Ruth takes a look at the mounting issues facing Cymru and what it might mean for the starting eleven againist Belarus in Kazan.
A Proper Friendly
Cymru and Finland played out an old-fashioned friendly, with little purpose beyond game time. Relatively entertaining as these things go, and a few players got to show their worth at an international level. Some encouragement that we could make so many changes and not look an absolute mess. Overall, the missed penalty by Harry Wilson just about summed up the game. A box ticked, some useful squad building, job done.
Mounting Problems
The upcoming World Cup qualifier against Belarus is, rather obviously, increasingly mired in a string of player availability issues. The distance to Kazan has headlined the Red Walls concerns in the lead up to this international window. However, the extra 1 hour 40 minute flight time to the Russian city when compared to the Belarus capital Minsk, has now paled compared to the player related complications.
Each of the issues in their own right would be significant, but it is the cumulative toll that really gets the alarm bells ringing.
Embed from Getty ImagesInjuries, COVID and visas
Eight players that were, or would have been, in the original squad are missing through injury. Aaron Ramsey, Joe Rodon, David Brooks and Connor Roberts would all have been seen in competitive action. Add Ben Cabango, Tom Lawrence, Rabbi Matondo and George Thomas as squad depth, and the gaps start to show.
The visa complexities will have predominantly fallen on Mark Evans and his team. The players though were also embroiled, sometimes in very practical ways as James Lawrence described in a recent press conference. In his case, four days to gather the necessary detailed paperwork, plus a day round trip to Berlin.
Three players Ethan Ampadu, Tyler Roberts and Brandon Cooper are without visas. Ampadu’s situation may well be tied into his loan to Venezia, clearly a move of real significance for him. He might be facing another season battling relegation, but appearances in Serie A can only be good for Cymru. Obviously, he had to prioritize an Italian work visa, over the visit to Russia.
Embed from Getty ImagesStir in the COVID bubble needs, and players visiting new clubs as the transfer window closes, and the concern and angst mounts. Not having a clear alternative when Kieffer Moore is not available, this time through ‘close contact’ COVID quarantining following Adam Davies positive test, remains a hole in the squad that should have been prevented. Admittedly it seems it would not have been known until late last week that Tyler Roberts was without a visa to Russia, too late for a direct replacement to himself get a visa. However, of all the issues, this feels like the one we could have addressed by having a deeper frontline months ago.
UEFA’s role
With a behind closed doors game, the complexities of choosing Russia do seem an unnecessary headache. UEFA’s decision should be questioned, as the FAW have initiated. More consciously than ever, UEFA needs to balance ‘club and country’. A location change that was inevitably going to mean visa application commitments clashing with club commitments, should not be ignored.
Embed from Getty ImagesMost of these issues are faced by all UEFA teams as this international window approaches, but it does seem that Cymru (and Belgium) have been additionally and disproportionately affected by the switch to Kazan. However, we’re missing 11 players through injury and COVID issues, completely independently of the choice of Kazan and the resulting questioning of UEFA.
Looking ahead
Based on all these provisos, the starting eleven on Sunday will still have the backbone of an experienced team. Ben Davies and Chris Gunter at the back, Joe Allen in the centre and Bale upfront, does not seem such a bad spine. Add Dan James and Chris Mepham, now both passed 20 caps, and perhaps things are not so dark.
I think James Lawrence will partner Chris Mepham, flanked by Ben Davies and Chris Gunter. From there, Joe Morrell and Joe Allen pair up, with Dan James and Gareth Bale ahead. With Danny Ward in goal, that leaves two places open. These will probably be based on performances in the Finland game. I’d anticipate Matt Smith supporting in midfield and Brennan Johnson centring the attack. But you can make a case for Jonnie Williams’ experience being useful or Dylan Levitt’s work rate too.
Despite the concerns, I’d hope we have enough to defeat a Belarus team ranked 89th in the world, who have been progressively slipping downwards for the last six years.
Pob lwc hogla!