Bale

[aberbeeg]

Weak manager (page) allows Bale to do what he wants ( same with Ramsey etc) we end up in a situation today where we look like the most unfit side at the World Cup. No legs in midfield, can’t pass a ball cos we’re knackered and end up chasing shadows all game long ( again)

[conwy10]

He's given me so much joy, and maybe if he had willing runners around him he could be fine, but he just doesn't move. He doesn't track back, doesn't run the channels or close down. He's basically there hoping something will fall for him. I love the guy and desperately want him to work through it, but his boyish joking about almost stealing a wage as a footballer needs to stop. He needs to either retire or put the hard work in at the gym and on the pitch for LA.

[jimexotic]

I don't know what his role on the pitch is anymore, same for Ramsey, the two of them, Ramsey especially, they're so careless. Everybody knows that in International football passing and possession is crucial, as is pressing, as we found today, these two are no longer reliable to do any of that.

[morg]

I don't know any more. Has had the opportunity to get match fit in LA but still obviously not. Always thought that he could play deeper and more centrally for us and play for a few more years but can't see it. Page was saying a few weeks back with the senior players to ensure that they don't retire all at once and if he moves to a squad role then ok but his days as a starter must surely be over sad to say.

[cogancoronation31]

Bale & Rambo on the bench against England please, but I don't see Page being courageous enough to make that call.

[Deleted]

If living in the beautiful sunshine of L.A. isn't enough to get you really pushing and getting fitter then it's because he just can't do it anymore,25 minute impact player at best while we try to get other player up to speed and get that experience,going to be a jarring time though.

[marsvolta]

Nov 25, 2022 13:48:31 GMT cogancoronation31 said:

Bale & Rambo on the bench against England please, but I don't see Page being courageous enough to make that call.

Page has said in an interview that he will make changes as he can’t expect players who haven’t had match fitness with their clubs can’t be expected to play a third game in a short time.

He was surely talking about Ramsey and Bale, I can’t think who else he could be talking about

[dai]

I still think he's retiring after this WC, so there won't be a question of whether he starts or not. He's waxed and waned for years now, and this tournament just highlighted how far off the pace he really is. It's sad to see what was once an explosive player drag himself around the pitch like he's wading through mud.

[wirralwelsh]

However diminished Bale is as a player these days the fact is if we are somehow going to win this e game then its going to take a bit of Bale magic to do it. He's a faded genius but a genius still. You just won't get those moments from a Daniel James or Sorba Thomas.

[morg]

Is it me or was anyone else surprised to see him not taking 2 or 3 free kicks yesterday? They were a fair way out but I thought not longer than the ones he scored with in 2016. I still thought that a failed Bale attempt would have caused more bedlam in the penalty area than a Wilson floater. Injury?

[aberbeeg]

One commenter said Bale looked red faced during the 5 min warm up yesterday. The move to The States certainly hasn’t worked out from a Welsh perspective and he seems more unfit now than when he was at Madrid. I suppose playing 40 odd mins in the past few months hasn’t helped.

[hooky]

I wish he would accept an impact sub role when he is not fit but he won't will he?

[njdragon]

It’s horrific to see you best player decline in real time. He’s the player of my generation for wales.

I’m shocked how quickly he’s gone down hill though, from being the best player in the world to having little or no impact on the pitch.

Without him we don’t qualify for any of those tournaments. We have been so fortunate to have him.

[yanto]

Nov 25, 2022 14:24:30 GMT marsvolta said:

Nov 25, 2022 13:48:31 GMT cogancoronation31 said:

Bale & Rambo on the bench against England please, but I don't see Page being courageous enough to make that call.

Page has said in an interview that he will make changes as he can’t expect players who haven’t had match fitness with their clubs can’t be expected to play a third game in a short time.

He was surely talking about Ramsey and Bale, I can’t think who else he could be talking about

Didn't Page also say they had learnt the lessons of the USA game, and then made 1 change?

[hooky]

Page does not have clarity of thought though does he?

The traits us Welsh have - emotion and loyalty are obviously weaknesses in elite sport. I still can't believe one comment on these boards that Gunter deserved to go to the WC because of what he did in 2016. Total bullshit!

As stated - Giggs, by contrast, is ice cold. He does not really have much warmth, is ruthless and as noted he ditched the old guard (correctly) so ruthlessly when he took over. Page by contrast has old fashioned or Welsh values which blew up in his face. Again - you need to renew football teams - keep the age profile down, have a competitive edge in the squad. Also youngsters hungry to make progress will look at too much loyalty as a very unattractive trait and as a bit amateurish and ofputting.

Everyone knew:

Bale, Ramsey and Wilson start regardless of their fitness or their collective weakness
Ward probably knew it was Hennessey's shirt whatever he did
Everyone knew Gunter would get picked for the squad despite his errors versus Belarus and Netherlands and his decline.
Everyone knew Jonny Williams would be picked. I am not 100% against that pick but you can question whether he would ever make an impact on this tournament and so what is the point of bringing him
Again why not a Luke Harris in the squad or Mantando (how low on energy do we look - he definitely has that) - he is only 22!!!
Then Lawrence - I know he is injured and inconsistent but he can still produce elite moments. He was obviously overlooked as an option before he got injured.

That is why I prefer a coach with a track record who you examine to see if they have that ruthless steak to ensure success.

[allezlesrouges]

If at this point your main gripe is still about Gunter & Jonny's inclusion then I really feel for you

[hooky]

Nov 26, 2022 11:00:50 GMT allezlesrouges said:

If at this point your main gripe is still about Gunter & Jonny's inclusion then I really feel for you

Think the posts have been a bit more detailed than that.

None of us are correct about everything of course but there are so many little things I have disagreed with which I believe when taken in aggregate have shown a flaw that has been shown up in this tournament.

I think we all agree that this WC has been a shambles for us so far. All I wanted was for us to come off the pitch feeling proud. For 3 halves its been embarrassing and I think part of this comes down to the culture (and coaching / tactics). The balance has gone too far in one direction. Just my consistent opinion but I am not an expert. I just pray the boys give us a performance to be proud of in the last game so the world can see that we are capable of playing football and to have something to cling to as we look forward to the Euros

[njdragon]

Nov 26, 2022 11:36:52 GMT hooky said:

Nov 26, 2022 11:00:50 GMT allezlesrouges said:

If at this point your main gripe is still about Gunter & Jonny's inclusion then I really feel for you

Think the posts have been a bit more detailed than that.

None of us are correct about everything of course but there are so many little things I have disagreed with which I believe when taken in aggregate have shown a flaw that has been shown up in this tournament.

I think we all agree that this WC has been a shambles for us so far. All I wanted was for us to come off the pitch feeling proud. For 3 halves its been embarrassing and I think part of this comes down to the culture (and coaching / tactics). The balance has gone too far in one direction. Just my consistent opinion but I am not an expert. I just pray the boys give us a performance to be proud of in the last game so the world can see that we are capable of playing football and to have something to cling to as we look forward to the Euros

Come on mate get a result against England and we’ll all be looking at this as a good tournament. We can still do them

We’re one win away from a great World Cup in reality

[welshrover]

Watching Argentina tonight and Messi looked a shadow of his former self.

Age catches up with everyone eventually.

[allezlesrouges]

Showed up when they needed him tho, class goal!

[underwood]

Golf, Golf, Golf.

Thanks for the memories.

[Deleted]

yeah he has been a force of nature,time catches up with us all,you have given us so much,thank you Gareth,time to take a back seat and give other players your vast experience

[robin1864]

He's given us some incredible moments and amazing memories for which we'll be eternally thankful, but this tournament has shown us that age has no time for sentiment, and he's sadly no longer up to the task.

He would be an excellent addition to the coaching staff, and get that 10ft statue built outside the CCS.

[dai]

He can still contribute, a lot, but only if he sorts out his club career. Ive said many a times that he cannot carry on sitting on a bench and expect to turn up and play like normal.

[wirralwelsh]

'We go again' ...such a predictable cliche for him to come out with as I expected him to. I think he'd best exit gracefully now and let the players still dedicated to their careers go again next year.

[jimexotic]

If he's happy to accept a cameo role, coming off the bench for the final 20 or something if needed that's fine. What's not fine is him looking immobile, off the pace and lacking sharpness with things that I'd previously have never questioned with him such as his touch, awareness and passing.

[insertname]

The Gareth Bale pass map had one single arrow on it. You can’t hide from that.

But let’s not castigate the bloke. We wouldn’t have qualified without him. He’s played at a World Cup and scored and for that alone, imo, it’s been worthwhile and dare I say it, successful. For what he’s given Welsh football making sure he’s able to add a World Cup and a goal to cap off his list of achievements is fantastic. As disappointing as the campaign has been for him to say he’s achieved that where so many previous Welsh greats have failed means I’m really pleased for him. I hope he reads the room and announces his international retirement now. It’s time for him to have a rest and Welsh football to thank him (a total understatement) for his service and move on.

Thank you for everything Gareth, especially the memories.

[allezlesrouges]

There really is nothing left for him to achieve in football now, he's done everything he could possibly do for us and more. He's certainly achieved everything at club level too

I can't help but think back to his performance against Turkey, where he created 5 big chances for us in one game. That just feels so long ago now, and looking at the last few games he's played for us he's just nowhere near that now. So I do feel it is time for change. But I'll say it again...

111 caps
41 goals
22 assists
First major tournament in 58 years
Euro semi-final & bronze medal
First world cup in 64 years
2x Euro knockout phases
3 major tournaments
Our all time-top scorer at major tournaments (4 goals)
Only one of 4 Welsh scorers at World Cups

I'll never see his like again in my lifetime, and we need to really push through getting him a statue outside the CCS. His impact on this nation will be felt forever

[insertname]

5 champions league winners medals, for all England’s pomp and circumstance I believe that’s more than their entire squad has won.

[iot]

Nov 29, 2022 23:51:06 GMT jimexotic said:

If he's happy to accept a cameo role, coming off the bench for the final 20 or something if needed that's fine. What's not fine is him looking immobile, off the pace and lacking sharpness with things that I'd previously have never questioned with him such as his touch, awareness and passing.

Completely agree with this. Unless he starts banging in 20 goals a season in the MLS and looks sharp at club level, I think we can all agree he shouldn't be starting. Equally, however, I think he will still be a great squad member if he's happy to accept a cameo role / only starting certain games. He says he intends to play on and I'm really pleased to hear that.