Dai (@colemans_dream) takes a look at how Cymru players handled Latvia away.
Match drink – Guinness
Match companions – Griff the Dragon and Shearer the Dog
Match summary – Relief
Rob Page’s men turned out a very good first half performance and a battling second with Dai Brooks’ finish putting the sheen on the result. Wales deserved to win and in doing so, keep chances of automatic promotion alive.
But how did we play?
Ward – 6
Had little to do and the corners in the first half brought mild heart attacks. With that said, his take late in the game from a corner was excellent. He gives me anxiety but did what was required tonight.
Williams – 7
Worked hard and formed a great partnership going forward with Ramsey in the first half. A constant option for those around him in attack. Defensively still some questions to answer, but made a positive contribution to a vital win.
Mepham – 6
Did what he needed to do with little fuss. Lost his man a few times as the crosses came in but otherwise solid enough. Like Ward, he gives me heart attacks, but solid tonight.
Rodon – 7
Strong, positive, lost nothing in the air and moved the ball well when he had it. Playing regular football has made a notable difference to his contributions.
Davies – 8
Ben Davies is so underrated in this side and did everything required of him and more tonight. Helped move the ball forward in attack, led the line well and retained possession well. Great performance.
Roberts – 7
The man never stops running. Decent defensively and positive in attack. Decision making still lets him down at times and his passing is a mixed bag but a vital cog in Page’s wheel.
Ampadu – 8.5
Contender for man of the match. Superb work rate and passing to match. So physical and aggressive and a real leader with a brilliant eye for a pass. Sometimes dropped too deep which allowed Latvia on to us but overall a great game.
James – 8
Joe Morrell may be happy with the win but he will have a sleepless night about his place in the side after this young man’s performance, especially first half. I worry he’s a little slight for certain games but tonight was excellent. Worked so hard and moved the ball well in possession. Formed an immediate understanding with Ampadu which helped us manage the game so well. Faded a little late on but he was probably struggling after the physical assault he suffered. How Latvia kept 11 on the pitch is a mystery.
Wilson – 8
As he often does, drifts in and out of games but his workrate off the ball was vital. In possession, he won the penalty for the first goal and his contribution for the second was outstanding. Great attacking efforts.
Ramsey – 9 Man of the Match
Simply put, he ran the game until his substitution. Some great touches and turns with movement to confuse the most agile Latvian. The coolest penalty you’ll see in a long time too. The biggest compliment I can give him is that when he went off, Latvia grew into the game. He was so important for Wales. A great performance and proof if proof were needed that regular game time makes a huge difference to him.
Johnson – 5
I’ll get grief for that, but I thought he was poor. I know he is not a “striker” in the classic sense but he has to do more with the attacking opportunities he has. We are a side who won’t get many chances against better sides and we have to take them. The game would have been done if he’d taken his very good chances.
Subs
Brooks – 8
Didn’t really do a huge amount and possibly should have done more when faced with an open goal later in the game. All is forgiven though, with a finish filthier than a miners shovel. Beautifully put in by Wilson and his quality showed as he put the game to bed. A huge asset to have back.
Bradshaw – 6
Didn’t have time to make an impact but worked hard when he entered the fray.
Fans – 9.5.
Superb noise throughout. From “Wales Away” to Calon Lan, the Welsh hymn sheet was fully aired. I only don’t give a 10 for one reason. 8% beer served in the away end means I’m disappointed it wasn’t a fully comatose and fast asleep away end.
Latvia – 6
Weird side. Strong, physical and direct. Will always have chances in the air but too one dimensional again. To finish with 11 men is an achievement. Shouldn’t forget the chances they had in the last 10 minutes of the first half when a better side would have punished us.