Cymru v Latvia 28.03.23

[bringbackelmo]

Lots of chat on the Croatia thread but this is a much bigger game in my mind. We'll be coming off the back of a tough away in Split but 3 points from this is a necessity if we are serious about qualifying. They are currently well down in the rankings but no easy games in international football, as know only too well.

[talyfan]

Never a fan of these games. Always fancy us when we're the underdog against bigger sides. But when it's on the other foot, it's just as difficult. Particularly where we lack a bit of creativity from deeper areas of the pitch at the moment to break teams down.

[rushy]

To be perfectly frank, I don't think we can say or judge what level we are at until this comparatively new squad is not only named, but has played some fixtures in competitive games, which is also including a manager who can no longer rely on the superstar player he once had or the instrumental tactical coaching of Albert Stuivenberg .
Therefore even the Latvia's of this world should not be underestimated at this stage due to the complete unknown regarding who will play and the system to be used, for me it's a wait and see with an open mind approach.

[jimexotic]

This has the potential to be a Moldova 94, we really can't have that again. I worry about Page and his team, whether they're capable of properly preparing us for these kind of fixtures and pick a side to win them. I thin it's just the naivety of the World Cup and the ultimate failure that was our last Nations League campaign, it feels like ages since we actually won a game.

[redwallnews]

Bit harsh to throw shade on our nations league campaign in my opinion mate.

[jimexotic]

I really enjoyed it but ultimately we failed, losing 5 and drawing once when we got ourselves into positions to do a lot more. It's the nature of how it went that is a tad disappointing. 

[vaulksthrowfanclub]

I felt it was a broadly positive campaign, but those late goals were sickeners. Demonstrates a worrying mentality.

[jimexotic]

One that I can't help but feel we took into the World Cup. 

I do really enjoy the Nations League, I think it's a brilliant idea and has been a success and something that we've,on the whole, benefited from, the last campaign was just a little hard to take, we should have got two draws against the Dutch and that last game against Poland was very annoying.

[allezlesrouges]

Our NL results were;

Poland 2-1
Netherlands 2-1
Belgium 1-1
Netherlands 3-2
Belgium 2-1
Poland 1-0

So against Tier 1 opposition we scored in every game bar 1, and lost by no more than a goal, despite the fact that we played B/C teams in 50% of the games

I can't believe anyone can use that as a stick to beat us with, or predict a Moldova-like result. If anything it's a marker of how far we've come since those days

I was disappointed by the World Cup as much as anyone, but I actually think a change in direction is something to be optimistic about given the lack of match sharpness and energy that we showed at the WC

[jimexotic]

Mar 13, 2023 21:46:21 GMT allezlesrouges said:

Our NL results were;

Poland 2-1
Netherlands 2-1
Belgium 1-1
Netherlands 3-2
Belgium 2-1
Poland 1-0

So against Tier 1 opposition we scored in every game bar 1, and lost by no more than a goal, despite the fact that we played B/C teams in 50% of the games

I can't believe anyone can use that as a stick to beat us with, or predict a Moldova-like result. If anything it's a marker of how far we've come since those days

I was disappointed by the World Cup as much as anyone, but I actually think a change in direction is something to be optimistic about given the lack of match sharpness and energy that we showed at the WC

Yeah, no, like I said it was decent enough, I enjoyed the games and I saw progress but on reflection it maybe had a slight negative impact on us, we lost 5 of 6 games for one reason or another, some unlucky, some careless and some because we were otherwise occupied. I think it might have trickled into the team a little bit going into the World Cup, it was the first time in about 10 years since we had a losing/winless streak. People can say whatever they want but, under any circumstances, getting used to losing is never a good thing, no matter how well you're playing. Losing in the last minute more than once in quick succession is also a cause for concern, nobody can deny that. Again, I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy the Nations League, I love it, I was just a bit disappointed with how it turned out this time.

My concern with a possible Moldova result is a losing streak followed by a number of players retiring and others not playing means that we're all a little unsure of what the future holds. We needed Bale heroics away to Belarus and over two games we scored once against Estonia so I think it's right to be a little worried. I'm as optimistic as the next Wales fan but I'm also very conscious of how situations like this have gone for other, supposedly stronger, nations in the past as well as obviously witnessing our struggles in the past when we've been able to field arguably stronger sides than what we'll be able to in the next two games.

I appreciate not everyone or possibly anyone will share my views and that's fine, it's a forum where we discuss stuff, here's hoping that we do ourselves proud in the next two games.

[allezlesrouges]

Mar 14, 2023 0:11:32 GMT jimexotic said:

Mar 13, 2023 21:46:21 GMT allezlesrouges said:

Our NL results were;

Poland 2-1
Netherlands 2-1
Belgium 1-1
Netherlands 3-2
Belgium 2-1
Poland 1-0

So against Tier 1 opposition we scored in every game bar 1, and lost by no more than a goal, despite the fact that we played B/C teams in 50% of the games

I can't believe anyone can use that as a stick to beat us with, or predict a Moldova-like result. If anything it's a marker of how far we've come since those days

I was disappointed by the World Cup as much as anyone, but I actually think a change in direction is something to be optimistic about given the lack of match sharpness and energy that we showed at the WC

Yeah, no, like I said it was decent enough, I enjoyed the games and I saw progress but on reflection it maybe had a slight negative impact on us, we lost 5 of 6 games for one reason or another, some unlucky, some careless and some because we were otherwise occupied. I think it might have trickled into the team a little bit going into the World Cup, it was the first time in about 10 years since we had a losing/winless streak. People can say whatever they want but, under any circumstances, getting used to losing is never a good thing, no matter how well you're playing. Losing in the last minute more than once in quick succession is also a cause for concern, nobody can deny that. Again, I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy the Nations League, I love it, I was just a bit disappointed with how it turned out this time.

My concern with a possible Moldova result is a losing streak followed by a number of players retiring and others not playing means that we're all a little unsure of what the future holds. We needed Bale heroics away to Belarus and over two games we scored once against Estonia so I think it's right to be a little worried. I'm as optimistic as the next Wales fan but I'm also very conscious of how situations like this have gone for other, supposedly stronger, nations in the past as well as obviously witnessing our struggles in the past when we've been able to field arguably stronger sides than what we'll be able to in the next two games.

I appreciate not everyone or possibly anyone will share my views and that's fine, it's a forum where we discuss stuff, here's hoping that we do ourselves proud in the next two games.

I get what you mean and it possibly played a part, but I think generally us as fans overstate the impact of mentality when it comes to fine margins. If Depay misses his chance, and Matt Smith brings down Frenkie De Jong, then all of a sudden we have two draws, and we'd have actually drawn half the games. The narrative would instead be about us coming from behind to get results against Belgium and the Dutch x2

I know it's ifs and buts, but when the margins are that fine I personally don't like to read into it too much in respect to a teams mentality or anything like that

I also get what you're saying in regards to Belarus and Estonia. Don't forget in that Belarus game we were missing 13 players due to injuries, covid, visa issues and suspensions. We started both Lawrence and Gunter in a back 4 (I wonder why we conceded 2 soft goals!), and were forced to give first competitive starts to Colwill and Brennan. We were very under strength for that one! (apparently we also had Woodburn on the bench, although I don't ever remember Page calling him up)

Estonia was a poor performance, but we never in a million years deserved to lose that game, we just lacked fluidity in attack. Overall I don't see any suggestion we're about to get pumped by a minnow

In fact, if we can field an 11 of players who are regulars and match fit in the top 3 tiers of English football then I actually expect our performances to improve

[bale-droed]

Agree this is a bigger game than Croatia. I do 100% believe we can leave Croatia with with something but ultimately as we need to finish top 2 losing the game against them is fine as long as we don’t slip up elsewhere. I predict a nervous 1-0 win here with a first time goal scorer in the 80th. I’ll go Luke Harris or Cooper

[iot]

Ward
Roberts Lockyer Rodon Neco
Ampadu
Ramsey Wilson
Johnson Moore James/Broadhead

433 for me for this one. Really hope Johnson will be fit for it. Suspect Latvia will sit off a fair bit, so would like us to have enough attacking personnel on the pitch from the off. Morrell for Wilson might provide better balance.

[talyfan]

I'd have James or Ollie Cooper ahead of Broadhead but otherwise that'd be my team for Latvia too. Think Wilson should be okay there too hopefully lessons learnt from WC.

[scarlet]

Hi

I made a mistake buying tickets for this campaign and opted for tickets to be sent to my app.I do not have the app on my phone and will not be having the app.I have contacted the ticket office asking for paper tickets to be sent to me but have been told as i opted for the app i cannot have tickets posted.This is no help at all !!
I phoned the FAW and was told I could have paper tickets but still the answer is no from the call centre. Any suggestions on who i can contact to resolve this? Getting quite annoyed now,Happy to pay the postage costs.

[jbt95]

Mar 21, 2023 17:46:25 GMT scarlet said:

Hi

I made a mistake buying tickets for this campaign and opted for tickets to be sent to my app.I do not have the app on my phone and will not be having the app.I have contacted the ticket office asking for paper tickets to be sent to me but have been told as i opted for the app i cannot have tickets posted.This is no help at all !!
I phoned the FAW and was told I could have paper tickets but still the answer is no from the call centre. Any suggestions on who i can contact to resolve this? Getting quite annoyed now,Happy to pay the postage costs.

You’ll either have to download the app or buy new tickets.

[scarlet]

I don`t think the above is an option.I am certainly not buying new tickets because of the inflexibility of the ticket system. I do not have the internet on my phone. I can`t believe i am the only one who has made a mistake. There must be other circumstances where a paper ticket is needed at the last moment. The responses from the FAW are not helpful. We have bought campaign tickets for many years " together we are stronger " really !!!!

[jbt95]

Mar 21, 2023 18:03:18 GMT scarlet said:

I don`t think the above is an option.I am certainly not buying new tickets because of the inflexibility of the ticket system. I do not have the internet on my phone. I can`t believe i am the only one who has made a mistake. There must be other circumstances where a paper ticket is needed at the last moment. The responses from the FAW are not helpful. We have bought campaign tickets for many years " together we are stronger " really !!!!

There were warnings during the booking process about needing the app. You must’ve noticed it wasn’t enough £ at checkout as there’s a £3 charge per ticket, so £12 per campaign ticket.

You’ve spoken to the FAW and they’ve given you an answer.

[scarlet]

The FAW gave me two answers this week as i said above i.e yes i can have paper tickets and no i could not have paper tickets. I an happy to pay the extra costs. Not expecting anything for nothing.

[barneycat1]

I would ring the FAW and tell them unless they issue you with paper tickets you will go to the ticket office on matchday and stay there until they do.
Not all people have mobiles. It's pathetic.

[scarlet]

Thanks. I wish someone would legally challenge the companies who assume everyone has apps/bully people. I wonder who the customer is here.? My husband and i were two of only a few thousand who used to support the Welsh team in the sad days of Welsh football.

[dai]

Mar 21, 2023 19:17:44 GMT scarlet said:

Thanks. I wish someone would legally challenge the companies who assume everyone has apps/bully people. I wonder who the customer is here.? My husband and i were two of only a few thousand who used to support the Welsh team in the sad days of Welsh football.

Do you know someone who could download the app, take screen shots of the QR codes and send them to you via text? That 'should' work.

I'm presuming the new digi tickets will be QR's again, maybe someone else can confirm.

[superunknown]

Mar 21, 2023 19:23:11 GMT dai said:

Mar 21, 2023 19:17:44 GMT scarlet said:

Thanks. I wish someone would legally challenge the companies who assume everyone has apps/bully people. I wonder who the customer is here.? My husband and i were two of only a few thousand who used to support the Welsh team in the sad days of Welsh football.

Do you know someone who could download the app, take screen shots of the QR codes and send them to you via text? That 'should' work.

I'm presuming the new digi tickets will be QR's again, maybe someone else can confirm.

Unfortunately not. On the app there’s a big red warning telling you screenshots of the QR code won’t work. Whether that’s true or not remains to be seen but probably not worth the risk.

I hope you manage to get paper tickets Scarlet but the app is quite straightforward if all else fails.

He might be busy with the games coming up but perhaps [mention]corky [/mention] could look into it if he gets the chance.

[marsvolta]

Mar 21, 2023 18:03:18 GMT scarlet said:

I don`t think the above is an option.I am certainly not buying new tickets because of the inflexibility of the ticket system. I do not have the internet on my phone. I can`t believe i am the only one who has made a mistake. There must be other circumstances where a paper ticket is needed at the last moment. The responses from the FAW are not helpful. We have bought campaign tickets for many years " together we are stronger " really !!!!

Are your tickets in the Canton? If so, I can meet you outside and Download your tickets to my app and you can have our paper tickets.

Not sure how many there are of you though, There’s four of us.

[scarlet]

Thanks for the offer that is very kind of you.

I am going to ask maybe a stupid question but how would you download the tickets to your phone if they haven`t been sent to me.? How do i get them directed to another phone? Or do I go via the FAW help line?

[marsvolta]

Mar 21, 2023 21:26:35 GMT scarlet said:

Thanks for the offer that is very kind of you.

I am going to ask maybe a stupid question but how would you download the tickets to your phone if they haven`t been sent to me.? How do i get them directed to another phone? Or do I go via the FAW help line?

Good point , I’m not sure.I presume you log in through the email confirming your order but not sure how to transfer them.

[surge]

Mar 21, 2023 18:10:23 GMT scarlet said:

The FAW gave me two answers this week as i said above i.e yes i can have paper tickets and no i could not have paper tickets. I an happy to pay the extra costs. Not expecting anything for nothing.

All I can suggest is speaking to FAW and speaking to line manager if you don't get straight answer.

It might not be enough time to sort it for these games but surely something can be done for future fixtures if that's the case.

[bale-droed]

Cymru 1 Latvia 0 Bradshaw 77th

[allezlesrouges]

I'd be tempted to go 4-4-2 for this one, knowing that we'll likely control possession anyway

Ward
Connor-Mepham-Lockyer-Neco
Brennan-Ramsey-Ampadu-Broadhead
Moore-Bradshaw

[cogancoronation31]

Three points is imperative at home against Latvia and, from an eventual 'goal difference' perspective in the table, a 3-0 win would also hit the spot.