I have woken up this morning tired, with a slight headache and the unmistakable feeling of pure elation. I walked to work singing Welsh songs loudly and proudly and sit at my desk wearing my red Wales hoodie. Pupils saying well done and already asking how I’m going to get across Europe in June. I’m buzzing, as we all are I’m sure! Before I worry about travel planning though, a few things need to be said…
I was thinking between songs that we have shared Ryan Giggs’ reign as manager, as podcasters and bloggers in a way. In fact, our first proper pod was recorded the day before Chris Coleman left to manage Sunderland, and I (as accurately as ever) predicted he would stay. Weeks later, we saw Giggs come in to be the manager of our team. It was a move many of us, Ruth and I included, were hardly excited about. Since then we have talked about him, the way he has managed our team, and our performances in every podcast we have ever recorded since. Often in great depth, and often not too positively either.
Ryan Giggs is in learning on the job
I remember complimenting some tactical switches Giggs made in the opening game of his reign against China. I can remember how we all raved about the performance as we destroyed Republic of Ireland. Rightly so. And then, that was about it. With a few exceptions, Ruth and I have hardly been positive about his work so far, and I think we need to change that. I have questioned almost every decision Giggs has made regarding team set up, line ups and much more besides. In fact, there is a lot of us who have.
I made the point on a recent pod that I felt Giggs has been unlucky with injuries/form/playing time for some players during this campaign. Key players at that. When you consider that, and the fact that we still managed to qualify, his achievement is remarkable. The reality of it too, is that he has managed a team in transition, at a time when many of the most reliable (if not spectacular) players have been cast aside for their clubs. Vokes is barely playing, Hal retired from internationals, no role for Ledley, Gunter hasn’t kicked a ball in anger for a long time and Ash went from the Premier League to temporarily being club-less. Consequently, we’ve relied on youngsters, new players and players who wouldn’t have been given a chance by another manager. Giggs has taken some massive gambles with some of these players, and most of them have paid off. Moore and Morrell typifying that better than anyone of late.
Adding youth
Moreover, Ryan Giggs has finally found a way to integrate these players into a squad sprinkled with magic. Having now integrated them, he’s got them playing to their specific strengths, and as a consequence players playing in the Championship and League One, stand shoulder to shoulder with superstars, as equals. Look at Joe Morrell, preferred last night to superstar in the making Ethan Ampadu. In alongside the majestic and metronomic Allen, he stifled attacks, and gave the ball quickly and easily to the stars around him. He didn’t need to do box to box. Just do his job. For the second time in four days he did it very well. Moore too, has hardly been on fire with Wigan. A penalty for them against Swansea (plus an assist against Bristol City) his total attacking contribution this year.
For Wales Moore has become almost vital. Key goals against Slovakia and Azerbaijan have been as important as the role he plays holding up the ball, drawing fouls and bringing others into play. We wouldn’t have to look too far for players who have a role to play even if they don’t score goals. France just won the World Cup with Giroud up front, and he didn’t score once in the tournament. The role he performed was worth goals to the squad in what he brought to them as a team. Moore is a Welsh version of Giroud. That’s more of a compliment than it looks!
There’s been some mis-steps
Don’t get me wrong, Ryan Giggs has had a few misses too with his policy. Results in Albania and Hungary being the best examples of that. James Lawrence’s involvement has been fleeting, as has that of Will Vaulks. There have been some victims of the policy too, such as Woodburn being cut adrift somewhat. Andy King has vanished. The thing is, Ryan Giggs is making this work, so it’s worth the occasional victim in my opinion. Giggs needed solidity and continuity, and he has decided on his key men at just the right time.
Finally, Giggs has come to realise that our all-out attack style of play isn’t feasible, so he has adapted. He deserves massive credit for that. The promise he set out to fulfill, that we would play an expansive style has disappeared. Instead, we have returned to some defensive solidity and added goals to that. We can break teams down when needed and be clinical when we don’t have many chances either. The recent games against very good opposition in Slovakia and at home to Croatia being the best examples. Furthermore, when we get going too, we are a joy to behold. Some of the spells in the game last night were great, especially when Hungary left us a few spaces to play into.
Apologies to Ryan Giggs
I need to offer my apologies to Ryan Giggs because of all this. I 100% doubted him and have been spectacularly proved wrong, and I’m delighted about it. He has done a great job, especially of late when things were on the line. He used the early games in his reign to figure things out, and seemingly tweak issues. It didn’t always work out, but when it’s mattered, he has made big calls and got them spot on.
Whilst he didn’t get off to a great start in the campaign (three points after three games), we have done everything we needed to, and have qualified. He is only the second man to get us to qualify for a tournament, and all from a group where 4 of the 5 teams we were up against had played in the previous Euros, and one World Cup finalist thrown in for good measure too.
Not only have we qualified, but we have done it whilst bringing through an incredibly exciting batch of young players, plus we have blended them with the superstars as I previously mentioned. He has also got us playing a brand of football which is more than entertaining enough, but solid enough too to get what we want out of football. Victories. I don’t need to be entertained when watching Wales play. I want the success we’ve been starved of for such a long time up until recently. Against all my expectations he has delivered this, and I am elated, excited, teary eyed and bleary eyed. I can’t wait for June and for this crazy ride to start all over again. Thank you, Ryan. You have made us all very happy.
Dai; Nov 2019
Image used under CC-BY-SA-3.0, Ryan Giggs; training session in Wrexham | Source / Author = lesbardd | Date = 20/5/18