[Fm14] Wales: The Golden Generation?

Having won only two games in 2014, journalists were quick to ask if Tom Conwy’s commitment is still to the Welsh cause. Conwy was quick to rubbish such remarks and pointed to the fact the Wales only lost a single competitive fixture, the 0-1 loss to Belgium, which leaves them with a healthy group standing.

“It’s been a tricky year but we have started brightly in the European Championship qualifiers and I’m convinced we’ll have it in us to get through this group. Bear in mind we’ve played some quality teams this year few will have expected us to win against, although I admit we should have fared better against Costa Rica and the USA and the display against Ecuador was dreadful.”

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He went on to add, “My devotion to my national team is not, nor ever will be, in doubt. I can assure you that qualifying from this group is my only priority and as much as friendlies count in our FIFA rankings, I use them to experiment for competitive fixtures.”

Wales’ ranking has slipped from a healthy 30th position at their peak to 57th, the same position the team were in when Chris Coleman was sacked.

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Fans have picked their best Welsh eleven of 2014. Despite Tom Conwy’s continued selection of Karl Darlow, fans have chosen Wayne Hennessey as their number one keeper and James Chester to partner Ashley Williams in central defence. Chester has only made 2 appearances for Wales in his career, but due to injuries, faced little competition in the fans reckoning.

Andy King pipped Joe Ledley, Jack Collison and Jon Williams to a centre midfield spot and despite his lack of goals, Sam Vokes retained his position up front.

Ashley Williams, Ben Davies and Joe Allen featured in every game for Wales this year, highlighting their importance to the Welsh team.

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Conwy challenges Vokes to prove himself

Having not scored for Wales in calendar year, Tom Conwy has impressed upon Reading striker Sam Vokes, that a consistent goal return for both club and country is imperative if he wishes to remain as Wales’ first choice striker.

Despite Vokes lack of goals and game time, Tom Conwy is hardly faced with much choice in the striker department, with Simon Church and Craig Davies also struggling to find goals. Crawley’s Robert Earnshaw is the only regular starter of the quintet at club level, but playing in League One, as well as the strikers advancing years may play a part in Conwy’s selection for later squads.

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Tom Conwy has announced his squad for his team bonding tour to the Middle East where Wales will face Qatar and Egypt.

James Collins returns to the Wales squad following a succession of niggling injuries, while Ash Taylor, who scored an own goal on his debut against Ecuador has been given the chance to make amends for his mistake. Bolton winger Lloyd Isgrove replaces Sanchez Watt in the squad after a number of convincing displays for the Trotters. Marley Watkins also retains his place after his debut against Ecuador while Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson could potentially make his debut, the only uncapped player in Conwy’s squad.

Sam Vokes is dropped after his lack of appearances for Reading. Both Robert Earnshaw and Jake Cassidy will hope to take full advantage of that as they are both recalled.

Should be nice to see Wilson make his debut hopefully

During an interview with Sky Sports, Tom Conwy was asked if he was under any pressures from club managers for taking their players abroad during the international break. With Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid all still involved in European competition and a number of clubs at make or break positions in their respective leagues, Tom Conwy has come under criticism from a number of club managers.

“It’s true that a number of managers have been ringing me asking how I plan to use their boys while they are away with us. I can understand their concern, especially at this point of the season and the heat that we will be up against in Qatar and Egypt.” Conwy continued, matter-of-factly. “But this is international football. All the boys want to be here and spirits couldn’t be higher; everyone’s raring to go. If I need them to play 90 minutes, then they’ll do it.”

“A few managers have asked me if I can ensure that some players only play a limited number of minutes and if that is possible, and the players agree, then I will try and accommodate them.”

When asked about Gareth Bale’s availability in the friendly matches, Conwy said, “Ancelotti and Madrid have always been quality when it’s come to Gareth’s selection. He’s a top asset for them but they’ve never once tried to restrict him from playing which is often a worry for these marquee players. All I can say is that they are a class act, and I’d be happy to deal with more managers like Carlo, we have a great relationship when it comes to Gareth.”

It is understood that Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter, Ash Taylor, Neal Eardley and Wayne Hennessey have all been told by their managers to play a limited number of minutes for Wales.

Thanks Feliks! He's definitely the best talent I have in the U21's so hoping he can turn into Gareth Bale mk.II!

Wales eased to victory over Qatar on a temperate evening in Doha, scoring a number of goals in the process. Gareth Bale opened the scoring within 5 minutes, nodding in Lloyd Isgrove’s cross. James Collins doubled Wales’ lead with, finding himself in acres of space at the back post, this time heading in from a free-kick from debuting Liverpool youngster, Harry Wilson.

Qatar equalised following some questionable defence from Wales as they struggled to clear a corner. However, their momentum was short lived. Jon Williams finished confidently after a bizarre attempt at an offside trap, with Isgrove once again assisting with a free-kick.

With Qatar pushing forward, Joe Allen strolled into the Qatari area to easily finish as Marley Watkins delivered a fantastic cross. Watkins then finished the rout with Ramsey’s pass slicing open the Qatari defence.

Despite the comfortable score line, Qatar threatened the Welsh goal a number of times. James Collins picked up a Man of the Match award for his staunch defensive display, in his first game back for Wales in almost a year.

The gloss of the Welsh victory was slightly tarnished by a potentially bad injury to Lloyd Isgrove, who will be out for the remainder of the season.

Hennessey (fon-Williams ’45 )
Gunter (Eardley ’45 )
Collins
A. Williams © (A. Taylor ’45 )
Davies
Ledley (Ramsey ’45 )
J. Williams
Allen
Isgrove (Watkins ’62 )
Wilson
Bale (Earnshaw ’45 )



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Great victory! Bale was class once more and his prodegy Wilson wasn't shabby either

Wales put on another attacking display in a routine demolition of Egypt in a surprisingly one-sided encounter.

Veteran striker Robert Earnshaw opened the scoring, rolling back the years to smash home a powerful shot after breaking free from the Egyptian defence. Earnshaw, who now plays for Crawley Town in League Two, is the only player in history to score goals in the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, The FA Cup and League Cup.

Yeovil defender Ash Taylor, seeking to improve his fortunes for the national team, having scored an own goal on his debut, took advantage of sloppy defensive work by Egypt and was twice allowed to lose his marker, heading in two goals at the near post.

Hal Robson-Kanu completed the scoring just before half time. The second half saw Egypt press, looking to gain a consolidation goal or two, but the Welsh defence was sturdy and Ash Taylor produced a number of tackles to earn a Man of the Match award.

Darlow
Eardley (Gunter ’45 )
A. Williams ©
A. Taylor
Davies
Ledley
Ramsey (J. Williams ’45 )
Allen (King ’68 )
Robson-Kanu (Watkins ’45 )
Bale (Wilson 68’ )
Earnshaw (Cassidy ’68 )



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Good couple of results there mate, those results were needed after the last 3!!
Good luck!

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The Welsh players, management and FA were all delighted with the team’s performance while on tour in the Middle East.

Speaking to journalist, an FAW official said, “The team were fantastic out in Qatar and Egypt, every expectation from the tour has been exceeded, including the commercial aspects of it!”

Over 40,000 people turned out over the two games and a number of replica shirts were sold. Gareth Bale merchandise was also highly sought by Arab supporters. As well as the matches, Wales players and officials also had several photo opportunities at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Petra in Jordan, a day trip to Oman and a tour of the Pyramids of Giza.

Tom Conwy later said, “Everyone’s happy with how we played out there and I’ve been really impressed with all the lad’s performances. It’s given me a lot to think about with the upcoming European Championship games but the main aim of the tour has been achieved. All the boys are happy and enjoying playing with each other.”

A number of Welsh players took to social media to praise Tom Conwy’s leadership and the dressing room atmosphere.

Ben Davies put it across better than anyone, tweeting:






Wales boss Tom Conwy has come under criticism from Yeovil boss Gary Johnson for his use of Ash Taylor during the international break.

Johnson was speaking to the BBC ahead of his side’s game with Watford. “Yeah, I’m pretty unhappy with Conwy to be perfectly honest. I gave him pretty explicit instructions to only use Ash for 45 minutes and he’s gone out there in Egypt and played him for a full game and 45 minutes in Qatar. We’re lucky he’s not come back completely knackered.”

Tom Conwy was unconcerned when responding to journalists outside the FAW headquarters in Cardiff, seemingly laughing off Johnson’s concerns. “Come on, he can’t be serious, can he? The lad's had a stormer over there, I thought he’d be happy to see one of his player’s having a great game.”

Conwy continued, “Look, I asked Ash if he wanted to come off at halftime but he said no. The lad was on for a hat-trick and wanted to keep playing. He’s really impressed me while we’ve been out there. I don’t really care what Gary Johnson thinks if I’m perfectly honest. Ash Taylor is one of my player’s too and he’s definitely in my thoughts with the games against Bosnia and Luxembourg coming up.”

TonkaWolves115 - thanks mate, with a few European Championship games against Bosnia and Luxembourg, I needed to get a bit of match time in before those crunch matches!

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Wales U19 manager Ian Rush has left his role with the FAW to take charge of the Oman national team. Having met with officials of the Omani FA during Wales’ tour of the Middle East, Rush was impressed with the team's facilities and ambitions laid out.

During a press conference held at his appointment, Rush said, “Football is continuing to thrive here in the Arab world. With more and more internationals moving to Europe to continue their development and of course the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, there is a huge interest in international football and I will look to get the best of the boys at my disposal.”

Tom Conwy said, “I wish Ian Rush all the best for the future and hope to come up against him in international competition in the future. He is a top manager and I’m sure he will thrive in Oman.”

Wales have appointed former Fulham, Crystal Palace and Reading player, Jeff Hopkins as their new U19 on a short-term basis. His most recent managerial roles have been in Australia.

Rush will be reportedly paid around £11,000 per week, almost double that of Welsh manager Tom Conwy.

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Wales manager Tom Conwy has called his match with Bosnia & Herzegovina the team’s biggest in recent years. Wales are currently third Group E, behind the Bosnians on goal difference and Belgium, having gained 6 points from their opening 3 games. Wales will also play Luxembourg after the game against Bosnia.

Tom Conwy said, “I consider this by far, my biggest match as Wales manager. If we can nick a point in Sarajevo, then the onus is on them when they play us in Wales later next year. I think Belgium will probably have this group sewn up, so the race is on for second. No disrespect to Luxembourg and Iceland but we have to believe that it’s us or Bosnia.”

“A positive result here and there’s no reason we can’t finish second, I don’t want to be involved in any play-off nonsense. There’s a job that needs doing here and with the players we’ve got, there’s no reason we can’t achieve that.”

Speaking of the game with Luxembourg, “We’re not taking our eye off that one either. We’re on their turf and they’ll have a point to prove. We don’t want any slip ups so we’ll be guard against complacency there.”