Euro 2008: Wales Squad for Rep of Ireland and San Marino

John Toshack has announced his squad to face the Republic of Ireland and San Marino for the make or break matches at the end of the month. Let’s be honest, even if we win both games it’s unlikely we can mount a realistic challenge against the resources of talent of the Germans and Czechs. Both countries have started well and have built up formidable goal differences. We’ve got some nightmare games to play besides from the big two. Cyprus are lethal at home just ask the Irish and Germans. Then there’s the away game against the Slovakians. That said I’d love to have a bloody good go at taking all of them the distance. We have games in hand on everyone in Group D now it’s up to us to utilise them. If you look at the facts concerning our three games so far it’s not as bad as you might think. We went down to a last minute goal against the Czechs, we were hammered in a freak game against the Slovaks (6 shots on target, 5 goals) and we comfortably beat the Cypriots. I don’t think we’re credible contenders I just reckon us Welsh football fans should get behind them for these two games.

No amazing surprises with the squad. Want away Shrewsbury Town midfielder David Edwards is the only uncapped player included. There was no sign of Derby’s David Jones joining up. He holds dual nationality (Welsh/English) and he’s been keenly monitored by the Welsh F.A for some time. In interviews he’s referred to international football as being a ‘distraction’ and he refuses to make a decision on a country, I can’t see old Tosh being impressed with that attitude. Watch this space! I was sorry to see that John Oster has again been left out of the squad. Oster has yet to play for Wales under John Toshack, I’m not entirely sure whether there’s a particular reason for this. I know he’s had his personal problems in the past but he’s practically a regular in the Premiership. Defender Rob Edwards is another player I feel is unlucky to miss out. I know he featured in the 5-1 Slovakian drubbing but he’s been an integral part of a Wolves team unbeaten this year and pushing for promotion.

I have to admit Toshack has left me totally confused with his choice of goalkeepers. He’s gone for Danny Coyne, Darren Ward and Paul Jones. Ward definitely deserves included and should be our first choice to start against the Irish. Coyne has done well to reclaim his number one jersey at Burnley after being injured for such a lengthy period and I’m sure most Wales fans wouldn’t mind another look at him. I can see why Tosh has picked those two but how on Earth has Paul Jones made the squad. Legendary comedian Bill Hicks believed that in the event of a nuclear holocaust the only two things to survive would be cockroaches and Rolling Stone Keith Richards. I now believe you could add Paul Jones to that list. Jones is forty in April and he hasn’t played any first team football since October. He’s not even second choice at Q.P.R any more and they won’t be renewing his contract at the end of the season. The average Wales fan assumed that his ill fated 50th cap against Slovakia was his last and that the whole affair signalled the end of his involvement with the national team especially after he was dropped for the Cyprus game. I know the chances of him playing are next to nothing and he’s only there to make the numbers but why not take a younger keeper for the experience. If I was Lewis Price I’d be gutted, especially after taking over from Jones for the Cyprus match and doing a good job. I imagine Jason Brown of Blackburn is also feeling a tad annoyed, he’s sat on the bench for two of the Euro 2008 qualifiers and kept a clean sheet against Liechtenstein in the November friendly but Jones has had the nod ahead of him. Don't get me wrong I like Jones a hell of a lot, he was such an important player for Wales at a really exciting time during the Euro 2004 qualifiers. If our current team shows half the pride in wearing a Wales shirt as he did throughout his career we’d be alright. All I’m saying is let’s give someone else a chance.

And talking of young Welsh keepers… Predictably after writing a blog all about his achievements Wayne Hennessey conceded three against Barnet on the weekend ending his fine unbeaten run. Typical.


Wales Squad to face Rep of Ireland and San Marino

Goalkeepers: Danny Coyne (Burnley), Paul Jones (QPR), Darren Ward (Sunderland).

Defenders: Gareth Bale (Southampton), Danny Collins (Sunderland,) James Collins (West Ham United), Richard Duffy (Portsmouth (loan Swansea City)), Steve Evans (Wrexham), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham United,) Craig Morgan (Peterborough United), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby County (loan Barnsley)), Sam Ricketts (Hull City).

Midfielders: Andrew Crofts (Gillingham), Arron Davies (Yeovil Town), Simon Davies (Fulham), David Edwards (Shrewsbury Town), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Jason Koumas (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City), Carl Robinson (Toronto).

Forwards: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), David Cotterill (Wigan Athletic), Jermaine Easter (Wycombe Wanderers), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Chris Llewelyn (Wrexham), Paul Parry (Cardiff City).