Wales v Slovakia, 11th June, 5pm

[JJ1532]

Wales are the first of the home nations get underway in the Euros as they make their first tournament appearance in decades. With one of the best Welsh squads assembled in years, they have got to feel confident in these watered down Euros of getting out of the groups and maybe even making it to the last 8 of the tournament with a fair wind.

Bale is a match winner and he'll be the main guy Wales look to for inspiration. If he doesn't show up or gets injured though, I think their hopes and dreams go with him. Be interesting to see how their lack of experiences play in this game as they will be hoping for a good start against arguably the weakest team in the group. I'd imagine they'll be well backed anyway.

So yeah, Wales in a major tournament. Who'd have thought it eh?

All match discussion in here.

 

[Aberstone]

For all the talk of Wales being a one man team, it's often overlooked that they kept 7 clean sheets in qualifying. I don't know enough about Slovakia, but they don't have any household names other than Marek Hamsik. A win would be massive as it allows Wales to set up more defensively vs. England in Lens.

Edit: Certainly will be well backed, I know of at least dozen supporters who'll be proudly singing Land of My Fathers in Bordeaux.

 

[Art Morte]

It's got a draw written all over it.

 

[Benji]

And... Wales play at a tournament today. Unbelievable.

 

[Stevencc]

I expected Wales to win this one but with Bale deciding to spend most of his time talking about England in the media instead of training I'm feeling less sure about my prediction...

...you know?

 

[Jockney]

I expected Wales to win this one but with Bale deciding to spend most of his time talking about England in the media instead of training I'm feeling less sure about my prediction...

...you know?

Probably because the media is mostly English and keep asking him those questions.

 

[Stevencc]

Probably because the media is mostly English and keep asking him those questions.

He should reply in Welsh to flummox them.

 

[SALTIRE]

He should reply in Welsh to flummox them.

He'd end up bamboozling himself; he's not the sharpest tool in the box.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

I'm hoping Wales do the business. From a selfish point of view, a draw would be best but I hope all the British and Irish teams make it through the groups.

 

[Jockney]

Could the BBC not have done any better than Dean Saunders to represent Wales as a pundit?

Mark Hughes, John Toshack, Terry Yorath, Bryan Flynn... fuckin' Ryan Giggs-- FUCKIN' ANYONE.

 

[JJ1532]

Could the BBC not have done any better than Dean Saunders to represent Wales as a pundit?

Mark Hughes, John Toshack, Terry Yorath, Bryan Flynn... fuckin' Ryan Giggs-- FUCKIN' ANYONE.

To be fair, he is the 4th highest player for caps and goals for Wales. So he is a major figure in Welsh national football. I get your point though, he must have an outstanding agent.

Odd team selection by the Welsh no? 5-3-2, with Williams and Bale upfront? Is that their usual selection and formation?

Blow to lose Hennessey, but what a chance for Danny Ward. Made 2 appearances for the senior team, now starting in the Euros.

 

[cufc17]

Not sure which way this will go, might have to edge towards a 1-1 draw.

 

[Jockney]

To be fair, he is the 4th highest player for caps and goals for Wales. So he is a major figure in Welsh national football. I get your point though, he must have an outstanding agent.

Odd team selection by the Welsh no? 5-3-2, with Williams and Bale upfront? Is that their usual selection and formation?

Blow to lose Hennessey, but what a chance for Danny Ward. Made 2 appearances for the senior team, now starting in the Euros.

5-4-1, surely?

 

[JimJams]

Nope.

 

[JJ1532]

5-4-1, surely?

Dunno, beeb listed as 5-3-2 with Williams upfront alongside Bale.

 

[JimJams]

For all the talk of Wales being a one man team, it's often overlooked that they kept 7 clean sheets in qualifying. I don't know enough about Slovakia, but they don't have any household names other than Marek Hamsik. A win would be massive as it allows Wales to set up more defensively vs. England in Lens.

Edit: Certainly will be well backed, I know of at least dozen supporters who'll be proudly singing Land of My Fathers in Bordeaux.

Never heard of Martin "THE BEAST OF MERSEYSIDE" Skrtel then?

They've also got Vlad Weiss who you might have seen. You might not. WHO CAN TELL?

And Stoch? His has fallen a bit since leaving Chelsea.

 

[Aberstone]

Never heard of Martin "THE BEAST OF MERSEYSIDE" Skrtel then?

They've also got Vlad Weiss who you might have seen. You might not. WHO CAN TELL?

And Stoch? His has fallen a bit since leaving Chelsea.

I should have explicitly implied attacking players. Vladimir Weiss I vaguely remember from his Man City days, but as alluded to, they don't really have any household names (from an attacking sense) other than Marek Hamsik.

 

[JimJams]

Saunders loves an anecdote doesn't he?

 

[JimJams]

Shearer telling us what Coleman would have said. That's what the man brings to punditry. Genius.

 

[Stevencc]

Hopefully we will be treated to a Skrtel vs Allen scrap at some point.

I think Wales will do the business.

 

[JimJams]

Is Edwards in to man mark Hamsik out of the game?

 

[TractorBoys]

Jonny Williams to have an absolute barnstormer of a tournament further strengthening his case for regular PL football.

C'mon Wales. Optimistic for a 2-1.

 

[Stevencc]

Hell of a run, fantastic block!

 

[JimJams]

As good as a goal from Davies.

 

[JimJams]

So whats the story behind Ramseys shit hair?

 

[JimJams]

Good free kick, shite keeping.

 

[TractorBoys]

Getttt on. 1-0 Bale

 

[Stevencc]

Piss poor keeping there. Not the best idea to give Bale a free kick in that area either!

 

[Super_horns]

Well one chance and one goal (aided by poor goalkeeping)

Great clearance off the line earlier..

 

[JimJams]

I bet Gareth was just relieved he didn't have to fight for it with 'the ego' who'd have just hit it into the wall or the stands. Nice to get away from his club for a bit!