I reckon we need at the very least two wins and two draws from our final four games, anything less and we're looking at a play-off at best so we have to win at least one of these matches. Slovakia away is behind closed doors, which is a massive shame for those that have booked to go there. Croatia is at the CCS, and there should be a good atmosphere there which might help us. Supposedly a few doubts, including Ramsey and Tom Lawrence. Lawrence shouldn't be there at all given the circumstances, and I'd have liked to have seen Brennan Johnson in the squad as well. Chris Mepham's been ruled us with injury, which is a shame as I'd have had him starting but Ashley Williams is now playing regularly for Bristol City which helps us. Ward Roberts - A. Williams (C) - Rodon - Davies Ramsey - Allen Wilson - Bale - D. James Roberts I think the latest set of international fixtures has shown that as well as Rodon being a nailed on started, Ben Davies is definitely our best options at left back and Danny Ward should be our keeper. We've got an out and out striker now in Tyler Roberts, so we need to make the most of him, and I'd be looking to use the pace we've got to counter even if we're not able to keep hold of the ball like we'd want to. Rabbi Matondo is the key for me off the bench, he's just scored his first Bundesliga goal for Schalke (and got in Bundesliga Team of the Week) and is almost as quick as Dan James. I think he's ready to make a real impact now for us.
Ryan Giggs latest showing of idiocy in a press conference: "His return is looking around November, now whether that's back playing or back actually training I'm not too sure." Do you want to try asking them then Ryan? It's information we could with given that we've got two crucial games in November, but I guess there's plenty of more important calls he could be making for one of his more important jobs or businesses.
Ramsey out of the game, and a doubt for the Croatia match, which is gutting as it's a big loss. He's not played since the Albania friendly about a year ago, and I think has been overplayed by Sarri since he's returned from his last injury. In terms of replacements for him Matt Smith's not really playing for QPR, Ethan Ampadu's played even less for Leipzig and Joe Morrell isn't playing at the highest standard at Lincoln so it's a bit of a headache. Whoever fills in there needs to step up as that's the weakest position for us at the moment.
Insipid performance. Our midfield and defence look on the ropes constantly, 30% possession against 10 men is ****ing embarrassing.
Well they only had ten men for a couple of minutes, but it's the sort of game we should be looking to control far more. Even in the home game, we allowed Slovakia to control the game and they dominated possession. Once again I haven't seen from the manager any real way of playing, or tactic of how we're going to get goals, it seems to be very much hoping for Dan James or Gareth Bale to come up with some magic. Were gifting teams chances with the way were set up, we aren't trying to stop crosses which means our defenders are having to constantly answer questions. They largely did that, but we do look weak in central midfield and the lack of minutes Ampadu's been getting and Ramsey's fitness certainly doesn't help that.
I'd bring Lee Evans back into the fold, he's by far our most experienced midfielder who isn't currently in the set-up, at a useful age and playing regular football at a decent level. Ampadu, Smith & Morrell (if really needs be) should be introduced as subs after an hour or so to help us see games out.
Brozovic is out for Croatia, but unfortunately they've got Kovacic to go in alongside Modric and Rakitic. If Ramsey isn't fit, we're going to struggle massively against that midfield tomorrow.
Well another draw .. Really need to win the last 2 games I guess to stand a chance. Might help if Ramsey is fit .
Tonight's not the issue really, it's been the other games. If we beat Azerbaijan away and Hungary at home we're very likely to qualify, which shows the extent to which we should have qualified from this group if we'd have been able to put in a few more acceptable performances. I still think we should be able to still do that, Ramsey should be fit and there's a chance David Brooks could be as well which would be a massive bonus too. If you can't beat teams like Azerbaijan and Hungary to qualify, then you shouldn't really be in the Euros anyway, and whilst I don't expect us to show too much tactically, there's always that chance of one of our attacking threats bailing us out. Anything less than two wins, and it'll be the play-offs, where in all likelihood we'll be playing stronger sides than Hungary. From a Swans perspective as well, great to see all the products of our academy playing the full ninety and all being key players for us - Ben Davies, Joe Allen, Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon and Dan James. We've contributed a lot to the side over recent years, and hopefully our academy continues under our owners for the benefit of Welsh football as well as just ourselves.
Got to be pleased with a point against the World Cup finalist, but are now relying on others to drop points....Keiffer Moores a bit of a handful isnt he !
