Rhys’ Ratings are back! Rhys takes a look at Cymru players’ performances after the 2-0 defeat by Turkey in Samsun.
Another disappointing evening for Wales that rounds off an international camp that we’re all eager to forget. Playing Turkey away was always going to be a tough ask but with ten men for the whole of the second half it was going to take something special for Cymru to take home any points. Again, I think most of this sqaud are good players playing poorly, rather than simply poor players to begin with and that is a bittersweet silver lining. The Page critics have been in full voice following this defeat but personally feel that without the red card Wales would have gone on to get something from the match.
Embed from Getty ImagesWard
There was a moment following his fantastic penalty save last night where many Welsh fans (myself included) started to wonder if maybe it could be our night. Parried a cross poorly for an eventual disallowed goal and then couldn’t quite keep the Turkish opener out. Once he gets a hand to it, I was disappointed he didn’t stop Wales from going one done. . No complaints for the second goal however, absolute worldie.
Roberts
Wasn’t at fault for either of the Turkish goals but hasn’t shown in either game that zip that makes him a key fixture for Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
Mepham
Looks an absolute shell of the player we know he can be. Nowhere near Umut Nayir for when he headed home the Turkish opener, with clearly no lessons learned in the marking department from Friday night. Got away with one early on in the first half, before Turkey’s man advantage, as he almost played the Turkish attack onside before getting his feet in a muddle to turn into his own net.
Rodon
Better than his performance on Friday night against Armenia and looked more assured than his center back partner and yet neither of those things are much of a compliment at the moment.
N Williams
Love Neco! Wasn’t a vintage performance but put himself about. Definitely more suited to a 5 at the back that allows him more freedom to go on those ambitious attacking runs.
Morrell
Really frustrating. We were better off for having him in the team for those first 40 minutes compared to Friday’s game and then he goes and does that. One of the most clear red cards you’ll see and when the ball was in an area of the pitch which didn’t mirror his desperation to win it back.
Ampadu
Looked more comfortable with a midfield partner and picked some good passes in the initial stages of the game. Would like to see him develop his play moving from the defensive to attacking phases. Love his new chant doing the rounds on twitter too!
Wilson
Had a bit more freedom but didn’t use this to its full potential unfortunately. Linked well at time with Ramsey but all too infrequently for Wales. Always exciting seeing him over a free kick.
Ramsey
Very unlucky with penalty which was fired into his hand from point blank. It felt as though he was receiving the ball too deep that left him so much to do to progress the play into either Brennan or out wide for an outlet. Attacking capabilities stripped back after the sending off as he was asked to dig in for his team.
James
As ever, Dan James ran himself ragged for the cause. Was left with a seemingly impossible task to be the outlet for Cymru when they were down to ten men, especially losing Brennan’s pace through injury. Was direct in winning the free-kick against the odds that Wilson almost pulled out a screamer from.
Johnson
His half-chance was probably one of the best of the match for Wales but it would have been very impressive to have clipped it in from there. He’s raw and exciting though and whereas a more experienced head may have cut that back, they may not get the fans off their feet like Brennan can. Wales missed him as an outlet once he missed limped off at the interval.
Cabango (substitute ‘HT)
Brought on to add some stability to the Wales back-line. Defended well in patches but looked so vulnerable to any balls in-behind or down the channel on his and Neco’s side. Good experience for him nevertheless and he won’t have many a tougher task for Wales.
Another set of ratings wrapped up, thanks for reading and please let me know what you think! I’ll be standing by Page and the players until the end of this campaign at least, despite a really gutting couple of games. See you all in Riga