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Post by zenith on Mar 24, 2019 23:07:04 GMT
Bro the link is showing pirates of the Caribbean? You have to have an IP address in Wales
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Post by pendragon on Mar 24, 2019 23:14:02 GMT
Bro the link is showing pirates of the Caribbean? Lol. Don't recall Jack Sparrow being called up today... That's what's showing on BBC1 Wales now (goodness knows why as it's not a bank holiday tomorrow). Are you able to watch MotD Wales via the replay?
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Post by holmesdaleultra on Mar 24, 2019 23:21:47 GMT
Found it now on BBC iplayer sport.
Gareth Bale looks a bit like Jack Sparrow lol
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Post by holmesdaleultra on Mar 24, 2019 23:25:36 GMT
I was expecting Matondo to make an appearance today.
Who is faster Dan James or Matondo?
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Post by pendragon on Mar 24, 2019 23:32:57 GMT
Matondo - I think. From what I've read, he was said to match Sterling on pace at Manchester City. However, I'm not sure if he's quite got the eye for the goal that James has at this point in time (if you get my meaning). I'm sure Matondo will come into his own. James was a revelation today!
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Post by majorraglan on Mar 24, 2019 23:40:11 GMT
I was expecting Matondo to make an appearance today. Who is faster Dan James or Matondo? To be honest so did I. I suspect that if we had put away a few more of those chances in the first half and ended up with a 3 goal lead Giggs May well have brought him on as a direct replacement for Dan James, as it was he went for shoring up the back and midfield. I thought we played well, should have scored more but were lucky in the end that Slovakia didn’t do what Serbia did and score a late goal. If Matondo and James have the same kind of gas, then that could be a defenders worst nightmare. One gong off and the offer coming on fresh as a daisy.
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Post by welshiron on Mar 25, 2019 8:27:41 GMT
How nice to start a campaign with a win against one of our main rivals.
More positives than negatives and with so many younger players the future looks good.
Thought Ben Davies was excellent, mepham composed. Lawrence did nothing wrong either.
Allen and Smith played well together
James frightened them to death and Brooks looked good in patches.
Bale not at his best but even then he is keeping their defenders occupied. His presence alone creates more space for the other players.
Robert's was't really in the game and Wilson looked out of form but neither had bad games
Hennessey 8 Robert's 6 Lawrence 7 Mepham 7.5 Davies 8
Allen 7 Smith 8
Wilson 6 Brooks 6.5 James 8
Bale 6
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Post by alarch on Mar 25, 2019 9:00:39 GMT
How nice to start a campaign with a win against one of our main rivals. More positives than negatives and with so many younger players the future looks good. Thought Ben Davies was excellent, mepham composed. Lawrence did nothing wrong either. Allen and Smith played well together James frightened them to death and Brooks looked good in patches. Bale not at his best but even then he is keeping their defenders occupied. His presence alone creates more space for the other players. Robert's was't really in the game and Wilson looked out of form but neither had bad games Hennessey 8 Robert's 6 Lawrence 7 Mepham 7.5 Davies 8 Allen 7 Smith 8 Wilson 6 Brooks 6.5 James 8 Bale 6 Pretty much agree with all of that, although Bale I thought was very poor (Gabbidon thought he should have made way instead of James). There's an understandable desire not to knock him whilst he's down, given what he's done for the cause over the years, but taken in isolation that was a poor display by Gareth, not least for how he gave the ball away so cheaply, denying us the opportunity to build pressure. One thing in his favour is how he adds valuable defensive cover at set pieces in what was generally a very short side. He also won a fair bit of long balls down the middle - not that anything came of them - but provides a useful outlet. I'd give Bale 5.5, and I think I'm being generous. Roberts wasn't that involved in proceedings, mainly because much of our play understandably went down James' wing. But late on I thought he added valuable composure to the right side, working opportunities patiently rather than over-playing and surrendering possession needlessly. Old head on young shoulders. I'd give him 6.5.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2019 9:32:47 GMT
I know that if everyone was being honest bale wouldve come off. It was the most popular opinion after the game on the phone in wasnt it.
But I don't think we could destroy his confidence any more than subbing him to keep a 21 year old making his second appearance.
We need him firing on all cylinders for the other games. This group is lining up to be the most competitive of all.
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Post by welshiron on Mar 25, 2019 9:39:48 GMT
Agree Thought he should of taken off Wilson before James.
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Post by cadno on Mar 25, 2019 9:47:23 GMT
Fair to say Aaron Ramsey helps Bale tick?
They have a great understanding of each other's game.
Vokes would have been handy to bring on yesterday.
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Post by welshiron on Mar 25, 2019 10:29:17 GMT
We had no outfield player in their thirties yesterday and the average age of the 10 outfield players was 23.5.
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Post by kingstonred on Mar 25, 2019 10:30:20 GMT
One small gripe from yesterday's game... the massive flag over the Canton during the Anthems!!!
I've been underneath it for the last two home games, and it ruins the anthems for everyone under it. No one is really singing, they're just pissed off they can't see anything.
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Post by welshiron on Mar 25, 2019 10:33:15 GMT
There are also at least 5 other youngsters ready to come in
Ampadu 18 T Roberts 20 Woodburn 19 Rodon 21 Matondo 18
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Post by fiveattheback on Mar 25, 2019 10:36:34 GMT
Williams for James was baffling and put us under huge pressure, please don't do that again Ryan
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Post by rossyjones on Mar 25, 2019 10:45:47 GMT
Ecstatic with the win but my head went big time after the Subs. Feel like I aged about 10 years
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Post by texan on Mar 25, 2019 10:52:28 GMT
That first half was an awesome performance and pretty much the way we need to be playing going forward, it was the epitome of 1-0 going on 3-0. We should have had at least two in the bag going in at the break. A combination of (mental) fatigue, unfamiliarity and inexperience evidently contributed to a quieter second half (Which emphasises the importance of finishing your chances when you are on top!) which is to be expected with the age these kids are, but I agree this was compounded by Giggs' substitution choice. On a positive note however being under the kosh for so long will hopefully galvanise them in the long run...not good for my ticker however!
Bale was indeed poor, but he's had a poor season having pretty much been in and out of the RM side under Solari. However I have full confidence he can come back from this, he was given 90 mins by Zidane last week and scored and played well. If indeed he and Zidane are staring with a clean slate he could well be a different prospect come June.
After a 6 day training camp in May and further prep prior to the double-header in June, coupled with (hopefully) a fit Ramsey and a more on-fomr Bale, we'll hopefully see further improvement this summer. Exciting times again!
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Post by CrackityJones on Mar 25, 2019 10:54:44 GMT
If it wasn't for Hennessey we would have drawn or potentially lost in the last 15 mins.
I hope Giggs learns from that in time for June.
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Post by quetzal on Mar 25, 2019 14:14:32 GMT
If it wasn't for Hennessey we would have drawn or potentially lost in the last 15 mins. I hope Giggs learns from that in time for June. If it wasn’t for Peter Schmeichel then Man Utd would have won a lot less trophies. If it wasn’t for Goycochea Argentina wouldn’t have got to the final of Italia 90. Where do draw the line? Goalkeepers are there to do a job. I’m sure Wayne had a lot less work than he would have against a top 6 team in the Prem. I’m not a massive Giggs fan but i’m going to dream a little of my flight from Guatemala to Europe in 2020 and enjoy this victory.
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Post by erasedcitizen on Mar 25, 2019 14:19:11 GMT
If it wasn't for Hennessey we would have drawn or potentially lost in the last 15 mins. I hope Giggs learns from that in time for June. If Wilson had hit the target from his chance we'd have been out of sight before then. All ifs and buts, but we got the job done with our 2nd best player missing. I personally thought Giggs got a lot right, and I've been sceptical about him.
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Post by CrackityJones on Mar 25, 2019 14:39:32 GMT
Agree that we should have been in a more comfortable position anyway, however, the James substitution and formation change didn't work and Slovakia almost punished us.
Thankfully they didn't and we held on so I'm going to enjoy the winning start to the campaign and hope lessons were learnt in time for June.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 25, 2019 15:04:02 GMT
I'm seeing a lot of misunderstanding of Bale's role here. Playing up front on your own can be a thankless task at times. We have to get used to the fact that Bale won't be as involved in our all round play anymore, which may give the appearance that he isn't playing up to his "usual standards" which are ridiculously high. This is a positive as we have become less reliant on one man from saving us with special performances. Granted he was poorer than usual on the ball yesterday, but he can be forgiven for that in a one off. He was winning plenty of headers and making runs in behind, and creating so much space for Wilson, James and Brooks. Without him up top we may well not have seen the best of the young players yesterday.
Making runs, battling for headers, and off the ball movement often go unnoticed, but don't underestimate Bale's role in the win yesterday. What's more, when he is firing on all cylinders he'll be our most clinical player, and with him up front we will be a more efficient attacking force.
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Post by marsvolta on Mar 25, 2019 15:22:36 GMT
Just got back from Cardiff, great day in Cardiff, great win.
Nervous end to the game but three points in the bag.
Now to crash out on the sofa and nurse my poor head
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Post by majorraglan on Mar 25, 2019 19:48:31 GMT
One small gripe from yesterday's game... the massive flag over the Canton during the Anthems!!! I've been underneath it for the last two home games, and it ruins the anthems for everyone under it. No one is really singing, they're just pissed off they can't see anything. I had this happen to me in the Ninian Stand a few games back, it really annoyed me and spoilt the singing around us. I don’t think it should be happening during the anthems.
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Post by pendragon on Mar 25, 2019 22:12:49 GMT
Ecstatic with the win but my head went big time after the Subs. Feel like I aged about 10 years Same here. I hope that Ryan has now seen for himself that the dynamics changed after those substitutions. Just watching the highlights on Sky, and we had the lion's share of chances during the first half.
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Post by rushlegend on Mar 25, 2019 22:57:58 GMT
To think - Gunter, Taylor, A Williams, Chester, Ampadu, Ramsey, T Lawrence, Woodburn didn't start this game is amazing and we still won!!!
J Lawrence & Mepham reminded me of (Mertesacker & Meltzelder) in there prime for Germany - OUTSTANDING!!!
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Post by manulike on Mar 26, 2019 21:51:11 GMT
Wayne made it onto Team of the Week for the qualifiers on my app ;-)
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Post by alarch on Mar 26, 2019 22:24:31 GMT
Well though both Lawrence and Mepham played, they were given a fairly easy ride, especially in the first half, by the equally impressive Allen and Smith. Lawrence was if anything the better of the two - certainly with his cross-field diagonals.
Mepham did make a couple of mistakes which could have led to goals. The first was where he was drawn to the right from a central position to an already marked Slovakian attacker, leaving the huge space for Rusnak, I think, to advance on goal unopposed, leading to Hennessey saving with his face. The second flaw, was how he allowed the Slovakian attacker across the front of him to head towards goal late on - leading to that fluffed chance from Hancko. So, very good, but by no means perfect.
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Post by alarch on Mar 27, 2019 11:27:14 GMT
Prior to the game against Slovakia I, amongst many others, was hoping Giggs would go for a more solid defensive base to the team selection. Allen and Smith together were superb, and provided precisely the platform that was lacking against Denmark in the Nations League games. Credit to Giggs for getting it right this time, and it was good to hear him post-match talk of the value of a clean sheet. It gives me confidence going forwards that we won't be too gung ho in future and that Giggs will select any two (perhaps even three on occasion?) of Allen, Smith and Ampadu to anchor the midfield.
However, I wonder if there is still an argument that we're a bit imbalanced? On Sunday, we essentially had four dribblers in attack, in James, Bale, Wilson and Brooks. Not only that but Roberts fancies a dribble too - as do the unavailable Lawrence and Matondo. Things worked out well in the end (although we all know that Hancko should have scored late on) - but at times I thought we lacked a bit of control. In that respect Ramsey was missed - and hopefully on his return we will see a greater diversity in our attacking play.
Rather than players always looking to go it alone there is a lot to be said for building pressure (especially if the defence is already in position) through patient build-up play, to complement the fast counter-attacks. Having watched the game a second time, Connor Roberts had a good game, but was under-utilised going forwards, with both Brooks and Tyler often choosing to go on a dribble rather than playing short one-twos, which Connor excels at.
If you look at the passage of play that lead to the Hancko miskick that should have brought the game level, Slovakia had the ball continuously for nearly a minute - pressing and probing with neat short-passing triangles, before finally working the opening with Smith (understandably knackered) failing to track the runner on the inside of Davies. That's the sort of stuff we should be looking to emulate at times in matches - we certainly don't lack the technical capability to do so any more.
Counter-attacking is a strong suit of ours with our current personnel, but we don't have to be one-dimensional. A balanced approach to how we take the game to the opposition will be more productive in my opinion.
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Post by ger93 on Mar 27, 2019 11:37:59 GMT
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