I’m 64 now and I can honestly say that Gareth Bale is the best Welsh footballer of my lifetime.
I say this because he has affected the game more than anyone else we have ever had. He has delivered on numerous occasions and has carried the country on numerous occasions.
In my eyes, he remains the biggest hope of Wales upsetting England, though he needs the players around him playing better. Like Aaron Ramsey, he has taken a lot of stick since Friday’s Iran game.
However, it is not their fault if the team cannot pass the ball under pressure. You cannot say they were the sole problem, as not many Wales players have played well.
People have written Gareth off but who stepped up for that penalty against USA? Yes, he drifts in and out of games but he can do things in a couple of seconds that no one else can do. That is why Rob Page, the Wales manager, will want him on the pitch for 90 minutes against England. You can’t afford to take him off because he can produce that moment of magic at any time.
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How Wales can still qualify for World Cup knockout stages in match against England29 November, 2022The whole team has to play 100 times better than against Iran. So far we’ve had two slow starts. In the first game Wales showed the determination to get out of trouble and claw it back. In the second game they just didn’t get going. Against England they have to start sharply, like they mean business, and they have to make it like their cup final. They have to go out and say, “This is it, this is the last throw of the dice for all of us here.”
They will need grit and determination. They have to show fighting spirit and try to dominate England. Crucially, they have to show they can pass under pressure.
So far, both the USA and Iran have put them under pressure and only against the Americans did they eventually get a grip of the game. Against Iran I’d have liked to see Joe Allen on a bit earlier because of his experience though I say that not knowing his fitness levels. I do think he should start against England.
Does it help that Wayne Hennessey is missing after his red card against Iran? Wayne was doing well but that’s a snapshot of the goalkeeper’s life – one moment of poor judgment spoils everything for you.
In fairness to Danny Ward, his replacement, he has done alright for Wales and has showed patience and a good attitude. He did not have a good start to the season for Leicester but has got some form back and is a good shot-stopper and communicator.
Possible Wales line-ups vs England
- Ward; Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies; Roberts, Ramsey, Ampadu, Wilson, N. Williams; Bale, Moore (3-5-2)
- Ward; Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies; Ramsey, Ampadu, Allen; Bale, Moore, Johnson (4-3-3)
Wales are capable of making life hard for England because they have done it before but Rob Page has to make sure the energy levels are sustained throughout the game by putting fresh players on. There are other questions – does he start with Kieffer Moore against Harry Maguire or try to play through them with a smaller, mobile striker up against Maguire? Dan James has pace and skill but his end product is not there at times so I would go with Kieffer as you need a focal point.
If I could make one suggestion to Page it would be to put every cross and set-piece right on top of Jordan Pickford. I would make him make decisions, especially at corners. If Pickford has one weakness, it is when bodies are around him in the box so I would put one man in front of him and one behind him and sling it straight under the crossbar, with Moore standing over him. Get it under the crossbar and make it uncomfortable for him. I always wish him well for Everton but let’s hope he throws one in for England.
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