Rhys’s Ratings
Cymru 2:4 Armenia
16/06/2023
Ryan’s ratings return! Not easy reading, but …..
Back again for another ratings! Before you take a look I just want to clarify that this isn’t an eagerly awaited chance to ‘bash’ the Cymru players, it was a poor evening for the boys and there’s no excusing that but mainly I think there’s a frustration amongst Y Wal Goch because we love these players, love this team and know we can do so much better. So I’ve tried to be as fair as I can in what was a bad day at the office. Further, I just want to say credit to Armenia, they were really impressive and scored some fantastic goals in dispatching Wales. An important reminder to us all that there are no easy games in international football and definitely not in Welsh football.
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Danny Ward
Was let down in part by his defense in front of him but didn’t dive for two of the goals, was that good finishing or poor goalkeeping? Probably a mixture of both. Looked really unsure for most of the game, akin to at the beginning of the season at club level and conceding four at home will do him no favours in that department.
Connor Roberts
Didn’t do enough for me defensively to stop some of crosses going in, battled well though and was a constant nuisance with his long throws. Had better days.
Chris Mepham
A game both centre backs will want to forget. Really poor marking for the crosses that went in to the box and generally just didn’t look assured back there. Caught in complete no man’s land for Armenia’s third, you need your center back to either cut that pass out or drop back in – unfortunately he did neither here.
Joe Rodon
Similar to Mepham, really struggled on the night. The pace of the Armenians on the break caused him a bundle of problems. Was really unlucky not to head in at the back post, good movement to create the chance but just over. Frustrating game summed up when he tried to drag Wales up the pitch (something you want your leaders to do) only to get caught in possession leading to an Armenian goal.
Ben Davies
Didn’t anticipate the early cross for Ranos’s first of the match and generally felt a bit exposed at left back. Tactically I think he’s got to play in at left center back now because he looked much more solid when he was switched there with Neco entering in the second half.
Ethan Ampadu
Battled well but was fighting a losing battle against a very tenacious opposition midfield. Tactically let down you feel, he had a lot to do in there as the sole holding midfielder and wasn’t up to the task, not on his own at least.
Aaron Ramsey
Dropped deep to try and build some tempo into the Cymru attacks but that’s not where we needed him to be. Didn’t do a lot wrong but lacking the dynamism we so desperately needed from him.
Brennan Johnson
Looked absolutely shattered. I don’t know if it was a complete burnout from Nottingham Forest’s relentless relegation battle this season but he didn’t have any of the drive that we needed to break down the opposition. The only glimpse of it we saw was when he superbly found Dan James for Cymru’s opener and that made it all the more frustrating that Brennan didn’t do it more often!
Harry Wilson
Didn’t do much to help out Ampadu in curbing the Armenian attacks, but that’s not the type of player he is so again tactically he’s not at fault for that. Actually picked up some good positions in pockets in front of the Armenian defences but Cymru were far too safe in their passing to try and utilise this.
Dan James
Gets a lot of critics but never hides. He kept going and going tonight and didn’t shy away from trying to make things happen for Cymru. That horrendous sliced cross will be the thing that sticks in fans heads (along with his tidy finish for his goal) but you’d rather a winger that’s trying to get to the byline and create than simply playing it safe.
Kieffer Moore
Kieffer Kieffer Kieffer *sigh*. Some big chances missed for our big number 13 and on a day when we didn’t create many they look all the more glaring. He’s become so important to the way Wales play and so when he’s not firing, Wales were always going to struggle. Not all bad though, did cause problems for the defense and will feel unlucky not to have converted. As for the sending off, Ognen Cancarevic has made an absolute meal of it and the ref has bought it. However, Kieffer’s given the ref something to buy, however minor, and you’re always running the risk when that happens. For the record it would have been a yellow for both players and on with the match if I was in charge (but then who would write these ratings?!)
David Brooks (sub ’70)
A quick mention of Brooksy and the reception he got, regardless of the scoreline at the time, shows that their are some things that transcend football and his inspirational story is firmly in that category. Wasn’t just an emotional cameo though, he did bring a drive to the Welsh attack and was unlucky not curl in when cutting in from the left in added time.
Joe Morrell (sub ’70)
Gets a lot of stick for playing in League 1 but if we have him in there from the start alongside Ampadu (presumably for Ramsey/Wilson) then the game is a different story and frankly Page must shoulder the blame for underestimating Armenia’s offensive capabilities. Had his pocket picked for the Armenian fourth which was really poor but he’ll learn from that. Could also be argued that the play out from the back wasn’t on in the first place.
Diolch yn fawr am ddarllen! Let me know if you agree with the player reviews and make sure to share with all your mates. Onto the next Cymru 👍