Chopra back tonight?

Cardiff City's list of missing big hitters may finally see a reduction as the players start to return to fitness and full training.

Alhtough rumours have been about the return of Seyi Olinfinjana for some time, he may miss out again this evening and return for the visit to Barnsley on Saturday. Oli has been out since a foot injury sustained in the Hull home win on September 11th.

However there is speculation that Michael Chopra may be on the bench for tonight's hom,e clash with Crystal Palace. Chops was the victim of an unpunished appalling challenge in the home demolition of Doncaster on August 21st. At the time, he was reported as likely to be out for 2 to 3 months but he has responded very well to treatment and is back in full training. If not in the squad tonight, Chops is almost certain to be in the Barnsley squad on Saturday.

Of the others, Craig Bellamy is unlikelyto be risked in this week's games as he is still not back in full, impact training although there is a small chance he could feature at Barnsley. If he misses out altogether, that may rule him out for Wales Euro'2012 double header with Switzerland and Bulgaria next week. City fans - and management - would be concerned to see him in those games having not played for City since August 28 and having played no football this month other than Wales defeat in Montenegro at the startb of the month, a game which appears to have accelerated his problems. Cardiff have a heavy October fixture list and will need Bellamy for that so 2 Wales games in 5 days before it is a real worry given his problems.

The other key players - Chris Riggott and Danny Drinkwater - remain on schedule to be considered for Cardiff's first game after the international break which is Bristol City at CCS on October 16th.

Thankfully, City have no new problems after the weekend win over MillwaIl and will be strong favourites to complete a South London double with tonight's visit from Crystal Palace.

If Cardiff think they have problems, they can think again. Palace will have 8 key players absent and have lost all 4 away trips this season failing to score and conceding 12. Home banker then ... it had better be!

Little and Large Cymru Style
The old boss meets the new boss

As every Welsh fan speculated whether they preferred someone else or not, Brain Flynn was appointed this morning as Wales' caretaker manager for the next two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland in October. If successful, there is little doubt that a permanent offer would be made.

Flynn, now 54, has had a highly successful spell as Wales Under 21 manager, most of the current squad having worked with him at that level which should make an easy transistion. His Under 21 coaches Alan Curtis and David Williams are also stepping up which presumably means Dean Saunders and Roy Evans will leave the set up.

The new boss is understandably buoyant, "Naturally, as a very proud Welshman, this is a job that I have always wanted to do, I realise that initially it is only for two games, but I shall give it my all to try and achieve results and stake a claim for the job on a permanent basis. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with John Toshack in the Wales setup and feel that we have made great strides to establishing a side for the future.”

Wales Euro'2012 Task Made Tougher

While Wales had the night off last night, four group opponents were in action with the winning sides from last Friday night (England and the surprise package of Montenegro) managing to win again and putting daylight between themselves and the rest.

The results were
Bulgaria 0 Montenegro 1
Switzerland 1 England 3


England, as suspected, look likely to run away with the group leaving the rest to fight it out for a runner-up spot. If Wales had a bad start, Bulgaria's now looks a complete disaster and they are Wales' next opponents in Cardiff next month. Montenegro are appear to be in pole position but, without doubt, there's a lot of fotball yet to be played. The question is, are Wales able to get back into contention.


Current Group G Table

Posn	Teams	Pld	Pts
1	England	2	6
2	Montenegro	2	6
3	Wales	1	0
4	Switzerland	1	0
5	Bulgaria	2	0

Tosh Off, manager set to quit Wales (but he may have a farewell first???)

It is being reported that John Toshack is to resign as Wales manager in the aftermath of last Friday's spirit sapping 1-0 Euro'2012 opener defeat in Montenegro in which every player in the red shirt, with a possible exception or two only, produced performances way below their club form and reasonable expectations.


Tosh was demoralised after the game cutting a lonely figure and is believed to have informed colleages and the FAW of his intention to quit and also recommending Manchester United's Ryan Giggs as his successor. He is expected to formalise his resignation during this week.

Under Toshack, Wales have been mediocre during his 6 year tenure and have lost 6 of their last 9 internationals. The occasional friendly success and strong result (such as a World Cup draw in Germany) is undermined by the realisation that the only nations Wales have beaten in competitive matches are the equally poor, or even worse, outfits of Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Northern Ireland, San Marino and Slovakia.

However, one of the curious aspects, is that reports suggest that he may yet stay on for another two games, the double header at home to Bulgaria and away in Switzerland late next month.

Cards on table, I thought John Toshack would do a good job for Wales but it's been anything but. He found out, to the nation's cost, that his old school ways no longer work in the modern game.

Aloof from the fans, infuriatingly old-fashioned (the only manager without a mobile phone?), lacking respect from his players (with, it seems, all bar one of his senior men 'retiring' during his regime) and in terms of competitive results, taking us backwards. In my entire lifetime,

I had some hope last Friday that new campaign and emerging youth would finally show some progress but, insteasd, it had all the hallmarks of Wales going absolutely nowhere.

Wales have never been successful and only shown rare glimpses but, even so, I have never known such apathy towards our national side. The pride and the passion doesn't show itself in the squad or with the manager (not doubting it must be there mind) but that has transferred itself to the public.

Thanks to Tosh for finally realising he will not be able to bring about improvement but if he is resigning, thewn let'sd put him out of his misery. I don't want him around for next month's games so we have more of the same. We must have a different mentality and approach and at least try and make a fist of this campaign. If Tosh stays on, there will be nothing for the new guy to work with and we're reduced to, effectively, another 2 years of friendlies.

The FAW need to pull out all the stops to get a replacement on board now. If Brian Flynn isn't a serious candidate and we can't get someone permanent in time, then I'd still be tempted to manage the next two games as he knows the players having brought them through.

Just no more Toshack please!

Wales Euro'2012 Fixture Dates Announced

The fixtures were agreed today for Wales’ Euro’2012 campaign which is now confirming as starting in Montenegro this September and finishing in Bulgaria in October 2011.

For the first time, qualifiers can be played on a Friday night and John Toshack’s men have decided to play 3 of their 4 home games that evening. The exception is the ‘glamour’ game with England that takes place on March 26^th next year. The away game at Wembley is on a Tuesday night in September 2011. Wales appear to have delayed those games until Aaron Ramsey returns from his horror injury.

Fans can start planning their away trips (I fancy Switzerland and maybe the first game in Montenegro) but will also be wondering where the home games will be held. Cardiff City Stadium is strongly linked to be hosting the games but can they resist the riches of playing England at Millennium Stadium? Time will tell.

Friday, 3 September 2010 Montenegro vs Wales

Friday, 8 October 2010 Wales vs Bulgaria

Tuesday, 12 October 2010 Switzerland vs Wales

Saturday, 26 March 2011 Wales vs England

Friday, 2 September 2011 Wales vs Montenegro

Tuesday, 6 September 2011 England vs Wales

Friday, 7 October 2011 Wales vs Switzerland

Tuesday, 11 October 2011 Bulgaria vs Wales

It's WALES v England in EURO 2012

The draw for Euro 2012 has just been made and Wales were drawn in a lesser 5 team Group G along with Montnegro, Bulgaria, Switzerland and England.

As they were in the 4th seed spot, it's not easy but, all things considered, probably as reasonable as they could have hoped for. England will be tough, of course, and should win the group but the other nations do not hold any great fears and Wales must quietly fancy their chances of making a strong impression.

The finals will be jointly held in exotic Poland and Ukraine.

EURO'2008 GAMES 23 & 24: GROUP D - SPAIN 2 RUSSIA 1, RUSSIA 2 SWEDEN 0

People get ready, The Russians are coming! A sensational Swede-bashing performance sent the previous faltering Russians into the quarter-finals to play Holland with absolutely nothing to fear. The Swedes, meanwhile, becmae the third team to win their opening game yet still be knocked out after game 3.

The Russian attacking display was refreshing and compulsive viewing. The shot count probably around 30 to 5 in their favour with every player pouring forward, even at 2-0, and a telling factor was that both goals were assisted by both full-backs making the final pass after lung-bursting runs to get deep inside the penalty box.

The key difference was Arshavin, who ran Rangers ragged for Zenit St Petersburg in their recent winning UEFA Cup winning display, ruled this encounter from start to finish but the whole team display was so powerful and consuming, making Sweden - who only needed a draw to go through and knock Russia out - looked a one paced clueless outfit.

Goals came in each half through Pavlyuchenko and that man Arshavin with sweeping moves, both started by Arhsavin. They also hit the post twice, produced numerous saves from Isaksson, went close several more times whilst battering the Swedish defence and midfield and peppering shots on goal at every opportunity.

The Swedes were mauled and lucky to get away with 2-0 although that represented their biggest ever defeat in a Euros final. Larrsson and Ibrahimovich never linked up front although the former hit the bar with a clever header and a 2nd half shot hit the post but, truth is, they only had 1 decent 5 minute spell all night which came at the end of the first period. However one first half shot in the Innsbruck venue probably ended up in Switzerland which did link the co-hosts.

Dare I suggest it now puts Wales' World Cup qualifying group and hopes into sharp perspective?

Our kids are developing fast, we look more competitive and have picked up some good results, albeit in friendlies. It also encouraged that Germany and Russia have looked decidely dodgy in their early games which I liked too. But now reality dawns, we're facing two Euro quarter-finallists. I bet our will be the only group that will be able to 'boast' that. While they may not be the best German side ever, they're still quality and so organised. Russia, meanwhile, look a terrifying prospect in this mood. It'll be one hell of a job to be anywhere near them.

In the other fixture, Spain were already through and had won the group played defending Champions Greece who were already out and would finish bottom. The Spaniards made 10 changes yet still won 2-1. The Greeks opened the scoring with a terrific powered header by Christeas, the man who scored the Euro'2004 winner.

However the Spanish were the superior side throughout with Liverpool's Alonso so close three times with a shot from the halfway line that missed by inches and sent the Greek keeper clattering into his own post, a 25 yard free-kick that almost whistled past the post and a 30 yard screamer that hit the inside of a post and rolled across goal but victory came with goals by the spendidly named De la Red's shot just past the hour and Guiza's guided header with two minutes left.

Greece, 2004 Winners, were therefore sent packing as the only team in the tournament to lose all three games while Spain equalled their international best record of 9 successive wins. When they last achieved it, they played Italy who stopped that sequence continuing and, yes, their quarter-final opponents just happen to be Italy!


Video highlights of these games and every Euro'2008 match plus stats and other info can all be found on this excellent BBC page
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/schedule_and_statistics/default.stm

EURO'2008 GAMES 17 & 18: GROUP A TURKEY 3 CZECH REPUBLIC 2, PORTUGAL 0 SWITZERLAND 2

The final games in each group are played simultaneously so with Portugal already through and Switzerland already out, their clash was relegated to ITV4.

Unsurprisingly in that encounter, Portugal rested 8 players but still looked the likelier to win until Swiss hero Hakin Yakin entered the scene with a double, one smart finish and a late penalty, to send the co-hosts home happy. The main entertainment on ITV1 however was more dramatic than any Sunday Night film and with a script that would have been rejkected as too far fetched.

The Czech Republic and Turkey knew it was a winner take all clash with victors in the quarter-finals and losers heading home. With identical records, a draw at 90 mionutes would have meant a unique penalty shoot-out to separate the sides.

The Czechs looked the better side for long periods, The Turks played a negative game suggesting they were happy to take the draw and the lottery until Lurch aka Jan Koller nutted home a trademark header from a cross in the first period. Turkey woke up after the interval but looked vulnerable on the counter-attack and were duly caught out with 25 minutes remaining as The Czechs doubled their lead through Plasil, Turkey furious as they were down to 10 men through an injury and unable to bring a sub on.

That should have been it but a turning point came when the Czechs hit a post to be denied a 3-0 lead and Turkey grabbed a lifeline through Turan with 15 to go.

Czech Republic seemed to be coping with few problems dealing with any late Turkey onslaught but then came the real drama. Peter Cech, who has looked dodgy throughout the finals, made perhaps the biggest gaffe of his career in dropping a routine corss onto the feet of grateful Turkish skipper Nihat to equalise with just 3 minutes left and a penalty shoot out looked odds on.

But more incredible late drama as Turkey swept forward, a Czech defender was too slow out and Nihat was played in onside to finish brilliantly in the final minute, his cross shot form the edge of the box crashing in off the bar.

Four minutes added time and even more amazing scenes as Turkey keeper Demirel was beaten to a late ball, a header just going wide but he pushed Koller in the chest and got red carded. With all subs used, Middlesbrough's Tuncay had to play the final 2 minutes but the ball was kept away from his goal. What an incredible turnaround.

Turkey, minus a couple of suspended players, have to face Croatia in the quarter-finals. The Czech Republic will probably spend the rest of june trying to figure out how it wasn't them instead but they only have themselves to blame for that.

EURO'2008 GAME 10: GROUP A - SWITZERLAND 1 TURKEY 2

That's not yodelling you cow bells you can hear in the Swiss Alps tonight, it's howls of despair as one of the co-hosts are out just 5 days and 2 games into the Finals in a game both sides needed to win but Turkey deserved to scrape home in dramatic style with an injury time winner.

This was one of the best contests so far but possibly watched by the lowest UK audience as Beeb pushed in onto BBC2 so the rest of the nation could watch the Final of The Apprentice.

For the first 20 minutes, even those more interested in the final were probably preparing to switch channels as it was tepid but then the fun and frolics started as someone decided to mix football with Jeux Sans Frontieres and introduce water. The most amazing monsoon style run lashed down for 20 minutes leaving puddles all over the palce, defenders sliding in, the ball stopping dead with nobody able to run with it and general hilarity - if only we had Stuart Hall to commentate!

It was getting close to the stage where it was getting dangerous and unplayable, it possibly had reached that, when the Swiss scored as the pitch suited their direct style. A long ball sent wide by Sendero, it stopped in a puddle to hold up nicely for the winger, he came in and sent a ball across the face of goal which saw Turks trying to run oun when players were yards offside and then, brilliant comedy. as the ball stopped still in a puddle in front of goal for Hakan to tap in from 3 feet and even then he scuffed it.

The Swiss should have made it two as Hakan missed a sitter in similar style but this time, the cross missed the puddle and zipped off the surface and arrived to quick so he put it wide of the gaping goal. The Turks were trying to play a passing game while the Swiss, attacking the shllow end!, found conditions perfect. The Turks did hit the post via their impressive striker, Arda, who needed to try, well, Arda!

Then the rain stopped, half-time must have saw a few frogmen, the local swimming group and some immense work taking place as the sides returned wih the pitch much improved and suddenly Turkey were able to pass.

They equalised on 58 minutes, simple header which the keeper perhaps should have saved and then it ebbed and flowed. The Swiss almost nicked it 5 minutes from time but then The Turks senstaionally knocked them out after playing left all 2nd half, then finally broke right, Arda ran 35 yards, the defender crucially invited him inside and he shot, caught a defender and looped over a helpless keeper.

The Swiss sloped home ... to the slopes ... time to get back to winter sports!

EURO'2008 GAME 1: GROUP A SWITZERLAND 0 CZECH REPUBUBLIC 1

The opening game and one of the joint host countries are looking at an early exit after an unlucky defeat in a half decent game but which emphasised bot nations are simply making up the numbers in this tournament.

Being in deepest Devon, I was exploring g Plymouth Hoe as the opening ceremony took place which seems to have been universally agreed as dreadful but how can any ever match Diana Ross’ penalty miss at World Cup USA’94.

I managed to miss most of the first half too but that didn’t matter much either as The Swiss were spirited but clueless although I did like their shirt numbers which were set in Lego brick font although Petr Cech the Czech was giving them a helping hand by being Enckleman-like and panic punching weakly at anything in his direction while John Motson did his best to ruin things with constant reminders that Ingerlund weren‘t there … one of the very reasons I could enjoy it!
The Czechs qualified from Wales’ group were exactly as I remembered them - limited with a simple plan of hitting balls in the general direction of 6’7” statue ands Uncle Fester lookielikie Jan Koller. The half ended with some drama as Swiss Captain and talisman Frei (pronounced Fry) got an injury to finish his tournament and (not spelt Crei)!

It was robbery but you always felt the Czechs would score if they somehow managed one shot while the Swiss wouldn’t if they pressured all day and Sverk nicked it with little over 10 minutes to go while the Swiss were denied a penalty, hit the bar when it was easier to hit the target The Swiss went home quietly, just as they were through the contest.