Luck of the Irish - Wales v Republic of Ireland 17.11.07

As the final Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff came to an end on Saturday evening the sense of relief provided by Jason Koumas and his dramatic late penalty obscured the usual feeling of disappointment that comes at the end of a campaign. The Irish fans, who were fantastic throughout, were finally silenced and for around five minutes the Millennium Stadium held the sort of atmosphere I would love to see at all of our home games. I sat in the North Stand for a change and it was miles better than where I usually buy tickets for. It was mostly made up of adults who were up for a sing song but all very good natured. And best of all it's the cheapest seating area! Had a great night in Cardiff afterwards. Got talking to some top Irish fans about the match in Hard Rock Cafe, I went round each one asking who they wanted as their next manager and why like I was interviewing them for Football Focus!!!

Under circumstances I don't think Wales could have done much better on Saturday. The loss of Bellamy and Bale were hard enough to cover but to lose Earnshaw and Nyatanga so close to kick off would have given Toshack a headache. Starting with both Earley and Gunter could have blown up in his face but they pulled it off. I thought tactically things went well enough and we took the forced substitution of Carl Robinson in our stride. In fact one of the main plus points for me was the introduction of Dave Edwards. He made a few mistakes, which is to be expect on his first cap, but he looked hungry. I know I'm getting well ahead of myself here but after ten minutes I was thinking we have to start with him against Germany! We're amazingly short on midfielders and with the promising batch in the Under 21s far off maturity you have to at least consider giving Edwards a chance in the friendly against Norway in February. Chris Gunter also looked confident in both the left and right back positions and wasn't scared of going forward when needed. You could perhaps criticise Toshack for bringing on Easter before Cotterill. I couldn't really understand that one, Easter obviously had a great season last year but he's hardly kicked a ball this one. Problem is as well he's never really looked like scoring in the games he's played for Wales. Hopefully he can prove himself at a higher level while on loan at Plymouth and keep his place as the fourth choice striker.

Jason Koumas showed why he will always be in the starting eleven for Wales. He can at times seem so disinterested during a game but then pop up just when you need him. His header of Saturday was a peach and it showed his versatility when it comes to goal scoring. He was a constant threat against Ireland forcing a couple of good saves from long distance. As many Welsh fans predicted he picked up another yellow card which stops him from playing in Germany. Koumas has a poor attendance record for Wales away games and this has led to rumours beginning to circulate about him having a Dennis Bergkamp style fear of flying. This would explain a lot about his international career but I believe if he came out and admitted to having a phobia most Welsh fans would be sympathetic and get off his back. Best working something out with him than losing him completely. That said it could be a load of rubbish and Koumas just might prefer spending the odd international break at home with his missus.

Anyway onto to Germany for the last one minus most of our first choice team. You would have to say a thrashing is on the cards but don't worry Welsh fans check out this conspiracy about Wednesdays match put forward on the Sporting Life website-

Germany, it has been suggested, might not want to win the group now because it would make them one of the four top seeds. That would see them alongside hosts Austria, Switzerland and holders Greece.
If Germany contrive to finish second on Wednesday, they would then give themselves the chance of meeting one of those three decidedly weak sides in next summer's finals, rather than being forced to avoid them by the seeding.

First the JFK assassination and now this! I just don't know who to trust anymore!

A Little Mid-Table Anonymity Please

So, it's official, Brian Little is appointed Wrexham FC's new manager. Back to yesterdays post, i just hope we get something of an act together and begin to climb steadily up towards mid-table anonymity, and not be the laughing stock propping up League 2 again.

I drove past the Racecourse just over an hour ago, the floodlights we're on, and flags along the kop were at half-mast - is this a traditional symbol of a change in manager in residence? Or perhaps the marking of a passing of an ex-Wrexham FC player or long standing fan? Great gesture either way.

Anyhow, new manager, brighter times ahead, surely!

At last nights "Wednesday night football", I learnt one of the lads who plays with us, lives next door to Neil Taylor (the young left-back i've been raving about for the past 6 months). Apparently "he's a cock", on enquiring further he is said to also be "a fuckin' chav". What I think is... Neil is becoming Wrexhams 1st choice left-back, he represents Wales U19's as captain, has Wales U21 experience and may even one day break through to gain his first international cap... whereas his neighbour... might be jealous of just playing on Wednesday nights with us lot kickin' lumps out of each other for an hour and a half! Gilly, if you're reading this, fair play you're a nippy little bastard on the pitch, and sorry for any shin damage you may be experiencing today.

The Joke Continues

Wrexham FC. Ive got to write about it. OK, "quick capsule review" of recent 2007 events:

June - Carey offered a "2 year managerial contract", following keeping Wrexham in the Football League on the final Saturday, he accepts.

July/August: Pre-Season doesnt go well. Results begin "OK", good home win v Morecambe, beat Port Vale in the League Cup, and get to face Aston Villa...

Last 3 months: "Everything" deteriorates, rapidly, worse than i've ever seen on the pitch.

And so here we are, mid November; Wrexham have scored "3" goals at the Racecourse all season. Chesterfield scored 3 at the Racecourse in just 15 minutes... it's bad.. The chairmen announced almost 2 weeks ago now on the "official" website that Carey will be asked to step down (sacked?) and perhaps "assist" a more experienced manager - "an announcement will be made on Thursday" . On BBC Sport we had headlines such as "Brians Exit Speech". Rumours abound to Careys successor... though when no announcement was made. Confusion and speculation and conspiracy theories abound... the next day the board then comment to the press about potential names taking over and who they have "been in conversation with": "Aldridge, Mark Wright, Stan Ternant" etc etc.

Yet, Carey is manager for the FA Cup game at Peterborough. Wrexham lose 4-1... our defensive gaffs are later laughed at by Lawrenson, Hanson and Lineker on Match of the Day, the Hope & Williams howler being the last scene of the closing credits, great...

The chairmen announce 'this week' in the press "We have not spoken to anybody about the vacancy, and have not received an application"... Carey is in the press as "manager" and saying things like "There's no point sulking, we must carry on". What a mess... and YESTERDAY, an announcment of Wrexham maybe closing a deal with Brian Little... Just how shambolic does the club sound?

Whatever happens, whoever they announce in the next 24 hours, all I ask for is mid-table anonymity - anything above 20th to be honest! I couldn't stand a survival Saturday again. And you know, it wouldn't surprise me if they deny 'again' any talks with anybody, and nobody is appointed.

On a finishing note to this whole debacle, I really hope Steve Evans sorts his act out, or the club help him overcome his demons. For the past 12 months he's been an alleged drunk, seen most nights round Wrexham, turning up for training drunk, dropped from the team on various occassions for alleged heavy Friday nights round Wrexham (spotted last Friday night in Wrexham, and surprise surprise isnt even on the team bus for the FA Cup tie last weekend). I've refused to believe a lot of the rumours surrounding Steve, but i'm reading far too often "Steve spotted pissed again in "... Come on Steve, you're a role model, national representative, and on his day the best no-nonsense DFA centre-back i've seen in a Wrexham shirt as a supporter.