Toshack obviously wants the team to play.
Dhavlos, we just don't have any choice but to blood the kids. There just isn't a big pool of players to choose from - that is obvious from Tosh having to consider bringing a very overweight, unfit Hartson back into the fold.
I'm a bit worried about the Germany game but fingers crossed that the senior players stay fit and the younger players start getting more regular club football.
The two games against the Rrepublic of Ireland will be interesting, especially with the way Toshack obviously wants the team to play.
I agree.
Hopefully we'll have the likes of Delaney, Collins, Ricketts, Giggs and Hartson to boost the squad then Tosh will have a decent one to pick from.
The youngsters reacted well though and deserve to be included in future games - not that we have much choice though. But they proved last night that they can compete at this level. But as has been said, the Germans will be a different kind of opposition, and we need some of the more exerienced players available for that one.
i'm very excited by bale, he was even attacking well last night, he's premiership bound.
and i'll be honest, for a season ticket holder, i didn't have a clue who morgan was, can someone enlighten me?
Los Rojos
12-10-06, 08:22 PM
I think he plays for MK Dons mate. He had a good debut IMO.
And MK Dons centre back Craig Morgan, 21, made his full debut as he replaced Rob Edwards.
bloody hell, that back four is very young
bale,edwards,duffy,nyatnaaaananaga etc.
Yeah, we've a very young defence at the moment.
Morgan used to play for Wrexham I think, before moving on to MK Dons. He looked a very mature 21 year old. A solid defender, not the most cultured of players but a typical British styled centre back in my opinion.
He did well fair play to him, and adds to our options at the back.
Talking about centre backs, whatever happened to Partridge? He played a few games last year I think, or maybe the year before, but hasn't been seen at internationals for a while now.
Joey Jones
13-10-06, 09:48 AM
Yeah, we've a very young defence at the moment.
Morgan used to play for Wrexham I think, before moving on to MK Dons. He looked a very mature 21 year old. A solid defender, not the most cultured of players but a typical British styled centre back in my opinion.
He did well fair play to him, and adds to our options at the back.
Talking about centre backs, whatever happened to Partridge? He played a few games last year I think, or maybe the year before, but hasn't been seen at internationals for a while now.
Morgan's first club was Wrexham, he moved to the MK Dons at the start of last season I think.
Partridge - in JAIL!!!
AnfieldForever
13-10-06, 12:07 PM
Partridge - in JAIL!!!
Why?
Morgan's first club was Wrexham, he moved to the MK Dons at the start of last season I think.
Partridge - in JAIL!!!
Partridge's in jail? He wasn't that bad a defender, was he?!
Joey Jones
14-10-06, 07:45 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5306506.stm
This happened back in September so he's probably out by now.
Didn't know that, and heard nothing at all about the incident!
Shocked!
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