In With the Old. In With the New.

In with the Old
In with the New

David Collins contemplates how the recent World Cup draw has been received amongst Welsh football fans.

Did anybody else find this a hard watch?

Having been raised on the cliff-edge excitement of “balls-from-a-bag” FA Cup draws down the years, I found little sense of “occasion” in the TV coverage of the latest World Cup Draw.

Sky presenter Vicky Gomersall tried hard to inject some pace into the proceedings but struggled to keep up with the complex on-line events. Throw in the inevitable obsession with how the draw came out for England and, well, it was not really an enjoyable TV experience for me. I subsequently heard that it was also available via U Tube but that news did not seem to be thrown out very widely in advance.

The draw itself, produced a somewhat happier outcome from a Welsh perspective. Most followers would have agreed with the assessment of Sky’s “regional” reporter Geraint Hughes, (a man previously unknown to me) that “as long we avoid the English we don’t care” – though he did bang on about it a little maybe. As he explained though, aside from the fact that England would be tough opponents, we could also do without the media ballyhoo that would accompany such a pairing.

The top team would always prove tough opponents and we were not to be let down.

Belgium.

The best team in the world we are told. Ok though, we must play one of the top teams, so Belgium is as good as any. It’s not far away and – restrictions permitting – we can expect a noisy mob of thirsty Belgians to bring colour and coins to the bars of Cardiff. Belgium are regular foes for Wales and we have a decent record against them in recent years including a never-to-be-forgotten victory in the 2016 Euros. My only niggling doubt though…. have we used up all our luck against the Belgians? We cannot beat them yet again, can we?

Next up, the Czech Republic.

This could go either way. I am sure there were easier “Pot 3” teams available and trips to these former Iron curtain lands are never easy. But hey, to quote Gavin & Stacey’s Wedding Fayre sketch, one word; “ Prague,” The ultimate party venue. “Any Questions? No.”

The rest of the draw simply proved too much for Sky to handle.

It may have been easier had two or three of the UK sides been paired together though the “Home Nations” were kept apart. Even the Republic of Ireland (UK?) ended up in a different group Sky observed.

The on-screen display told me that Wales had also been drawn with Belarus and Estonia. Uncharted waters? I know little of football in these countries, though I have seen both in action over the years. Secretly I wanted real “minnows” like San Marino or the Faroe Islands and, whilst Minsk and Tallinn would be exciting new destinations for me, I reckon there are easier “easy fixtures” than these.

So how will we do?

Well, Hughes seemed optimistic. With stars such as Bale and Ramsey at our disposal, we would always have a chance, he felt. Neither are lighting up their club scenes at the moment though. In fact, over last weekend, only one member of the regular Wales squad started a PL fixture – Neco Williams lasting 68 minutes against Wolves. The rest either came on from the bench (Rodon, Davies) or turned out in the Championship (Wilson, Brooks, Roberts) or even below (Gunter, Williams.) Stars such as Bale, Ampadu and Dan James remain fringe players.

There are bright spots though. Kieffer Moore is a regular scorer for Cardiff City and there are promising youngsters coming through. Rodon looks a proper player and future captain. Joe Allen is nearing fitness we hear.

Moreover, there is a confidence about Wales these days, born from successful qualifying campaigns and resolute Nations League displays.

In years gone by, Wales would have struggled in Belarus or Estonia. These days though, most opposing sides would not relish ties against the Welsh lads. Backed by a vociferous (and thirsty!) “Red Wall” of Wales fans and, well…. bring it on, eh?

DAVID COLLINS