Cymru World Cup Squad

stantys tattoos

never sober
💎 DIAMOND VIP 💎
⚽ MODERATOR ⚽
❺ 5 YEARS ❺
🗐 200 PAGER 🗐
PICKEM 21/22 WINNER
PICKEM 19/20 WINNER
GTA 22/23 WINNER
~LMS Belarus~
₡ BOOKIES ₡
🔥 FIREMAN STANT 🔥
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
I ❤ JASON PERRY
I ❤ NG
🍺 BEER CLUB 🍺
$ BANK $
Joined
20 Feb 2019
Messages
81,086
Credits
140,486
You also can't underestimate how much weaker our playing squad is with players who are playing for teams who are in League 2.

Gunter and Williams are inarguably sentimental choices because you don't take players from the bottom of the league pyramid based on performance and quality.
but what's the difference of taking 2 younger players who aren't going to play and taking the likes of gunter and williams who aren't going to play and upsetting the "group" ? :hehe: obviously team spirit is the thing the welsh squad is about shirley :thumbup:
 

Heisenberg

Ballon d'Or Winner
❷ 2 YEARS ❷
↯ INB4 CHAMP 2021 ↯
Joined
9 Sep 2020
Messages
4,455
Credits
10,000
but what's the difference of taking 2 younger players who aren't going to play and taking the likes of gunter and williams who aren't going to play and upsetting the "group" ? :hehe: obviously team spirit is the thing the welsh squad is about shirley :thumbup:
There's every chance that Gunter and Williams may need to play as it's a tournament competition and injuries could fuck us over.

Also... why the fuck do we automatically accept that choosing two players in a World Cup squad because they have been around forever is good for morale? In my opinion, being surrounded by colleagues who are chosen by merit would be better for morale.

I'd be massively pissed off if one of my teammates was overlooked for someone less talented because of sentiment.

Ollie Cooper has been robbed of a place by Jonny Williams because JW has been around previous squads for a decade.

Andrew Hughes (as one example) has been a good, regular Championship player for years yet League 2 Gunter gets to go to a World Cup because "team spirit".

Sorry Stants, that doesn't sit right with me.
 

stantys tattoos

never sober
💎 DIAMOND VIP 💎
⚽ MODERATOR ⚽
❺ 5 YEARS ❺
🗐 200 PAGER 🗐
PICKEM 21/22 WINNER
PICKEM 19/20 WINNER
GTA 22/23 WINNER
~LMS Belarus~
₡ BOOKIES ₡
🔥 FIREMAN STANT 🔥
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
I ❤ JASON PERRY
I ❤ NG
🍺 BEER CLUB 🍺
$ BANK $
Joined
20 Feb 2019
Messages
81,086
Credits
140,486
There's every chance that Gunter and Williams may need to play as it's a tournament competition and injuries could f**k us over.

Also... why the f**k do we automatically accept that choosing two players in a World Cup squad because they have been around forever is good for morale? In my opinion, being surrounded by colleagues who are chosen by merit would be better for morale.

I'd be massively pissed off if one of my teammates was overlooked for someone less talented because of sentiment.

Ollie Cooper has been robbed of a place by Jonny Williams because JW has been around previous squads for a decade.

Andrew Hughes (as one example) has been a good, regular Championship player for years yet League 2 Gunter gets to go to a World Cup because "team spirit".

Sorry Stants, that doesn't sit right with me.
well why colwill who hasn't played hardly this season not tom lawrence :shrug2: we are not not the manager i think he knows best not us, team spirit is a big thing in this wales squad imo
 

Heisenberg

Ballon d'Or Winner
❷ 2 YEARS ❷
↯ INB4 CHAMP 2021 ↯
Joined
9 Sep 2020
Messages
4,455
Credits
10,000
well why colwill who hasn't played hardly this season not tom lawrence :shrug2: we are not not the manager i think he knows best not us, team spirit is a big thing in this wales squad imo
Colwill doesn't deserve to go and neither does Lawrence (who has played 5 SPL games this season).

Since when have managers always known best? They're not infallible.

I already agreed with you that team spirit is important but I disagree that picking players who should never be near a World Cup squad is good for morale.

There's nothing stopping Gunter and Williams from travelling with the squad and being glorified mascots... if their presence is somehow going to produce results.

I'd personally prefer the 2 squad places go to players who can actually function beyond League 2 level these days.

It's a World Cup FFS.
 

TDA

The Fun Police
⭐ PLATINUM VIP ⭐
🏆 GOLD VIP 🏆
⚽ MODERATOR ⚽
🎲 GAMESMASTER 🎲
💰 JACKPOT! 💰
❻ 6 YEARS ❻
🗐 200 PAGER 🗐
🏅 UNSUNG HERO 🏅
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
I ❤ NG
🍺 BEER CLUB 🍺
$ BANK $
Joined
4 Dec 2017
Messages
31,745
Credits
23,790
Colwill doesn't deserve to go and neither does Lawrence (who has played 5 SPL games this season).

Since when have managers always known best? They're not infallible.

I already agreed with you that team spirit is important but I disagree that picking players who should never be near a World Cup squad is good for morale.

There's nothing stopping Gunter and Williams from travelling with the squad and being glorified mascots... if their presence is somehow going to produce results.

I'd personally prefer the 2 squad places go to players who can actually function beyond League 2 level these days.

It's a World Cup FFS.
26 is a big squad compared to years ago when it was 22. The lower number was perfectly adequate for footballing purposes. 26 does allow for sentiment and for loyalty to the rewarded by being a full squad member.

Beyond a dozen or so players, the talent in the Wales' squad is pretty thin, so will it really make that much difference?
 

Heisenberg

Ballon d'Or Winner
❷ 2 YEARS ❷
↯ INB4 CHAMP 2021 ↯
Joined
9 Sep 2020
Messages
4,455
Credits
10,000
26 is a big squad compared to years ago when it was 22. The lower number was perfectly adequate for footballing purposes. 26 does allow for sentiment and for loyalty to the rewarded by being a full squad member.

Beyond a dozen or so players, the talent in the Wales' squad is pretty thin, so will it really make that much difference?
As you say, it's not been 22 for "years" so it's not relevant.

With the 3 most important matches in Welsh footballing history coming up and the potential for injuries, suspensions and fatigue... Yes, I'd say it would make a difference having the ability to call upon 2 players with the ability to perform at a level above League 2.

Like I said earlier, if these two are so important to morale and aren't going to play, then buy them plane tickets and book them a hotel room... For sentiment's sake.

Ollie Cooper, Andrew Hughes, Jordan James, Ben Woodburn, Nathan Broadhead, Morgan Fox, Rabbi Matondo, Tyler Roberts, Ryan Hedges, Tom Bradshaw and even Andy King (!!!) have featured regularly for teams playing at Championship level (or for Rangers) this season and would be far superior options to two League 2 players on a football pitch... In my opinion.
 

NumberAde

Ballon d'Or Winner
💎 DIAMOND VIP 💎
❻ 6 YEARS ❻
✪✪✪ CHAMPION ✪✪✪
PICKEM 20/21 WINNER
☘ 100 PAGER ☘
💩 CRAP JOKE 2022 💩
Joined
25 Mar 2018
Messages
18,431
Credits
18,770
There's a definite forceful agenda to include birds, regardless of sporting knowledge or levels of ugliness.

I got no complaints as long as they look like the ones that follow Brazil around, or those Mexican weather girls.

GIVE ME SOMETHING TO WORK WITH BBC.
 

NumberAde

Ballon d'Or Winner
💎 DIAMOND VIP 💎
❻ 6 YEARS ❻
✪✪✪ CHAMPION ✪✪✪
PICKEM 20/21 WINNER
☘ 100 PAGER ☘
💩 CRAP JOKE 2022 💩
Joined
25 Mar 2018
Messages
18,431
Credits
18,770
Must be gutting for those lads not to be a part of things but it’ll feel so much better for them when we qualify for the next Euros in Germany and we get to travel in numbers to a proper footballing nation.

Gutting, but hopefully an inspiration too. Loyalty is rewarded, so important to show up in the future. Hearing their experiences in Qatar should, we hope, add an extra 10% to performances for 2026 qualification. We will probably need it with the loss of a few stars.

I think a few places have been wasted for reasons of sentimentality, and the one thing that worries me about that is that "we may never get here again" is at the front of their minds. I hope I am wrong, but I don't see why we can't do an Ireland and become regular fixtures here even when the stars have retired.

That said, I can understand why Gunter and Williams were picked but there is a sense that both will be making up the numbers. Gunter may get 3 minutes if we are 2-0 up to Iran and cruising. Williams may break his leg getting off the plane. Maybe both are key players in the changing rooms - good for morale. These squads used to be 22, and it shows how far we have come that we had a pool of maybe 32 players. In 1994 we may have been struggling to get 22 players, although I'd argue that the 11 on the pitch then were in a better place than the 11 we have at the moment, but not by much, this Wales squad has a lot more depth and a lot more pride in the shirt in my opinion.
 

Glos Blue

Ballon d'Or Winner
💎 DIAMOND VIP 💎
⚽ MODERATOR ⚽
😎 FORUM LEGEND 😎
❻ 6 YEARS ❻
FOURCAST WINNER 22/23
☘ 100 PAGER ☘
₡ BOOKIES ₡
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
$ BANK $
👂 Trusted Listener 👂
Joined
9 Nov 2017
Messages
16,518
Credits
55,990
Colwill doesn't deserve to go and neither does Lawrence (who has played 5 SPL games this season).
You could say the same about Allen, Wilson, James and Bale who have all hardly played this season.

Unfortunately we’re not blessed with infinite premier league quality players, so have to take a risk on those who may not been fully match fit.
 

Heisenberg

Ballon d'Or Winner
❷ 2 YEARS ❷
↯ INB4 CHAMP 2021 ↯
Joined
9 Sep 2020
Messages
4,455
Credits
10,000
You could say the same about Allen, Wilson, James and Bale who have all hardly played this season.

Unfortunately we’re not blessed with infinite premier league quality players, so have to take a risk on those who may not been fully match fit.
I agree with you. I was responding in context to Stanty who said Colwill doesn't deserve to go above Tom Lawrence due to match time this season.

If that's the basis then I said neither deserve to go to Qatar...

But I'd have both of them on the plane before Williams and Gunter.
 

Heisenberg

Ballon d'Or Winner
❷ 2 YEARS ❷
↯ INB4 CHAMP 2021 ↯
Joined
9 Sep 2020
Messages
4,455
Credits
10,000
If "team spirit" is more important than the quality of players, can Ledley and Coleman be called up instead of Adam Davies and Matt Smith?
 

Martin John

Ballon d'Or Winner
❺ 5 YEARS ❺
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
Joined
16 Oct 2018
Messages
2,977
Credits
10,000
There's every chance that Gunter and Williams may need to play as it's a tournament competition and injuries could f**k us over.

Also... why the f**k do we automatically accept that choosing two players in a World Cup squad because they have been around forever is good for morale? In my opinion, being surrounded by colleagues who are chosen by merit would be better for morale.

I'd be massively pissed off if one of my teammates was overlooked for someone less talented because of sentiment.

Ollie Cooper has been robbed of a place by Jonny Williams because JW has been around previous squads for a decade.

Andrew Hughes (as one example) has been a good, regular Championship player for years yet League 2 Gunter gets to go to a World Cup because "team spirit".

Sorry Stants, that doesn't sit right with me.

Ryan Hedges is the big one for me. Has been one of Blackburn’s best players this season and would walk into our midfield based on ability, yet can’t even get into the squad. Should have been integrated into the squad at some point this year.
 

Heisenberg

Ballon d'Or Winner
❷ 2 YEARS ❷
↯ INB4 CHAMP 2021 ↯
Joined
9 Sep 2020
Messages
4,455
Credits
10,000
Ryan Hedges is the big one for me. Has been one of Blackburn’s best players this season and would walk into our midfield based on ability, yet can’t even get into the squad. Should have been integrated into the squad at some point this year.
What's his bants like though? Team spirit, init mun.
 

stantys tattoos

never sober
💎 DIAMOND VIP 💎
⚽ MODERATOR ⚽
❺ 5 YEARS ❺
🗐 200 PAGER 🗐
PICKEM 21/22 WINNER
PICKEM 19/20 WINNER
GTA 22/23 WINNER
~LMS Belarus~
₡ BOOKIES ₡
🔥 FIREMAN STANT 🔥
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
I ❤ JASON PERRY
I ❤ NG
🍺 BEER CLUB 🍺
$ BANK $
Joined
20 Feb 2019
Messages
81,086
Credits
140,486

Heisenberg

Ballon d'Or Winner
❷ 2 YEARS ❷
↯ INB4 CHAMP 2021 ↯
Joined
9 Sep 2020
Messages
4,455
Credits
10,000
@Heisenberg

Oof... This is surely the thing that could have let Gunter and Williams join the squad and not keep other players out of it.

A win/win, open goal situation that has been badly missed.

I'll be writing to my local MP/councillor/psychotherapist this afternoon to complain :hehe:
 

Melvin Udal

Ballon d'Or Winner
💎 DIAMOND VIP 💎
❶ 1 YEAR ❶
☘ 100 PAGER ☘
𝕎 TOP WORDLER 𝕎
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
I ❤ NG
🍺 BEER CLUB 🍺
Joined
17 Apr 2022
Messages
37,888
Credits
352,904
Ĺ
Oof... This is surely the thing that could have let Gunter and Williams join the squad and not keep other players out of it.

A win/win, open goal situation that has been badly missed.

I'll be writing to my local MP/councillor/psychotherapist this afternoon to complain :hehe:
Psycho the rapist:sherlock:
 

PointyHead

Ballon d'Or Winner
❶ 1 YEAR ❶
Joined
10 Jul 2022
Messages
7,008
Credits
10,000
There's every chance that Gunter and Williams may need to play as it's a tournament competition and injuries could fuck us over.

Also... why the fuck do we automatically accept that choosing two players in a World Cup squad because they have been around forever is good for morale? In my opinion, being surrounded by colleagues who are chosen by merit would be better for morale.

I'd be massively pissed off if one of my teammates was overlooked for someone less talented because of sentiment.

Ollie Cooper has been robbed of a place by Jonny Williams because JW has been around previous squads for a decade.

Andrew Hughes (as one example) has been a good, regular Championship player for years yet League 2 Gunter gets to go to a World Cup because "team spirit".

Sorry Stants, that doesn't sit right with me.
It's all subjective though.

Page has his views, but comparing player X with player Y on talent alone isn't always valid, it's also about squad composition.

Andrew Hughes - left back primarily, can at a pinch play LCB. On that score he'd be behind Ben Davies on talent. Gunter can cover more positions; equally, with his experience, would be a better bet to bring on late in a game if you need to see the game out.

Ollie Cooper has played in half of Swanseas league games, only playing the full 90 minutes in one game; hasn't featured for Wales at senior level at all. It would be a massive reach to include him. Willaims, like Gunter, is someone that can be brought on to close a game out.

Could argue Bale shouldn't be in the squad. Was permanently injured for Real, hasn't played a complete game for LAFC in a weak league.
 

Cyncoedslumdog

Ballon d'Or Winner
❻ 6 YEARS ❻
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
I ❤ NG
🍺 BEER CLUB 🍺
Joined
19 Dec 2017
Messages
1,860
Credits
12,100
Williams and Gunter are essential for Qatar. Williams is the quizmaster and Gunter is in charge of the karaoke machine. They're both great value on football tour piss ups.
 

Melvin Udal

Ballon d'Or Winner
💎 DIAMOND VIP 💎
❶ 1 YEAR ❶
☘ 100 PAGER ☘
𝕎 TOP WORDLER 𝕎
❼ WHITTINGHAM ❼
I ❤ NG
🍺 BEER CLUB 🍺
Joined
17 Apr 2022
Messages
37,888
Credits
352,904
Williams and Gunter are essential for Qatar. Williams is the quizmaster and Gunter is in charge of the karaoke machine. They're both great value on football tour piss ups.
Shit on the grass
 
Activity
No activity at the moment...

Login or Register

Forgot your password?
or register in seconds
with your social account
Don't have an account? Register now
Top