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Post by cogancoronation31 on Mar 14, 2023 9:27:34 GMT
P.S. Forgot temporarily (don't know how!) that Joe Allen had also hung up his international boots recently - doubtless another factor in Jonny's thought process.
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Post by pclaude on Mar 14, 2023 9:47:06 GMT
It really does seem a bizarre decision on Joniesta's part - he was saying only a few weeks ago how much he loved playing for us. Even if Page has said something to him about squad selection for the current campaign, why take the nuclear option of retiring from international football? Plenty of players have been recalled from the wilderness in the past. As someone else has said, please please let him change his mind in a few months and come back into the fold! (Wonder if he consulted with anyone sensible, before making this strange move? Even if thinking negative thoughts right now, why not just lie low and review later in the year?) I personally liked the mantra of Mark Pembridge (a stalwart player from an earlier era): "I shall always be available for Wales". I would be amazed if it's his decision. |
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Post by foxmulder on Mar 14, 2023 10:15:44 GMT
With the senior players, as surreal as it is, try as hard as you can to step into their shoes.
There was a brotherhood throughout the team in 2016. All the players had gone through tough times.
They had gone through the Toshack years, playing games at Llanelli, Gary Speed, the early Coleman years, Serbia etc. And then they got to the Euro 2016 semis. After YEARS of struggle, nothing can ever top that. Probably not even winning the World Cup. As a supporter during those dark times, nothing will ever beat Euro 2016. It just won't.
But with younger players coming through, the dynamic in the squad was always going to change.
You could see it in the behind the scenes photos. On the plane and dinner tables, the senior players and younger players were always separated.
It's always going to be harder to have to gel with younger generations. The maturity/personality age gap between a 21 year old and 30 year old is quite big.
Players like Ampadu, Matondo, Johnson appear to have a tight bond together. Can you image Joe Allen socialising with them outside of football? I know Wales isn't about socialising, but they do.
The vibe has dramatically changed around the camp. That's not a bad thing, it's natural. But it's also natural to socially feel phased out.
Ashley Williams even said the bond wasn't as tight during the Giggs era with the younger players coming through.
For example, I'm nearly 38. The rest of my work team are 30 and under. We all get along, but there is a generational difference where we can't relate to each other. I'm not sure how I'm 38, but I'm sure I was just 27. I can tell those guys are closer with each other and I'm a bit of an outsider. They say things and words that I don't understand. What happened to 'safe', 'blates' etc? But that's cool.
The tight bond is now to start again with the younger generation.
I do however think Ramsey will be a bit of an exception. I think he's very influenced by Bellamy who was an inspirational older figure whilst he, Bale, Allen, etc were the then younger generation.
I also thinks he may feel undervalued by Wales and has a point to make. He'll want to get to 100 caps. You heard it here first!
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Post by dai on Mar 14, 2023 10:53:27 GMT
Yeah, good post, I agree with a lot of what you're saying in terms of a potential split between older and younger players. Such is the age gap between the senior and younger players there was always a possibility that was going to happen.
However, in regards to Jonny, he came through the ranks with Ward, B Davies etc, and from what I've heard, he's very good friends with both, so it's not like he's on his own in terms of a standout senior. Calling him a senior at 29 is also weird, where has the time gone?
I still come back to what Page said months ago, that not all senior players will retire at once. But that's exactly what's happening! So he's either not been reading the room, or perhaps doesn't know his squad as well as he should. All in all, a very strange situation considering what's been said by both manager and players.
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Post by njdragon on Mar 14, 2023 10:59:51 GMT
I think the main reason of his departure is he's 29 and playing league 2 - there's no way back for him and should we really be picking players at that age and level? sad but it is time to move on.
I love him and he was great for us but his time is up unfortunately, same with gunter. Bale retired, allen is seeing out his career at his home side. Ramsey is the only one still playing at a decent level.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 14, 2023 16:44:58 GMT
Ramsey, Hennessey, Davies, Kieffer these are all seniors. So he's right, not all of them will retire
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Post by marsvolta on May 20, 2023 10:00:14 GMT
Not offered a contract by Swindon, likely to go to Hibs.
Not sure if this is a decision by Jonny or Swindon .
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Post by talyfan on May 20, 2023 13:01:47 GMT
Still think he had plenty to give for us. He moves to Hibs and if he hadn't retired I don't think you'd see any issues with him being included.
Great ball carrier, versatile, gave everything and great workrate. Really handy player and could have been the few to help with the transition.
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Post by dai on May 20, 2023 13:59:52 GMT
Not offered a contract by Swindon, likely to go to Hibs. Not sure if this is a decision by Jonny or Swindon . Spoke to a relative of his who said the Hibs move was on the cards months ago, so guessing mutual. |
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Post by garynysmon on May 20, 2023 16:09:29 GMT
Good move to a pretty big club.
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Post by surge on May 20, 2023 17:43:57 GMT
Last chance for a big'ish contract, I would imagine.
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Post by foxmulder on May 20, 2023 22:34:48 GMT
Wrexham?
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Post by talyfan on Jun 14, 2023 20:17:52 GMT
Signs for Gillingham.
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Post by dai on Jun 14, 2023 22:25:48 GMT
Blimey, that's a shock. I was led to believe that the Hibs move was pretty much a done deal. Playing in the SPL would have been better than Gillingham tbh.
Having read the report, it seems that he feels he's 'coming home' by signing for Gillingham - being the closest club to his hometown in Kent. All the best to him. Still a shame he retired from int football.
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Post by ontheroadagain2 on Oct 25, 2023 17:13:35 GMT
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Post by iantov on Oct 25, 2023 17:39:39 GMT
It's sad that he is treated like this at a club that he served so well but almost every club will have a minority that think it's acceptable to abuse a returning player even without just cause. Ignorance prevails quite often unfortunately. |
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Post by marsvolta on Oct 25, 2023 21:32:36 GMT
It's sad that he is treated like this at a club that he served so well but almost every club will have a minority that think it's acceptable to abuse a returning player even without just cause. Ignorance prevails quite often unfortunately. It’s even more bizarre due to the fact that Swindon didn’t offer him a deal. What was he supposed to do? Retire because a team he has been with for two seasons decide they don’t want him anymore? |
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Post by ontheroadagain2 on Oct 25, 2023 22:06:06 GMT
It's sad that he is treated like this at a club that he served so well but almost every club will have a minority that think it's acceptable to abuse a returning player even without just cause. Ignorance prevails quite often unfortunately. I totally agree. |
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