A new writer on the team, Robbie @RobbieT04710193, takes a look at the decisions Rob Page made in September’s international window, and proposes some less-discussed player options. Do you agree?
Good things come in threes. That was certainly the case for Cymru in Kazan and Gareth Bale ending his goal drought. The game against Belarus looked set up to be a bad one. In addition to the unnecessary travel to Russia and the bureaucratic chaos involved, injuries, suspension and red tape meant that Rob Page fielded a team that was at 50% strength at best.
A perfect start though, just 5 minutes on the clock, a penalty to Cymru and Bale with his first goal in 13 games. Surely an easy ride from here on? Alas not.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe hard way it would be for Cymru. The third penalty of the game and a last gasp shot saw Bale complete his hat trick and secure a crucial three points for Cymru.
And breathe, onto the plane and Estonia in front of the Red Wall. What could go wrong? Well, it would seem not much, but also not much going right.
A draw on the night
Any real fan of the Cymru national team knows that no game can be underestimated. As a small nation we rarely come up against opponents that we are 100% expected to overcome. However, that does not mean that we are never favourites. Afterall, a couple of star men, highly rated youngsters and those who tend to step up with the Dragon on their chest; Cymru can be a force.
So, with key men like Ethan Ampadu back, as well as our star captain and the squad riding the high of the win against Belarus surely another win was on the table against a team that were pointless in the group.
The plain brutal answer was no. Golden chances were had in the game, from Gunter’s stroll down the right and perfectly waited pass to Wilson, to Roberts being one on one with Williams to his right, and of course Bale’s double chance. The ball simply would not go in.
Embed from Getty ImagesNow we can give Estonia some credit here, a stiff and well marshalled defence and a young fearless keeper made it difficult for the men in red. And perhaps we can take some pleasure in knowing that this Estonia team, which though without any points before Wednesday night, had scored in each of their games; putting two past Belarus, the Czech Republic and most impressively Belgium. The losses aside, that is credible.
But the reality is this, Cymru fans would’ve much rather conceded two goals if it meant we came away with the three points. So, what went wrong or rather what didn’t quite go right?
The midfield
It goes without saying that a Cymru midfield without Aaron Ramsey is a weak one but another poorly timed injury meant we’d be without their midfield maestro once again. And so on Wednesday night the midfield roles fell to Joe Allen, Joe Morrell and Harry Wilson, which is not a bad midfield at all.
Joe Allen’s place in a Cymru starting 11 is rarely ever in question, long has he been an integral part of it and rarely performs so badly as to take blame.
Embed from Getty ImagesHarry Wilson’s ability is there for everyone to see, three seasons in the championship with three different clubs and one in the premier league; strong performances have always followed. Worldies, Bale-esque free kicks and moments of magic follow Wilson wherever he goes, and the story looks to continue with Fulham. And if he had taken the chance before the 50 second mark then this article may have been very different.
Sadly, Wilson was forced off in the first half and replaced by Jonny Williams. Williams is a good player and can affect games, but in my opinion was a poor trade for Wilson who if he had played the whole game could have realistically changed things.
And lastly Joe Morrell, a favourite of the management it would seem. Coming into the senior squad under Ryan Giggs and quickly showing why he should be there. Strong performances in the qualification for the Euros and Nations League seemed to suggest that Morrell would be a key player for Cymru for years to come but things have slowed down. An unfruitful move to Luton Town almost certainly stalled his development and blunted his ability.
Now back in League One, the division in which he played when he burst into the senior squad perhaps things can get back on track.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhere’s the spark?
The issue with these three, in my opinion, is that on Wednesday none of them could find the spark for Cymru. Wilson’s chance before even the first minute should have been a goal, a player of his quality should be finishing that chance. With the penalty miss against Finland, Wilson will certainly be wondering how he does not have two more goals to add to his Cymru tally.
And the two Joes are not high scoring or high assisting midfielders. They play passes, they break attacks, and they keep things moving. This is integral for every team and perhaps with a little bit more luck Morrell could have won it at the death with that final burst into the box. But this wasn’t to be, and we have to ask why and what changes could have been made?
Despite missing a diamond chance Wilson should remain. His ability is in short supply in the Cymru squad and perhaps if he had been able to play the whole game he could’ve done more. And Joe Allen is Joe Allen, enough said.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis brings us to Morrell. I will keep faith with every Welsh player provided they don’t betray us like a certain James Collins did. I wholeheartedly believe that a Joe Morrell who plays week in week out for Portsmouth in League One can become the player he was when he first broke into the team. But he is not there yet, and Page should probably have seen that.
Another option?
Within this Cymru squad, was in my opinion one of the oddest recent call ups to the Welsh squad. Josh Sheehan, the ex-Newport midfielder somehow found himself in the Cymru squad for the final two Nations League matches and friendly against the USA. Now, yes, he was playing very well for Newport, but this was in League Two, surely not good enough for Cymru. Well, the cameo against the USA brought praise and continued strong performances for County brought a move to newly promoted Bolton Wanderers. And after half a dozen games the argument makes itself, two goals, one assist and a couple man of the match awards. Sheehan was the inform League One midfielder coming into these games not Joe Morrell.
Embed from Getty ImagesNow we as fans know very little from behind the scenes, perhaps Joe Morrell bosses every training session. The point is Page will choose the team he thinks is best, but Joe Morrell is right now far from his best. Is it time for Josh Sheehan to become more involved in the squad? Should places become much less secure?
The target men
It is not overstating to say that Cymru play worse without Kieffer Moore. Since his first competitive appearance against Slovakia, which also accompanied his first goal for Cymru, he has been undrop-able. His first two goals for Cymru were integral to our eventual qualification for the Euros, as well as his assist for Ramsey’s all important second against Hungary.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Moore on the pitch Cymru have options plain and simple. We can play it long with the assurance that our number 9 will get that ball under control and move the team forward. Or we can play it wide and through the middle with the faith that Kieffer will draw defenders and midfielders to him like moths to the flame, because he is that dangerous. Set pieces and balls into the box become increasingly more dangerous and players like Bale and James have much more freedom on the pitch to do what they do.
If Cymru lacked one key part of their play in this international break it was the lack of a true target man. Mark Harris has done very well with his chances and on another day may have had his first goal for his country, but he lacks the physical ability of a Moore type. Tyler Roberts is much more suited in a #10 role.
Embed from Getty ImagesNow we can’t put too much blame on Page, covid robbed us of Moore long before a ball was kicked and for the first two games Page had to adapt. Which for the most part he and Cymru did. An inconsequential friendly draw and a hard-fought win against Belarus helped to ease fans’ fears. But those fears came roaring back against Estonia.
Without Moore, Cymru found their options limited and blunted. Estonia were incredibly hard to play through, and when we did the ball was hardly coming to the feet of out and out goal scorers (Wilson the exception) or players who could realistically match the physicality of their Estonian counterparts. And the question has to be asked, was there a replacement for Moore just waiting to be called up? Well yes and no.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe name that was on many fans’ lips before the squad was announced was Luke Jephcott. The Plymouth Argyle youngster has been tearing up League One, but sadly he was not picked by Page and then covid also made any last-minute call up impossible.
Return for Vokes
Christian Doidge, who is nursing a long-term injury, was also unavailable but a call up is for the Hibs striker remains unlikely. That in my opinion leaves one realistic option, one who best matches what Moore brings to Cymru. Sam Vokes. Once an ever-present in the Cymru squad and perhaps the most lethal of Cymru attackers at club level, Vokes has seen his chances for caps all but gone and has since dropped down into League One to play for Wycombe Wanderers.
After five games Vokes has two goals and one assist for Wycombe, not bad form for a player who went 30 games in the championship without either. And in terms for physical presence Vokes matches Moore very well. Even if Vokes is no longer the goal threat he once was, in terms of set pieces and giving Cymru another option in the build-up, he would have offered something for Cymru that we were severely lacking.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat now?
Now we dust ourselves off and we go again. The battle for first is most likely lost, barring Belgium dropping points to an unlikely foe. It is on Cymru to ensure we give ourselves the best playoff chance possible and that means coming second in our group. Every game until Belgium in Cardiff is winnable and even then I back us against the world number ones.
We have a month of club football for players to find form and build their confidence for the October games. Keep the faith Cymru fans, it’s not over yet.