Switzerland v Wales News 10th October 2010

Goalkeepers: Jonathan Bond (Watford), David Cornell (Swansea City), Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Boaz Myhill (West Bromwich Albion)
Defenders: Danny Collins (Stoke City), James Collins (Aston Villa), Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City), Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Darcy Blake (Cardiff City), Rhoys Wiggins (AFC Bournemouth)
Midfielders: Joe Allen (Swansea City), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Dave Edwards (Wolves), Andy King (Leicester), Shaun MacDonald (Yeovil Town, on loam from Swansea City), Jazz Richards (Swansea City), David Vaughan (Blackpool)
Forwards: Simon Church (Reading), Ryan Doble (Southampton), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Steve Morison (Millwall)

Those of you who did more than glance briefly at the squad list might have noticed that there are a few players missing. And a few players added. It doesn’t look good but at the same time, it’s great to see all the new players coming into the Wales squad. Let’s hope they have a good experience, whatever the result. (Now if only the fans can have a good experience too.)

If Wales only get a point, qualification will look even more impossible. But at least they’ll be better than Spain. (We Welsh fans have to take enjoyment where we can find it.)

Joe Ledley has withdrawn from the squad as his partner Ruby is expecting their first child on Tuesday. And I can’t really argue with that but in a way it’s a shame fans weren’t made aware of it before. Maybe not all fans are like me but I prefer to have a bit of notice. Maybe not the full nine months Joe would have had but last week would have been good. But anyway, this only gives us more reason to win. Joe’s baby will be born in Scotland and will be eligible to represent that country if he wants to. It’s up to Wales to do all they can to ensure he doesn’t want to.

Chris Gunter and Sam Ricketts are both suspended, following Chris’ red card and Sam’s second yellow. Darcy Blake is expected to make a deserved Wales debut – Christian Ribeiro and Adam Matthews are also options for the right back position.

Wales wouldn’t be Wales without more injuries. Hal Robson-Kanu was only on the field for five minutes (or rather eight minutes plus stoppage time) but it was still long enough to injure his hamstring.

Brian Flynn has called up a few extra players to replace the injured, suspended and expecting. Left back Rhoys Wiggins of Bournemouth, who has had a great start to the season, was saying only last month that he would love to get into the Wales squad. Well, Rhoys – here you are. He will be joined in the squad by two Swansea Cuty players: Shaun MacDonald, captain of the Wales under-21s, currently on loan at Yeovil Town, and Jazz Richards, also an under-21 international.

Ashley Williams hopes Wales will bounce back from their defeat to Bulgaria. Sam Ricketts believes they can do it. David Vaughan feels their qualification hopes could already be over.

Robbie Savage's desperation to play for Wales has reached new heights. Whilst interviewing Brian Flynn, Robbie heard the team would need new full backs and he immediately jumped in to offer his services. I think it's great to see him showing such enthusiasm for his country and I wouldn't say that all the other midfielders who have been called up to play for Wales have done better than Robbie this season.
I suppose it's possible that Brian wants to go with the players he's seen recently - all the midfielders involved have been part of either the senior or under-21 teams in the past few months. As Brian was only recently appointed manager of the Welsh national team and was formerly in charge of players eligible for the under-21 team, he would have had no reason to watch Robbie (although he'd have missed a treat if he had. Even when Robbie plays badly, which doesn't happen often, his hair still looks amazing).
Danny Collins and Rhoys Wiggins are the only members of the squad who haven't played for Wales recently and they have had more recent experience of playing full-back then Robbie. If it was in goal where they had the problem, I'm sure Brian would have been straight on the phone.


Ashley Williams will be the next player to end his international career with Wales. But don’t worry. It’s not that one. It’s the Airbus UK one who will soon be too old to play for the Wales under-23 semi-professional side. He's not as old as Michael Pearson though. (Michael was really born in 1988.)