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Post by cadno on Mar 10, 2023 13:25:49 GMT
He’s not good enough but we don’t have much choice! I’d have Sheehan, Neco and Joniesta ahead of Vaulks as an option to come on in midfield
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Post by cadno on Mar 10, 2023 13:33:39 GMT
First 11
Hennessey
Connor Mepham Rodon Davies
Rambo Ampadu Morrell
Brennan Moore James
Potentially after subs
Hennessey
Connor Mepham Rodon Davies
Neco* Ampadu Morrell
Brennan Bradshaw* Sorba*
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 10, 2023 13:45:58 GMT
He’s not good enough but we don’t have much choice! I’d have Sheehan, Neco and Joniesta ahead of Vaulks as an option to come on in midfield Where's Sheehan at in terms of minutes? I knew he had an injury but wasn't sure if he'd been a regular for Bolton again? Would much prefer him to Vaulks personally |
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Post by fiveattheback on Mar 10, 2023 14:17:59 GMT
There's a Welsh midfielder playing regularly for the team top of that division who was on standby for our World Cup squad I just don't really get why Savage is the one picked out by a few to be called up considering he's not done anything and Vaulks is right there. Yes we've picked youngsters in the past but generally not for qualifiers, most of them would have come in for a friendly or Nations League campaign and we're hardly in the position to take players for "experience". As it stands we're down to Ampadu and Morrell as capped defensive minded midfielders in these prospective squads. An injury in defence or midfield and all of a sudden we're turning to the bench for a midfielder and we've got teenagers staring back. It is a shame that some of the midfield options are injured, but I don't see how people who were calling for an MJ Williams or Lee Evans due to their experience/age can overlook Vaulks in favour of Charlie Savage. It just seems like people want the new thing. I'm not saying we should be selecting Savage over Vaulks, but I think there's more to the selection decision than simply looking at what level they're playing at and the experience they have at that level. We obviously also need to look at what type of midfielders they are and who best aligns with what we're looking for. I'm personally very sceptical about whether Vaulks has the skillset to do the type of job we need. He's always had a strong whiff of Andy King about him where he has no clear role and struggles to influence games. Add to that a shocking first touch - I remember his last game against Czech where he conceded several fouls after desperately trying to make up for his poor touch. He was terrible when he started out in Croatia in the Euro 2020 qualifiers where he had zero impact on the game. I don't think he's someone who can sit deep and he often goes missing as an 8. Savage is a bit of an unknown quantity but we do know he's the right type of midfielder to do a job in a deeper role - someone who likes to get stuck in and has a decent, if simple passing game. Obviously there's a massive question mark around whether he can do it at a high enough level against international opposition, but I don't think it would be as insane as you're making out to go for him over Vaulks. The level they're playing at should play a large role though, particularly if you've got two guys at the opposite ends of the same division For me this taking them for the experience stuff is nonsense in the context of qualifiers. Sure do it in the Nations League as we have in the past, but these are huge games in terms of not just the group but psychologically after Bale's retirement. We should be putting wins first here, not bringing someone along for the ride. For Savage it's probably better for his own development to allow him to stay, train and play with his club rather than take him out for 2 weeks for experience. Vaulks isn't the best player, he isn't a particularly enjoyable one to watch, but if Morrell or Ampadu went down injured I'd be much happier turning to the bench and seeing Vaulks than two uncapped midfielders in James & Savage or trying to shoehorn someone else in there because we only took them along for the experience |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 10, 2023 14:47:20 GMT
fiveattheback in that scenario I'd drop Ramsey back and use someone else in attacking mid position If we get another injury after that I just think we're screwed whether we're putting on Vaulks or Jordan James - especially against Croatia In my mind, Jordan James who has 50+ Championship appearances at 18 probably has more about him than Vaulks So whilst I'd primarily be using him as an opportunity for a youngster rather than expecting him to save the game for us, I would expect he's more likely to do something good than Vaulks
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Post by cadno on Mar 10, 2023 15:52:08 GMT
He’s not good enough but we don’t have much choice! I’d have Sheehan, Neco and Joniesta ahead of Vaulks as an option to come on in midfield Where's Sheehan at in terms of minutes? I knew he had an injury but wasn't sure if he'd been a regular for Bolton again? Would much prefer him to Vaulks personally He hasn’t played much, but started their last game and played 75 minutes or so. He could be useful to bring on for the last 15/20. Joniesta or Neco would be my other 2 options. Wilson potentially |
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Post by iot on Mar 10, 2023 17:17:08 GMT
Finding it interesting that the usual suspects are dismissing Vaulks on the back of two games against tough opponents in Croatia and the Czechs. I would say a third of our players, including the likes of Bale, Ramsey, Allen etc have struggled a lot against equal or superior opponents. He's done ok in his other caps, and is more than capable of doing a job against your Latvia's and Armenia's. I don't think we can call up Smith again, hardly plays for a poor MK Dons side. The other options for that area of the park are Jordan James, Savage, Ryan Howley, Sheehan, Lowery, although none of them are proper deep lying centre midfielders don't think. There must surely be an uncovered dual qualifier centre mid amongst the championship and League 1 somewhere. To my mind, the only decent game he's had was his debut against T&T. All his other appearances for us have ranged from mediocre to terrible. He wouldn't be dismissed for not performing against superior opposition, it would be on the basis that he doesn't offer enough against any opposition. I disagree that he's more than capable against Latvia and Armenia. I think there's a very high probability that we could go through the 90 against Latvia or Armenia without anyone noticing Vaulks on the pitch, aside from when he lunges in studs up after losing the ball following a terrible touch. That's my overriding memory of his appearances for us. I've also watched him enough at club level to know he has an Andy King like tendency of going missing in games. Whether we have a better alternative is another question entirely. But I wouldn't dismiss the merits of opting for a less experienced, but potentially better player either. |
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Post by dai on Mar 10, 2023 17:24:35 GMT
Really? Apart from Cardiff, he's been absolutely adored at every club, especially his work ethic and contribution, surely that disproves the idea that he goes missing in games? He never worked out for Cardiff, however I think the problem lies with the club more than the player there as seen with Colwill and others.
I've seen many Sheffield fans commenting online how they don't want him called up for Wales anyway as if he gets injured they have no one good enough to replace him with.
Sadly the cupboard is very bare, and I do think Vaulks is one of the better options.
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Post by marsvolta on Mar 10, 2023 17:47:43 GMT
Not that he was realistically in the running for this squad,Tom Lawrence is out for the season
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Post by welshwhite on Mar 10, 2023 18:55:18 GMT
Where's Sheehan at in terms of minutes? I knew he had an injury but wasn't sure if he'd been a regular for Bolton again? Would much prefer him to Vaulks personally He hasn’t played much, but started their last game and played 75 minutes or so. He could be useful to bring on for the last 15/20. Joniesta or Neco would be my other 2 options. Wilson potentially Actually started 3 out of the last 4 games, and scored a lovely winner against Port Vale. Looking fitter by the game but looks way off match sharpness mentally after a horrible injury and lay off. Getting some stick from the forum warriors for some understandably slack passing and indecisiveness on the ball. Think it's way too early for an international recall unfortunately. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 10, 2023 19:02:57 GMT
I think some players just aren't cut out for international football, sometimes it's a style thing. It works the other way too where players at a lower level adapt well to international football
Morrell is a good example of this, always turning in good performances for us despite mostly playing in League One or Two
On the other hand Vaulks has never looked comfortable at international football despite mostly playing at Championship level
Would personally rather see what Jordan James can do, at 18 he's a real prospect
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 10, 2023 19:06:57 GMT
He hasn’t played much, but started their last game and played 75 minutes or so. He could be useful to bring on for the last 15/20. Joniesta or Neco would be my other 2 options. Wilson potentially Actually started 3 out of the last 4 games, and scored a lovely winner against Port Vale. Looking fitter by the game but looks way off match sharpness mentally after a horrible injury and lay off. Getting some stick from the forum warriors for some understandably slack passing and indecisiveness on the ball. Think it's way too early for an international recall unfortunately. If all Welsh Bolton players were fit & firing, how would you rank them in terms of how they'd do in the Welsh squad? Without having watched them too much I'd say; 1) John 2) Sheehan 3) MJ 4) Jones 5) Isgrove |
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Post by welshwhite on Mar 10, 2023 20:20:08 GMT
Actually started 3 out of the last 4 games, and scored a lovely winner against Port Vale. Looking fitter by the game but looks way off match sharpness mentally after a horrible injury and lay off. Getting some stick from the forum warriors for some understandably slack passing and indecisiveness on the ball. Think it's way too early for an international recall unfortunately. If all Welsh Bolton players were fit & firing, how would you rank them in terms of how they'd do in the Welsh squad? Without having watched them too much I'd say; 1) John 2) Sheehan 3) MJ 4) Jones 5) Isgrove 1) Jones - really good Pro can play across the entire back 5 competently and confidently (Gunts mk2) 2) Sheehan - if fit and firing can be different class, nearly there for the former/needs work on the latter 3) MJ - offers something we don't have post post Joey A. Physical, can win and play the ball on, technically limited and probably top L1 his ceiling. Another who's injury history define his career progression and current and future status. 4) John - I know a lot still advocate his international redemption, but there's something not quite right with Declan 5) Isgrove - a real work horse when fit and firing, but 30 now with less than 150 appearances. Never really nailed down a position. I really advocated MJ to step up. He plays in a position we are crying out for, but injury and surgery have hit at a less than fortuitous time and he is now having to work his way back to fitness and into a team playing well atm. He is well regarded at the club though and I think whatever the season brings he will likely get a contract extension and fingers crossed he gets back to the form he showed early season when he was a L1 CMF colossus. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 10, 2023 20:32:26 GMT
If all Welsh Bolton players were fit & firing, how would you rank them in terms of how they'd do in the Welsh squad? Without having watched them too much I'd say; 1) John 2) Sheehan 3) MJ 4) Jones 5) Isgrove 1) Jones - really good Pro can play across the entire back 5 competently and confidently (Gunts mk2) 2) Sheehan - if fit and firing can be different class, nearly there for the former/needs work on the latter 3) MJ - offers something we don't have post post Joey A. Physical, can win and play the ball on, technically limited and probably top L1 his ceiling. Another who's injury history define his career progression and current and future status. 4) John - I know a lot still advocate his international redemption, but there's something not quite right with Declan 5) Isgrove - a real work horse when fit and firing, but 30 now with less than 150 appearances. Never really nailed down a position. I really advocated MJ to step up. He plays in a position we are crying out for, but injury and surgery have hit at a less than fortuitous time and he is now having to work his way back to fitness and into a team playing well atm. He is well regarded at the club though and I think whatever the season brings he will likely get a contract extension and fingers crossed he gets back to the form he showed early season when he was a L1 CMF colossus. Diolch very interesting! I always thought MJ was what we are missing as a ball winner & thought that one day he'd get a chance. Shame about injuries preventing him, as I'd defo be advocating for his call up in our current CM crisis Interesting you rate Jones so highly too - I do wonder whether Regan Poole will be seen as the more viable Gunter Mark II though |
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Post by dai on Mar 10, 2023 22:05:27 GMT
Gethin Jones should be a shoe-in for Gunter. I'd have him over Regan Poole to be honest.
Sheehan could be involved again, however I can't see the rest ever getting called up. Was MJ a product of Liverpool youth?
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Post by 60sred on Mar 12, 2023 13:56:06 GMT
Things not looking good for the Croatia game Danny not in good form, Wayne injured in warm up yesterday. Also if Brennan is not able to play on Friday does that mean that Page is unable to select him for the international matches ?
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 12, 2023 17:25:58 GMT
If Page is listening, I can play central midfield, I haven't officially retired and I was born in Cardiff, Welsh Dad, Welsh Grandparents, I own every Super Furry Animals album, I'm good to go. Either that or contact Belle Vue who played football in the 80's.
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Post by marsvolta on Mar 12, 2023 17:50:04 GMT
Squad will be every interesting on Tuesday.
We know for a fact that there will be at least 5 changes from the World Cup squad (though there’s a real chance that Jordan James and Oli Cooper will take two of those slots and they travelled to Qatar)
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 12, 2023 17:58:02 GMT
Out - Bale, Gunter, J Williams, J Allen, Harris, Smith
In - J James, Collins, Mullin, Cooper, Bradshaw, Savage
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Post by surge on Mar 12, 2023 19:17:04 GMT
Shameless stalking of Dragon Soccer on twitter who has been making a few interesting re-tweets (I've put in quotation marks) and potentially revealing comments (I've put immediately underneath) today: 1 hour ago: Wales squad: "Hopefully will see some of the standby players for the World Cup squad making the squad next March" looking good for this now  1 hour ago: "Retirements !! I wonder" Jonny Williams 3 hours ago: "web-link to article from 2018 with Jake Cooper, Millwall, commenting on possible international call-up but refusing to say who for" I have always wondered about this one Back to my own posting: Am I reading to much into it or is it possible that 6ft 5', left-footed, 28 year old CB, Jake Cooper was on stand-by list for World Cup and is going to be announced Tuesday? Agent Tom Bradshaw bringing his mate over to fill the James Lawrence role - the exciting but unexpected left-footed CB to fill a positional need for us. Eric Ramsay, background as set-piece coach, is going to love it if so. |
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 12, 2023 19:27:55 GMT
Jake Cooper is eligible for Wales?
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Post by welwyn on Mar 12, 2023 19:57:58 GMT
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Post by marsvolta on Mar 12, 2023 19:58:32 GMT
Jake Cooper is eligible for Wales? There was a story a few years ago that he was eligible for a country but didn’t say who because he was hoping to get paperwork sorted. Nothing came of it at the time but maybe the fact that it’s on Twitter this week means that something has happened. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 12, 2023 20:01:37 GMT
Very interesting re: Jake Cooper. He's actually 6'6 after reading wiki but don't know much else about him
Tons of senior experience and currently a Championship regular. Would be a great addition imo
Interesting that surprise dual-qualifieds are always out there
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 12, 2023 20:08:45 GMT
Is Jake Cooper better than Tom Lockyer?
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Post by talyfan on Mar 12, 2023 20:11:31 GMT
5 years ago and nothing came of it though? Even if he wasn't eligible for us but for other home nations in this instance, given we're all of a similar stature and pool of players available to us. I would have thought he would be called up by one of them if not us if he was eligible given he's been a regular championship defender for some time?
From the article interview itself he was keen to play international football too. You'd think he'd be playing for someone by now if he was eligible.
Must have thought he was eligible for someone but paperwork proved otherwise? Nobody would be sleeping on him if they caught wind he was eligible surely?
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Post by dai on Mar 12, 2023 20:18:31 GMT
If Jake Cooper was a midfielder then I'd be excited, we don't necessarily need another defender.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 12, 2023 20:20:28 GMT
Is Jake Cooper better than Tom Lockyer? Would call up both as Cooper is a LCB and Lockyer would play in the middle |
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 12, 2023 20:24:19 GMT
Nailed on if fit - Mepham, Rodon, Davies, Lockyer, Williams, Roberts
Fringes - Cooper, Cabango, Burns, Jones
Can play at the back - Ampadu, Sorba
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Post by dragonsoccer on Mar 12, 2023 20:24:27 GMT
If you read the replies on the tweet (in welsh) you can see I was only tweeting out of interest
(as I never got it confirmed either way at the time)
Was reminded of that news (from 2018) posted back then aswell - whilst reading up on bradshaw etc
regarding standby players - will confirm on Tuesday - who was on standby and those have been selected once the squad is out in the public domain
Senior started to get told of call up over a week ago now
U21 players were told mid week
Both squads out Tuesday 14th (afternoon)
So could be late call ups from original squad(s)
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