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Post by jbt95 on Dec 10, 2020 16:57:43 GMT
I think it's very naive to think that. Playing them on a Wednesday straight into the first international break for four months is really hard luck, especially as we then do not play on the Saturday in a competitive game. If we played them on the 5th or 6th game - rather than 8th - it's not likely they will only need a point / already qualified. Even if they only needed to win the remaining two/three games if we drew/beat them, they still need to go and do that rather than having the points and goal difference on the board. Sport is physiological as much as it is physical. Fixture lists, days/times make a big impact. We begin away in three of the four windows. Not ideal. Interested to read this reaction to having away games second. Ray Verheijen (remember him?!) was a big critic of double headers, saying they always favoured the home team in the second game... ever since reading that years ago, I've kept an eye out for the order of matches, I thought this draw was good for us in that respect! Obviously plenty of factors at play... I think going away first can be good sometimes, but not always. When we play Saturday away that is the first game after a week's match rest the players have had. The first game being Wednesday when a lot of our players are likely to be involved in games Sunday is what worries me. One day training Tuesday. |
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Post by iot on Dec 11, 2020 21:03:08 GMT
Soucek scored again for West Ham tonight, hadn't realised he was from Czech. Looks to be one of their biggest threats, particularly in the air
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Post by steveh on Dec 11, 2020 22:07:08 GMT
Whoever was responsible for negotiating / arranging the fixtures has, in my opinion done a great job. Top seeds away in March with no crowd, another great away double header ( fans permitting) and finishing with two home games when hopefully weβll be back to some kind of normal with a full house at the CCS.π
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Post by allezlesrouges on Dec 11, 2020 22:51:53 GMT
Does anyone think we might be lining that last game up for the Millennium? If we have a chance of qualifying for a World Cup against a big team we could easily sell it out
As much as I prefer the CCS generally, and wasn't in favour of the Spain friendly, or using it generally, I think a closed roof at the Millennium for a night game with a chance of qualifying for a World Cup could be special
I feel it must be on the FAW's mind given they tried it with Spain & since we have had all this success on the pitch we haven't really had an occasion whereby we could realistically sell it out
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Post by CrackityJones on Dec 11, 2020 23:46:58 GMT
Soucek scored again for West Ham tonight, hadn't realised he was from Czech. Looks to be one of their biggest threats, particularly in the air Rodon will have him on toast |
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Post by jimbo82 on Dec 12, 2020 10:35:55 GMT
Does anyone think we might be lining that last game up for the Millennium? If we have a chance of qualifying for a World Cup against a big team we could easily sell it out As much as I prefer the CCS generally, and wasn't in favour of the Spain friendly, or using it generally, I think a closed roof at the Millennium for a night game with a chance of qualifying for a World Cup could be special I feel it must be on the FAW's mind given they tried it with Spain & since we have had all this success on the pitch we haven't really had an occasion whereby we could realistically sell it out Might be worth considering if we still have covid-related capacity restrictions. Eg. if we are limited to 50% of capacity then the Millennium might be worth a shout. Otherwise hopefully we can keep all the matches at the CCS. |
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Post by jbt95 on Dec 12, 2020 21:53:48 GMT
Does anyone think we might be lining that last game up for the Millennium? If we have a chance of qualifying for a World Cup against a big team we could easily sell it out As much as I prefer the CCS generally, and wasn't in favour of the Spain friendly, or using it generally, I think a closed roof at the Millennium for a night game with a chance of qualifying for a World Cup could be special I feel it must be on the FAW's mind given they tried it with Spain & since we have had all this success on the pitch we haven't really had an occasion whereby we could realistically sell it out It would be stupid to play a game like that at the Principality Stadium. Qualifiers at CCS. #Gutted if can't get a ticket but prob don't deserve one. I hope the FAW have block booked the stadium for the next Nations League though incase we get a June Saturday/Sunday/bank holiday* 5pm, ideally, kick off against a top side like France or Belgium! Nothing to lose in them games and relegation from League A might actually be the best bet for 2026 WCQ. * - matchday 1 is Thurs/Fri/Sat 2-4 June 2022. 2&3 June bank hols due to the Queen's 60th anniversary. |
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Post by iot on Jan 26, 2021 22:40:17 GMT
Another 2 goals for SouΔek tonight, that's 7 in 20 for him this season. A great return for a midfielder. Definitely the one to watch in the Czech game
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Post by CrackityJones on Jan 26, 2021 22:55:01 GMT
Yeah heβs bang in form and looking dangerous. Itβs gonna be a tough double header in March alright.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Jan 27, 2021 9:49:28 GMT
Yep and will have a good relationship with Coufal who has done well for them as a wing back. Will need to watch out for those crosses. I think we'll have a tight game with the Czechs, we should definitely be looking to try to beat them though
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Post by jbt95 on Jan 27, 2021 17:06:46 GMT
Yep and will have a good relationship with Coufal who has done well for them as a wing back. Will need to watch out for those crosses. I think we'll have a tight game with the Czechs, we should definitely be looking to try to beat them though We need to try beat everybody in every game. That's where we went wrong in qualifying for 2018. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Jan 27, 2021 23:49:21 GMT
Yep and will have a good relationship with Coufal who has done well for them as a wing back. Will need to watch out for those crosses. I think we'll have a tight game with the Czechs, we should definitely be looking to try to beat them though We need to try beat everybody in every game. That's where we went wrong in qualifying for 2018. I mean every teams tries to win any game they go out to play. I don't think we should be going gung-ho against Belgium, I think we should keep it tight and try to win the game that way. I'd snap your hand off for an away draw to Belgium |
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Post by manulike on Jan 30, 2021 17:18:28 GMT
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 1, 2021 11:37:13 GMT
A month away from the squad announcement. Comparing against the last squad here are my thoughts
New faces: Barden, Jephcott
Returning: Allen, Ramsey, HRK, Cabango
At risk: J.Lawrence, Sheehan, T.Lawrence, Levitt
Strengthened their case since last squad: Brenin Johnson, Smith, Brandon Cooper, Mark Harris
I originally thought Dan Barden would go to the U21s, but looking at our keeper situation it's looking like Adam Davies & Hennessey will still be out. I think Barden has warranted a call above Owain FΓ΄n, so I think he'll be in there with King & Ward
The returning list looks really promising as well!
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Post by cadno on Feb 1, 2021 11:44:12 GMT
Could we see James Chester returning?
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 1, 2021 14:18:28 GMT
Could we see James Chester returning? My guess is that the Wales management feel after his injury that his level is around about a Lockyer/Cabango at the moment. And there is more long term benefit from building caps in these two than there is in bringing Chester back into the fold. Not to forget Brandon Cooper has had a great season & may well be a Swansea starter within a year If Chester goes back up to the Premier League and starts regularly he could force his way in. But at the moment it's choice between Championship defenders aged 21, 26 & 32. I can see why they are looking more long term when it comes to 3rd, 4th & 5th choice options |
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Post by cadno on Feb 2, 2021 17:19:59 GMT
Could we see James Chester returning? My guess is that the Wales management feel after his injury that his level is around about a Lockyer/Cabango at the moment. And there is more long term benefit from building caps in these two than there is in bringing Chester back into the fold. Not to forget Brandon Cooper has had a great season & may well be a Swansea starter within a year If Chester goes back up to the Premier League and starts regularly he could force his way in. But at the moment it's choice between Championship defenders aged 21, 26 & 32. I can see why they are looking more long term when it comes to 3rd, 4th & 5th choice options Fair enough but what about the euros? If they're serious about doing well at Euro 2021 and if Mepham or Rodon gets injured surely we'd be better off having Chester come in than Lockyer or Cabango... |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 2, 2021 22:22:18 GMT
My guess is that the Wales management feel after his injury that his level is around about a Lockyer/Cabango at the moment. And there is more long term benefit from building caps in these two than there is in bringing Chester back into the fold. Not to forget Brandon Cooper has had a great season & may well be a Swansea starter within a year If Chester goes back up to the Premier League and starts regularly he could force his way in. But at the moment it's choice between Championship defenders aged 21, 26 & 32. I can see why they are looking more long term when it comes to 3rd, 4th & 5th choice options Fair enough but what about the euros? If they're serious about doing well at Euro 2021 and if Mepham or Rodon gets injured surely we'd be better off having Chester come in than Lockyer or Cabango... I'm not sure, Lockyer did well in the qualifiers & Cabango looks promising. Plus Ampadu would likely drop back too |
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Post by cymroircarn on Feb 2, 2021 22:36:15 GMT
With his injury record is Chester too much of a risk for the Euros? Could he play 3 games in 8 days?
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Post by cadno on Feb 2, 2021 23:07:21 GMT
Fair enough but what about the euros? If they're serious about doing well at Euro 2021 and if Mepham or Rodon gets injured surely we'd be better off having Chester come in than Lockyer or Cabango... I'm not sure, Lockyer did well in the qualifiers & Cabango looks promising. Plus Ampadu would likely drop back too Aye fair points, but Lockyer struggled against top class players Chelsea had and Cabango would maybe be a risk due to his little experience Vs the top players.... They are good players though so maybe they would cope fine, Chester was immense for us in 16 qualifiers and finals I can't believe his quality has dropped that much |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 17, 2021 15:50:43 GMT
Must only be 2 weeks away from the announcement, maybe 3. Here's how I have the squad as things stand with injuries and form, in terms of what I think the management will pick;
GK: Ward, King, Barden
CB: Rodon, Mepham, Cabango, J.Lawrence
RWB: Neco, C.Roberts
LWB: RND, Gunter
CM: Allen, Ampadu, Smith, Morrell, Sheehan
FW: Bale, Ramsey, James, Brooks, Brenin, T.Roberts, Wilson, Matondo
ST: Moore, Jephcott, HRK
That would be a 27 man squad. Maybe a couple more will get drafted in. I can see an outside chance for the likes of B.Cooper, Huggins, Vaulks, Levitt, Ratcliffe
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Post by dragonsoccer on Feb 17, 2021 16:22:39 GMT
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Post by hal on Feb 18, 2021 4:50:23 GMT
Must only be 2 weeks away from the announcement, maybe 3. Here's how I have the squad as things stand with injuries and form, in terms of what I think the management will pick; GK: Ward, King, Barden CB: Rodon, Mepham, Cabango, J.Lawrence RWB: Neco, C.Roberts LWB: RND, Gunter CM: Allen, Ampadu, Smith, Morrell, Sheehan FW: Bale, Ramsey, James, Brooks, Brenin, T.Roberts, Wilson, Matondo ST: Moore, Jephcott, HRK That would be a 27 man squad. Maybe a couple more will get drafted in. I can see an outside chance for the likes of B.Cooper, Huggins, Vaulks, Levitt, Ratcliffe Hennessy is back playing for palace reserves so he will be in the squad. |
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Post by CrackityJones on Feb 18, 2021 12:22:09 GMT
S4C covering all the games again. Get in!
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Post by fiveattheback on Feb 18, 2021 15:00:37 GMT
Must only be 2 weeks away from the announcement, maybe 3. Here's how I have the squad as things stand with injuries and form, in terms of what I think the management will pick; GK: Ward, King, Barden CB: Rodon, Mepham, Cabango, J.Lawrence RWB: Neco, C.Roberts LWB: RND, Gunter CM: Allen, Ampadu, Smith, Morrell, Sheehan FW: Bale, Ramsey, James, Brooks, Brenin, T.Roberts, Wilson, Matondo ST: Moore, Jephcott, HRK That would be a 27 man squad. Maybe a couple more will get drafted in. I can see an outside chance for the likes of B.Cooper, Huggins, Vaulks, Levitt, Ratcliffe Vaulks has been paying very well since McCarthy took over at Cardiff, he should get in if he continues his form |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 18, 2021 15:13:07 GMT
Must only be 2 weeks away from the announcement, maybe 3. Here's how I have the squad as things stand with injuries and form, in terms of what I think the management will pick; GK: Ward, King, Barden CB: Rodon, Mepham, Cabango, J.Lawrence RWB: Neco, C.Roberts LWB: RND, Gunter CM: Allen, Ampadu, Smith, Morrell, Sheehan FW: Bale, Ramsey, James, Brooks, Brenin, T.Roberts, Wilson, Matondo ST: Moore, Jephcott, HRK That would be a 27 man squad. Maybe a couple more will get drafted in. I can see an outside chance for the likes of B.Cooper, Huggins, Vaulks, Levitt, Ratcliffe Vaulks has been paying very well since McCarthy took over at Cardiff, he should get in if he continues his form He has, I just wonder if his last omission was more style based rather than form based? I'd personally take him over Levitt, but not sure if he'll get ahead of others like Sheehan based on playing style |
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Post by fiveattheback on Feb 18, 2021 15:56:25 GMT
Vaulks has been paying very well since McCarthy took over at Cardiff, he should get in if he continues his form He has, I just wonder if his last omission was more style based rather than form based? I'd personally take him over Levitt, but not sure if he'll get ahead of others like Sheehan based on playing style I think Vaulks' style of play gives him an edge on getting in ahead of one of Smith/Morrell/Sheehan. His physicality brings another dimension that the others don't have and its nice to have someone who can shake things up if they get brought on rather than offer more of the same. |
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Post by jbt95 on Feb 18, 2021 16:20:18 GMT
CM is my opinion is our weakest area, Vaulks has improved a lot of late by all accounts, cannot see him not making the squad.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 23, 2021 14:53:33 GMT
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Post by superunknown on Mar 23, 2021 15:08:01 GMT
He really does. He's done it all with Wales, a World Cup would be the perfect to top off what's been the greatest Welsh international career we've ever seen. |
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