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!

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!

Friday Night Failures: Euro 2012 qualifier: Montenegro 1 WALES 0

My Facebook status at Final Whistle summed it up better than any match review will do on here. It read, "I can't decide if that Wales show was shocking or appalling but it was truly crap".

Wales entered a new campaign full of hope, a feeling that the promising young players who have now amassed plenty of caps will now show their quality, but one match into the campaign, those hopes are already in tatters.

As usual, there were absentees (notably the long-term injured hot duo Aaron Ramsey and Jack Collison, the short-term injured Darcy Blake and the always injured Danny Gabbidon) but you would still have backed the side to have at least secured a comfortable point and wished for more but certainly not less.

The side in Podrica was Wayne Hennessey, Sam Ricketts-Ashley Williams-James Collins-Chris Gunter; David Edwards-David Vaughan-Craig Bellamy-Joe Ledley-Gareth Bale; Steve Morison.

Eyebrows were raised at manager John Toshack's 4-5-1 style formation was Millwall's Steve Morison as the target with Gareth Bale advanced along with Craig Bellamy but it gave the visitors pace and skill and for the opening 20 minutes, it all looked very promising as pressure was created, the game was played in Montenegro's half and half chance were created but wayward shooting and the final pass not coming off meant the Montenegro keeper was not tested at all.

From midway through the half, Montenegro found some momentum and Wales looked very poor at the back and with it, the game turned and was lost.

When the goal arrived on the half hour, Wales had already got away with a couple of close scrapes and it had been coming but what a poor one to concede as Montenegro skipper, Roma's VUKCEVIC skinned a "couldn't be arsed" looking challenge from James Collins and then beat Hennessey at his near post, the keeper caught out as he anticipated a shot across him.

A golden chance fell to Craig Bellamy in the final moments of the half but if Wales performance was shown in just one moment, it was Bellers lethargically firing horribly high and wide.

I'm afraid it was a similar story in the second half, the home side looking very comfortable and their keeper having no work to do. Wales did push on and won a couple of edge of box free-kicks but wasted them. Montenegro always looked more likely to get a 2nd but Wales got anything.

With 15 minutes to go, James Collins' miserable night was complete as he took an elbow to the face which may have caused him jaw, eye, cheekbone problems (he is still being assessed but is in a sorry way by all accounts) and there was a final flurry as sub Simon Church headed against the bar on 90 minutes and then has one disallowed in added time for offside as he turned home a rebound after Ledley got in Wales only shot on target of the night.

The most shocking thing for me is that no player emerged with any credit, they all looked a shadow of the players they are, producing nothing like their club form. How can that be explained?

Next up is Bulgaria at home next month but Wales have sucked all interest out of their campaign already. Pre-game, the squad had been calling to play England at Cardiff City's ground instead of Millennium Stadium. If it carries on like this, it may as well be over the road at Leckwith Athletic Stadium.

Transfer Window D-Day

The Summer Transfer Window shuts firmly at 6pm this evening so 12 hours to go on what may, or may not, be an active day but will there be inward or outward moves at Cardiff City?

Having already brought in 7 men, mostly loans, Dave Jones has conducted most of his business already but is still hoping to add "one or two more". It is a fair bet those players will be centre-halves but those deals may not take place today.

Chris Rigott, already training with the club, and Calum Davenport, also linked, are free agents so do not need to be signed today. Both have injury histories and represent gambles, City are understood to be arranging a friendly tomorrow to run the rule over Riggott and maybe Davenport too.

Unlike at is seems, one shock move could see out of favour Anthony Gerrard heading to Premier League West Ham United in some sort of swap move with a homecoming for Bluebirds star, and another injury prone centre half, Danny Gabbidon. Gabbs has just pulled out of Wales' squad for their Euro 2012 opener in Montenegro on Friday but has played in the last two games for the beleagured Hammers ... who, erm, got hammered.

However most concern will be on whether any star men leave with the likes of Peter Whittingham, Jay Bothroyd and Chris Burke all in new contract talks but out of deals next summer making it vital to9 tie them down fast or risk, a la Joe Ledley, losing them for nothing. Whitts, in particular, has been linked to Nottingham Forest who are rumoured to be weighing up one final fling for him. City really do not want to lose any of these men and fans will be counting down the minutes until 6pm.

Others who may go could be Gavin Rae (Leeds or Derby showing interest), Steve McPhail (Ipswich may move for him) and other squad members like Taiwo and co but, again, these players may leave on loan at some time after today rather than find a permanent move now.

Eyes down then and let's hope for the best.

Wales Online preview City at Pompey this weekend and Wales imminent Euro2012 campaign

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.

Toshack unhappy with Wales loss

CLICK LINK FOR VIDEO INTERVIEW:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8198593.stm

Gabbidon discusses Welsh loss in Montenegro

Click link to see video interview:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8198574.stm

Friendly: Montnegro 2 Wales 1

A disappointing game and result as Wales fell to defeat in Eastern Europe tonight.


Wales were robbed of what limited experience they had as Craig Bellamy was injured - with his club forgetting to inform John Toshack - while Carl Fletcher announced his retirement on the day they were due to fly. Joe Ledley, stripped of Cardiff City's Capataincy last week, still led his country. It's hard to remember the last time Wales had ideal preparation for any game.

Wales team: Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter, James Collins, Ashley Williams, Danny Gabbidon, Sam Ricketts, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley (c), Aaron Ramsey, Simon Church, Rob Earnshaw.


Montenegro are ranked 96th but played beyond that - although they were helped by sloppy Welsh defending and a 'homer' of a ref who bizarrely came from neighbouring Serbia.

Earnie had an effort disallowed and Wales had other chances before they fell behind to an unjust penalty awarded against Danny Gabbidon, brilliant to see him back after 18 months out injured. Gabbi's ring rustiness told again as the home side doubled their lead before the interval with the central defender caught out by a through back.

Early after the break, Sam Vokes pulled one back but Wales rarely threatened again from that point and were indebted to a post and poor shooting to prevent a more decisive margin.

Far too early in the season for a friendly like this, isn't it?