Welsh squad: Gogs v Hwntws v 'Anglos'!

[cymruunedig]

Ok, bit of fun as it's a quiet day in work...

Picture the scene: Wales are preparing for a friendly against some European middle-to-low ranked nation (let's be honest, none of the European big guns want to play us!), when news emerges that John 'I've managed Real Madrid...twice' Toshack can't get back to Wales from his San Sebastian retreat due to the Icelandic ash cloud! He could drive, but decides not too...

Toshack calls Brian Flynn to take over and prepare the squad (Roy Evans is shopping and Deano is too busy at Wrecsam). Problem is, Tosh has been so busy drinking Basque wine and chorizo he's forgotten to announce the squad! So...Flynn sends out an open invitation to Welsh players...and lo and behold, everyone turns up, eager to play for Wales whilst El Gordo is stuck on the Iberian Peninsula!

With so many players available, Flynn decides to divide the squad into 3: Gogs, Hwntws, and 'Anglos' (as in, born outside Wales). So....who would win between these 3 Welsh teams??

Gogs/Northwalians

Wayne Hennessey

Neil Taylor
Gareth Roberts
Craig Morgan
Neal Eardley

Owain Tudur Jones
Jason Koumas
Robbie Savage
David Vaughan

Ched Evans
Marc Williams

Subs - Owain Fon Williams, Nathan Craig, Kai Edwards

Hwntws/Southwalians

Rhys Taylor

Chris Gunter
Gareth Bale
Danny Gabbidon
James Collins

Joe Ledley
Simon Davies
Aaron Ramsey
Ryan Giggs

Craig Bellamy
Robert Earnshaw

Subs - David Cornell, Christian Ribeiro, Adam Matthews, Darcy Blake, Joe Allen, David Cotterill, Jermaine Easter/Paul Parry

'Anglos'

Boaz Myhill

Sam Ricketts
Danny Collins
Ashley Williams
Lewin Nyatanga

Brian Stock
Andy King
Jack Collison
David Edwards

Sam Vokes
Simon Church

Subs - Jason Brown, Rob Edwards, Carl Fletcher, Andrew Crofts/Mark Bradley, Andy Dorman, Freddie Eastwood, Hal Robson-Kanu/Daniel Nardiello

This would never happen though...Roy Evans would down his shopping bags and drive down to San Sebastian to get Toshack!!

[llannerch]

The Gogs look weak at centre half. Vokes would chew up a short-ar$e like Gareth Roberts. Mind you Roberts would still tower over the Hwntws' frontmen. They could call on Stephen Roberts couldn't they?

[Tim P]

the Hwntws would win - easily.

although, who is managing?

put flynn vs tosh and the Gogs would be in with a shout.

[cymruunedig]

Yeah the Gogs could have Stephen Roberts, recently retired though. There's always Steve Evans of course!

I would hope that the Hwntws back 4 wouldn't play high balls up to Earnie and Bellers, although, having seen Wales play, they probably would...

Seeing as he managed Wrecsam, Flynn can be an honorary Gog and manage the Northwalians v Toshack's hwntws! Which Welsh 'Anglo' to manage the Anglos then?? Kenny Jackett? Paul Trollope??

[saints19]

On a related note, it's a little disappointing that relatively little of our squad was actually born in Wales.

[cymruunedig]

True that, to be fair Toshack has said he would prefer it if his team were made up of Welsh born and bred players, but needs must I guess!

And to think back in 2002 the Welsh team that beat Italy were all born in Wales - Jones, Delaney, Speed, Gabbidon, Melville, Pembridge, Savage, Bellamy, Hartson, Davies, Giggs

[marsvolta]

yeah, but our (arguble) first choice 11 are mainly welsh born.the anglos are handy for injuries/etc.

presuming gabbs and ramsey are fit and on form-

hennessey,gunter,collins,gabbs,bale,ledley,ramsey,davies,(collison) bellamy,evans.

ok i might have cheated by choosing welsh born evans ahead of church,vokes and earnshaw but only collison is an anglo in this 11.

[marsvolta]

oh,and you forgot our new boy steve morison in your anglo team.

[llannerch]

Jun 1, 2010 14:25:51 GMT cymruunedig said:

True that, to be fair Toshack has said he would prefer it if his team were made up of Welsh born and bred players, but needs must I guess!

And to think back in 2002 the Welsh team that beat Italy were all born in Wales - Jones, Delaney, Speed, Gabbidon, Melville, Pembridge, Savage, Bellamy, Hartson, Davies, Giggs

As was Blakey off the bench

[llannerch]

Jun 1, 2010 13:06:24 GMT cymruunedig said:

Yeah the Gogs could have Stephen Roberts, recently retired though.

Missed this news. Injury presumably? He's only in his early 30s isn't he

[flynnfan]

while we're on hypothetical matches between Welsh players, how about a 5-a-side round robin betweeen a Swansea area side of the late 50s, a mid 80s North Wales team and a Cardiff area team of today.

all diamond formation:

Swansea: GK Jack Kelsey
D Mel Charles
M Cliff Jones
M Ivor Allchurch
A John Charles

Subs: Terry Medwin, Trevor Ford, Len Allchurch

North Wales:

GK Neville Southall
D Kevin Ratcliffe
M Mickey Thomas
M Mark Hughes
A Ian Rush

Subs: Joey Jones, Barry Horne

Cardiff:

GK: er... someone in Cardiff Citys youth team?
D Danny Gabbidon
M Gareth Bale
M Aaron Ramsey
A Craig Bellamy

subs: Ryan Giggs, James Collins, Robert Earnshaw, Chris Gunter

Funny how we get these cycles. I think the modern team would actually do very well, considering its 5-a-side- keep the ball below head height, no slide tackles etc

And sadly, Stephen Roberts was forced to retire at the age of 29 due to a back injury.

[saints19]

Jun 1, 2010 18:47:44 GMT llannerch said:

Jun 1, 2010 14:25:51 GMT cymruunedig said:

True that, to be fair Toshack has said he would prefer it if his team were made up of Welsh born and bred players, but needs must I guess!

And to think back in 2002 the Welsh team that beat Italy were all born in Wales - Jones, Delaney, Speed, Gabbidon, Melville, Pembridge, Savage, Bellamy, Hartson, Davies, Giggs

As was Blakey off the bench

I think Paul Jones was born in Chester. That's in England last time I checked.

[flynnfan]

No. Paul Jones was born in Chirk. Just about in Wales last time I checked.

[saints19]

I blame Football Manager for spreading misinformation.

[llannerch]

Jun 4, 2010 17:39:46 GMT flynnfan said:

No. Paul Jones was born in Chirk. Just about in Wales last time I checked.

But is very much a Shropshire lad. Someone told me at a Wales game that he didn't realise he was born in Wales until his late 20s, hence his debut at 30ish. Don't know whetehr there's anything in it mind

[Tim P]

that sounds like an urban myth llanerch - at least i hope so!

[flynnfan]

yeah, I doubt very much thats true. I think the reason he played international football relatively late was because he arrived at the top level relatively late (signed by Dave Jones to Southampton after they worked together at Stockport if memory serves?)

btw- where exactly did Paul Jones grow up?