With there being a gap for a friendly in March (21st-24th), it looks as though we may have a fixture to play then. I'm not sure if UEFA's mandatory friendlies rule expands beyond the Nations League (certainly wouldn't make sense if it had to be European due to the odd number of teams left), but if we do play a friendly in March who would you like us to face?
The available European teams are Germany, Denmark, Kosovo & Serbia.
Last Edit: Dec 17, 2018 17:27:39 GMT by CrackityJones
With there being a gap for a friendly in March (21st-24th), it looks as though we may have a fixture to play then. I'm not sure if UEFA's mandatory friendlies rule expands beyond the Nations League (certainly wouldn't make sense if it had to be European due to the odd number of teams left), but if we do play a friendly in March who would you like us to face?
The available European teams are Germany, Denmark, Kosovo & Serbia.
If they are the choices Serbia at home for me. We need someone similar to Slovakia. Germany are too strong, Denmark we’ve just played, Kosovo in my opinion too weak.
Was thinking the same, but last thing we need is a loss before our opening match
I see your point but a heavy loss to Spain didn't deter us from going for the win in Dublin. They may also feel that they have a point to prove (perhaps like Albania did with us after their defeat to Scotland).
I'm thinking Serbia or Denmark (even though we've recently played them). Serbia might be a good test against Slovakia while Denmark might be good preparation for both the Slovakia and subsequent Croatia fixtures.
I hope we don't play friendlies on the spare dates. Focus totally on the game to be played. We're a small country with limited resources and if we learnt anything from euro 16 it should be about the benefits of having the freshest squad in the tournament. I know we're concerned about the integration of the kids but I feel the benefits of not playing out way those of playing.
I hope we don't play friendlies on the spare dates. Focus totally on the game to be played. We're a small country with limited resources and if we learnt anything from euro 16 it should be about the benefits of having the freshest squad in the tournament. I know we're concerned about the integration of the kids but I feel the benefits of not playing out way those of playing.
I think using the squad to play a friendly is a wise thing to do. It gives experience to those outside the first team picture, which is important to developing our squad as a whole. The more international football our young lads play at this stage, the healthier our position will be in the future. This is why I don't have a problem with the Albania result. It's only a bad thing when viewed through a short term perspective. In 5 years time when these young lads have developed and have many caps to their name, are we going to look back and be upset that we lost a friendly to Albania? I don't think so. I'm sure we lost friendlies against weak opposition when Ramsey and Bale were coming through, but do we care now? Not one bit, because it's all part of the development.
The Slovakia (H) game is on a Sunday. I can't see the FAW choosing to play a game on the Thursday night, as it doesn't give enough rest time. Slovakia incidentally are playing on Thursday at home to Hungary so will be jaded - I'd rather Giggs had a whole week to work with the players - paramount we get off to a winning start!
The Slovakia (H) game is on a Sunday. I can't see the FAW choosing to play a game on the Thursday night, as it doesn't give enough rest time. Slovakia incidentally are playing on Thursday at home to Hungary so will be jaded - I'd rather Giggs had a whole week to work with the players - paramount we get off to a winning start!
The Slovakia (H) game is on a Sunday. I can't see the FAW choosing to play a game on the Thursday night, as it doesn't give enough rest time. Slovakia incidentally are playing on Thursday at home to Hungary so will be jaded - I'd rather Giggs had a whole week to work with the players - paramount we get off to a winning start!
Would enjoy a home fixture against a non-European team. Potential for a USA clash.
This would be a good friendly against a good, competitive nation that wouldn't rinse us right before the Slovakia clash. If it's a European nation I'd rather we faced Kosovo or Serbia at home and look at playing it at Swansea or Wrexham (if up to scratch).
Would enjoy a home fixture against a non-European team. Potential for a USA clash.
This would be a good friendly against a good, competitive nation that wouldn't rinse us right before the Slovakia clash. If it's a European nation I'd rather we faced Kosovo or Serbia at home and look at playing it at Swansea or Wrexham (if up to scratch).
There is always Oman................. would improve FAW bank balance considerably.
I think the keep us fresh approach is the best one, especially given that the Slovakia game is in the middle of the domestic season, rather than being some weeks after the season has ended - which can be an issue. There might be a case for the equivalent of a B international against weak opposition (why not Oman?), with a short run out for the seniors from the bench at most. I can't see it happening though.