YOU'RE AN
EMBARRASSMENT
CYPRUS 1
WALES 0
A shambolic night for the Red Dragon
Just what the **** was that about?
Ok, it was a friendly, in the grand scheme of things, as meaninglesss as they come too. Wales had several stars absent - Giggs, Davies, Delaney, Collins and more - and even had we won handsomely, it wouldn't have stayed in the memory long or mean the future was healthy but none of those can be offered as excuses for one of the most inept Welsh performances I've ever had to endure. The only blessing for me was that I watched it from home instead of being there and I was able to change channels (frequently!) or get up and do other things.
Ok, it was a friendly, in the grand scheme of things, as meaninglesss as they come too. Wales had several stars absent - Giggs, Davies, Delaney, Collins and more - and even had we won handsomely, it wouldn't have stayed in the memory long or mean the future was healthy but none of those can be offered as excuses for one of the most inept Welsh performances I've ever had to endure. The only blessing for me was that I watched it from home instead of being there and I was able to change channels (frequently!) or get up and do other things.
It was, though, just how awful we were, against a "nothing" side that was alarming and unacceptable. Cyprus got just 4 points in World Cup qualifiers, three of them with an away win in the Faroe Islands. At home, they lost 4 and drew one (againhst the Faroes again). Wales should be expected to perform and get a resulkt but here they were from first whistle to last being outfought, outthought, out-skilled, out of it.
When tv commentators admit that it's boring, then you know it's dire. When the manager has to admit it was one of the worst performances he's ever seen from any international side, then fans should have no problem in launching into a tirade.
The stats said it all. Cyprus 22 shots, 13 on target. Wales just 1 shot off target and that came at the very end. Wales Man of the Match was rookie keeper Lewis Price who made at least 4 excellent saves, especially in the final half-hour when the Cypriots were getting through, around and past us almost at will and queuing up for pot shots. Tosh was forthright when he commented that Price was the only Welsh player who performed, the rest did nothing.
The crowd was pitiful but Welsh outnumbered the locals by 3 to 1. We had enough know how, experience, Premiership players and star quality to perform against one of the poorer sides of Europe.
Instead it was a farce. Danny Gabbidon should have been brimming with pride and passion with his first night as Welsh captain. Great player, can be an inspiration with his football but no leader of men and it showed. His casual, laidback way rubbed off on others. Robert Page - credit to him for helping Wales but why is he still in the set up?
Midfield was dreadful. The Cypriots showed commitment, the Welsh boys didn't and, in strolling around without urgency, they were shown up by their counterparts. Up front, Bellamy tried but had nil service, the sole tactic was to find Hartson but, yet again, he failed to deliver. I'm afraid that's becoming the 'norm' with Big John.
On came Earnie for the final 20 but what's happened to they boy. I've never seen him look more out of condition. Were his shorts fitted with padding or has his arse ballooned out of recognition to baboon size? He showed one glimpse of what he can be - a move, turn and shot that missed by a whisker - and that was the sum total of Wales' "effort" too. It was just as well Earnie didn't score, he'd have landed on that arse had he somersaulted. Thinking Wales would go for it, we actually succeeded in getting worse.
For those who went to Cyprus, tickets cost what seemed to be a bargain of £5. I only hope the players refunded them all at least £4.99 of that from their appearance money because, believe me, they didn't appear tonight.
The stats said it all. Cyprus 22 shots, 13 on target. Wales just 1 shot off target and that came at the very end. Wales Man of the Match was rookie keeper Lewis Price who made at least 4 excellent saves, especially in the final half-hour when the Cypriots were getting through, around and past us almost at will and queuing up for pot shots. Tosh was forthright when he commented that Price was the only Welsh player who performed, the rest did nothing.
The crowd was pitiful but Welsh outnumbered the locals by 3 to 1. We had enough know how, experience, Premiership players and star quality to perform against one of the poorer sides of Europe.
Instead it was a farce. Danny Gabbidon should have been brimming with pride and passion with his first night as Welsh captain. Great player, can be an inspiration with his football but no leader of men and it showed. His casual, laidback way rubbed off on others. Robert Page - credit to him for helping Wales but why is he still in the set up?
Midfield was dreadful. The Cypriots showed commitment, the Welsh boys didn't and, in strolling around without urgency, they were shown up by their counterparts. Up front, Bellamy tried but had nil service, the sole tactic was to find Hartson but, yet again, he failed to deliver. I'm afraid that's becoming the 'norm' with Big John.
On came Earnie for the final 20 but what's happened to they boy. I've never seen him look more out of condition. Were his shorts fitted with padding or has his arse ballooned out of recognition to baboon size? He showed one glimpse of what he can be - a move, turn and shot that missed by a whisker - and that was the sum total of Wales' "effort" too. It was just as well Earnie didn't score, he'd have landed on that arse had he somersaulted. Thinking Wales would go for it, we actually succeeded in getting worse.
For those who went to Cyprus, tickets cost what seemed to be a bargain of £5. I only hope the players refunded them all at least £4.99 of that from their appearance money because, believe me, they didn't appear tonight.
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