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Post by barneycat1 on Feb 16, 2023 20:01:05 GMT
Anyone know anything about the Croatian spectator situation? Is the schoolchildren thing happening or did they get a reprieve from UEFA>? They got a fine and have to have a very small part of the stadium empty, or “school parties seated there”. No punishment at all really. |
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Post by cadno on Feb 16, 2023 20:02:07 GMT
3-0 Croatia
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Post by barneycat1 on Feb 16, 2023 20:16:00 GMT
0-1
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 18, 2023 23:53:38 GMT
Been a few changes since I last posted a squad, Allen retiring and a few players no longer playing regularly or injured. Here's a revised 26-man squad, again with the focus being on players who are currently playing regularly;
GK: Ward, Hennessey, A.Davies
CB: Mepham, Rodon, B.Davies, Cabango, Lockyer
FB/WB: Neco, Connor, Poole, Burns
CM: Ampadu, Morrell, Levitt, J.James
AM: Ramsey, Wilson, Cooper, Broadhead
FW: Brennan, Moore, D.James, Collins, Bradshaw, Mullin
I expect this team to start;
Ward
Connor-Mepham-Rodon-Davies
Ampadu-Morrell
Wilson-Ramsey-Brennan
Moore
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Post by welwyn on Feb 20, 2023 8:26:17 GMT
Terry Taylor is the only player I would add to that.
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Post by welshrover on Feb 20, 2023 10:06:32 GMT
Maxwell getting a lot of work to do at Blackpool.
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Post by cadno on Feb 20, 2023 11:48:05 GMT
Listening to the Gary Neville podcast, he was talking about Leicester’s centre back partnership and how they don’t compliment each other very well. With one liking to hold his ground and mark zonal and the other likes to step out. To be honest I think Mepham-Rodon-Davies hasn’t looked steady at all, they’re a bit all over the shop, and our better results have tended to have Ampadu as one of the centre-backs. I wonder if Lockyer is a player that can bring balance, meaning one of Rodon or Mepham gets dropped, as we probably need Ampadu in midfield now. It’s a real shame James Chester’s picked up some really bad injuries, what a class act he was for us, I really miss him in a Wales shirt.
Otherwise we really need someone like Matt Smith to step up to Morrel’s level, allowing Ampadu to steady our back 4 or 5.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 20, 2023 11:51:51 GMT
It's a good point. I feel Terry Taylor can be the player to take Ampadu's role as a destroyer, allowing Ampadu to drop back moving forwards
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 20, 2023 11:52:14 GMT
Terry Taylor is the only player I would add to that. Would be a shoe in for me, were it not for the fact that he's injured! |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 20, 2023 11:56:03 GMT
Maxwell getting a lot of work to do at Blackpool. Would be all for calling him up instead of Davies. Does he want to come along and be 3rd choice tho? |
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Post by cadno on Feb 20, 2023 12:09:40 GMT
allezlesrouges cool, I haven’t seen Terry Taylor play at all, just wiki’d him and see he was born in Scotland and has represented them as well. Is he deffo committed to Wales? Sorry, I know this has probably already been discussed haha. Scotland already have enough class acts in midfield anyway!
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 20, 2023 13:22:55 GMT
Yeah it was well publicised at the time that we were chasing someone from the Scottish set up, when it came out that it was him and we saw that he was born in Scotland and was currently involved in the Scottish youth set up I think we all thought it was unlikely he'd come over to us Then he did come over and quite quickly became captain of the U21s, no suggestion of him wanting to change back, he's committed. Here's an interview after his first game for us against Bosnia www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsDhXe7kz9k&ab_channel=FAWales |
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Post by dragonsoccer on Feb 20, 2023 13:40:04 GMT
From the top of my head without checking - Terry was in a wales u15/u16 squad then a Scotland U17 squad before returning to Wales
He is out for at least 2 months due to injury
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Post by bale-droed on Feb 23, 2023 13:58:54 GMT
Lovren retired!
Should make it easier for either Bradshaw or Mullin to get a hat trick
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 23, 2023 16:42:54 GMT
I'm gutted they qualified for the Nations League finals, as that might have meant a Modric retirement. Watching him the other night at Anfield and he was unbelievable, applauded off by the Liverpool fans when he was substituted
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Post by manulike on Feb 23, 2023 16:55:33 GMT
Lovren retired! Should make it easier for either Bradshaw or Mullin to get a hat trick I'm gutted they qualified for the Nations League finals, as that might have meant a Modric retirement. Watching him the other night at Anfield and he was unbelievable, applauded off by the Liverpool fans when he was substituted Modric is alright, be he ain't no Joe Morrell.
#WeGotThis
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Post by cogancoronation31 on Feb 23, 2023 19:46:33 GMT
Joško Gvardiol had pretty good game for RB Leipzig last night against Man City. He will need to be watched when we play Croatia.
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Post by cadno on Feb 24, 2023 9:53:37 GMT
Hennessey
Connor Ampadu Rodon Davies
Brennan Rambo Morrell James
Bradshaw Moore
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Post by jbt95 on Feb 24, 2023 9:55:50 GMT
Ward needs to play, he’s going to be our number one for the next 5 years minimum. Love everything Wayne has done but we need to look forward. Other than that I would like to see that starting line up.
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Post by cadno on Feb 24, 2023 10:07:04 GMT
Fair enough, Wayne is safer between the sticks and more likely to get us a result I think, but not too fussed if Ward starts! One problem is when our midfield starts tiring who is there to come on realistically  Smith, Joniesta, Wilson I guess? |
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Post by iot on Feb 24, 2023 11:19:09 GMT
Hennessey Connor Ampadu Rodon Davies Brennan Rambo Morrell James Bradshaw Moore As Mike Bassett would say, let's play Four-Four-F***ing Two! I disagree with quite a few things here. I'm honestly concerned if the best we can now do is an old-school (and very average relative to Croatia and Turkey) little and large combo up front. Think we'd just basically see Croatia dominating the game with those two stranded up front. I think we'll need to be a lot more dynamic than that if we're to cause them problems. This would also see us play our three best players out of position. Davies is much less effective as a left back as we all know. Ramsey's influence will be significantly limited as one of two holding midfielder, and I don't think Brennan's ever played as a wide midfielder - he doesn't track back well and he's most effective when he tries to run in behind defenses, rather than collecting the ball in deeper positions - he's a modern wide forward / split-forward. |
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Post by cadno on Feb 24, 2023 11:25:57 GMT
Yeah fair enough, you’ve convinced me that’s not a great line up 😂 Brennan can play a traditional right wing role I’m sure, but we could be caught out with this set up! Maybe a 451 /433 with Moore up top, Amps into midfield with Morrell and Rambo to begin with
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Post by cadno on Feb 24, 2023 11:41:55 GMT
If we go with in form players / proven at intl level:
Hennessey
Connor Lockyer Mepham Davies
Ampadu Morrell
Brennan Rambo James
Moore
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Post by iot on Feb 24, 2023 11:54:18 GMT
Yeah, i would be tempted with that although still swaying towards a back 5 personally
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Post by cadno on Feb 24, 2023 11:58:42 GMT
Yeah this might be our best option, it’s a shame Neco isn’t left footed, it would bring such a good balance to our usual back 5. That’s why I like RND there if available, not as talented as Neco but has an engine and decent delivery with his left foot
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Post by fiveattheback on Feb 24, 2023 12:00:53 GMT
Surely Neco switches to rwb in that case and Roberts drops out?
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 24, 2023 13:03:55 GMT
Hennessey Connor Ampadu Rodon Davies Brennan Rambo Morrell James Bradshaw Moore As Mike Bassett would say, let's play Four-Four-F***ing Two! I disagree with quite a few things here. I'm honestly concerned if the best we can now do is an old-school (and very average relative to Croatia and Turkey) little and large combo up front. Think we'd just basically see Croatia dominating the game with those two stranded up front. I think we'll need to be a lot more dynamic than that if we're to cause them problems. This would also see us play our three best players out of position. Davies is much less effective as a left back as we all know. Ramsey's influence will be significantly limited as one of two holding midfielder, and I don't think Brennan's ever played as a wide midfielder - he doesn't track back well and he's most effective when he tries to run in behind defenses, rather than collecting the ball in deeper positions - he's a modern wide forward / split-forward. Strongly disagree. The difference between a LCB in Conte's system, and a LB in a 4 back formation is miniscule. He's great at both imo. He just put in a MOTM as a LWB against West Ham too, so he can definitely do it as a LB If we decide a 4 back formation is the best way forwards then we have to play Davies as a LB, and I think he'd continue being one of our better performers as a LB too |
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Post by fiveattheback on Feb 24, 2023 14:01:31 GMT
I think people are getting carried away with this "Davies isn't a left back" stuff, he was a Premier League left back for years, he's more than good enough to play there at international level
Left centre back may be his best position, but it is a niche position that limits how we can play. I can understand changing shape to get the very best out of an exceptional attacker, but should we really limit ourselves to get the best out of Ben Davies? I'm not so sure
I think a back 4 with Ampadu sitting in front of them is the way to go in Croatia, if we play the way we did in the World Cup then we'll get ripped apart in midfield
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Post by iot on Feb 24, 2023 14:25:29 GMT
Strongly disagree. The difference between a LCB in Conte's system, and a LB in a 4 back formation is miniscule. He's great at both imo. He just put in a MOTM as a LWB against West Ham too, so he can definitely do it as a LB If we decide a 4 back formation is the best way forwards then we have to play Davies as a LB, and I think he'd continue being one of our better performers as a LB too Sorry, but that's just plain wrong. The difference between LCB deployed by Conte and LB is not miniscule at all. At LCB, Davies' role is much more about distribution whereas as a LB he needs carry the ball and offer an attacking / creative outlet - something he's not the best at. It's also a very different role defensively. Davies was getting absolutely slated by Spurs fans before Conte started using him as a LCB, and they were all amazed by his transformation after moving into the LCB position (all us Welsh fans obviously already knew he was a great LCB). There's a good reason why Spurs fans have had such a different view of Davies when he played at LB vs how they've perceived him since his move infield. He was a very average LB. Moreover, he's been poor / ineffective for us as a LB more often than not in his most recent performances there - from the game and a half against England and Iran at the World Cup, to his performances at Euro 2020, lots of his performances under Giggs too (I remember he was poor for that double-header in Croatia and Hungary for example). Then think about his best displays - the Ukraine game, his Euro 16 performances where he was genuinely one of the best defenders at the tournament. There is no way he could have hit those levels as a left back. Yes, he played well at LWB last time out - but that's balanced against many more ineffective performances as a LB/LWB for Spurs and us in recent years. It's a very different skillset and LCB matches Davies' best attributes perfectly - a very intelligent defender, very good in the air for his size, and great distribution, whereas he really lacks pace and isn't the best of crossers. I agree with you if we do move to a back 4 he's still our best option at LB, but it's still a big drop-off from what he provides at LCB. |
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Post by iot on Feb 24, 2023 14:40:35 GMT
Strongly disagree. The difference between a LCB in Conte's system, and a LB in a 4 back formation is miniscule. He's great at both imo. He just put in a MOTM as a LWB against West Ham too, so he can definitely do it as a LB If we decide a 4 back formation is the best way forwards then we have to play Davies as a LB, and I think he'd continue being one of our better performers as a LB too I think people are getting carried away with this "Davies isn't a left back" stuff, he was a Premier League left back for years, he's more than good enough to play there at international level Left centre back may be his best position, but it is a niche position that limits how we can play. I can understand changing shape to get the very best out of an exceptional attacker, but should we really limit ourselves to get the best out of Ben Davies? I'm not so sure I think a back 4 with Ampadu sitting in front of them is the way to go in Croatia, if we play the way we did in the World Cup then we'll get ripped apart in midfield I'm not sure many people are claiming he isn't a left back, just that he's a far better lcb. He's generally struggled at left back for spurs. Obviously they're a top-6 prem side, so he's definitely prem level at left back, but just not top 6 level. Whereas at LCB, he genuinely is a top-6 prem level player. Yeah obviously we can't revolve the team around a left centre back, but obviously playing our best players in their best positions is an important factor! I personally this a 532 is our best formation and system against better quality sides. It's brought us our best performances in recent years - I think we need to replicate what we did out in Prague. It allows us to play Neco as a wing back, allows Ampadu to sit in midfield alongside Morrell, and Ramsey playing in his best position just ahead of them. And it gets the best out of Brennan on the break up front next to Moore, who also does plenty of running and gives us a hold up option. Ward Mepham-Rodon-Davies Roberts-Ampdau-Morrell-Neco Rambo Brennan-Moore |
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Smith, Joniesta, Wilson I guess?