Wales v Luxembourg squad announced!

Goalkeepers: Jason Brown, Wayne Hennessey, Boaz Myhill
Defenders: Gareth Bale, Darcy Blake, Neal Eardley, Chris Gunter, Craig Morgan, Sam Ricketts, Ashley Williams
Midfielders: Andrew Crofts, Simon Davies, David Edwards, Andy King, Joe Ledley, Brian Stock, David Vaughan
Forwards: Craig Bellamy, Simon Church, Robert Earnshaw, Ched Evans, Steve Morison, Sam Vokes

I’m getting really excited now! I had kind of guessed most of the squad but in a way it makes it more official when the squad’s announced.

I'm intrigued that John Toshack has picked six strikers, he usually picks four at the moment though he did pick five against Scotland. He dhas gone through stages where he's only picked three strikers. I was a bit worried Tosh was going to revert to playing with one up front but six strikers suggests an attacking line-up (though he might be planning on putting Craig Bellamy on the left wing if he shows up, he scores goals from there for Manchester City and Wales need a few goals here and there).

I’m happy for every single Wales player that got in and I can’t wait to see them all but there are a few players I’m especially happy for.

Jason Brown because he was great for Blackburn Rovers when Paul Robinson was injured and he’s also had a solid pre-season as far as I can see. He was left out of the last couple of Walessquads which was a shame as he has done really well. I’m also very happy that we have three Premier League goalkeepers in our squad – I wonder if it’ll be the same for England.

Darcy Blake because he had a bit of a difficult time with football but he’s fought back, overcome all his problems, survived a loan at Plymouth Argyle and become an important part of Cardiff City’s team.

Steve Morison for getting his first call-up to the Wales squad. It’s great for Wales and also great for him. He’s also a tall striker (6 ft 2) who plays regularly for his club and scores lots of goals and we don’t have another striker like that. They’re either small or only semi-regulars for their club and it’s hard for them to get a scoring run going when they don’t play regularly.

There were a few surprise omissions. I’m not going to say who should be dropped from the squad because that’s mean and they all deserve to be there and I’m not sure which one I’d choose anyway.

Aaron Ramsey, James Collins, Jack Collison, Lewin Nyatanga and Joe Allen are all absent due to injury while Danny Gabbidon is still building up his fitness after yet more injury troubles. I wasn’t really expecting John Toshack to pick Danny Collins again even though I think he should. I would have considered John Oster (though I don’t think Tosh would) but he’s injured too.

Gareth Roberts probably isn’t going to be challenging Gareth Bale for the left back spot anytime soon but he is still an excellent left back and would arguably be better cover than one of the right backs. Besides, Gareth B has been scaring the life out of me by going down injured and needing extensive treatment in pretty much every pre-season game he’s played so I think a spare Gareth left back would be a very good idea.

David Cotterill has done very well for Swansea City since signing from Sheffield United, first on loan and then permanently. He doesn’t seem to be injured, he’s great at set pieces and while there are some other great midfielders in the team, I would have picked David. But I think maybe he has withdrawn from the last few squads he was in so maybe Tosh is in a mood with him.

Andy Dorman isn’t the best midfielder Wales have but I love the way he shows his commitment and love for Wales. I’m sure he’ll be sad not to be picked and I’m sad for him.