More questions than answers as Page sets Welsh tongues wagging

Stand-in Wales boss Robert Page sent the keyboard warriors of Wales into overdrive with some surprise choices and exclusions from the latest Wales squad, announced on 15 March.

Continuing to cover for the temporarily “indisposed” Ryan Giggs, Page’s mammoth squad for the forthcoming encounters with Mexico, Belgium and the Czech Republic comprised an eclectic selection from all parts of the football fraternity.

The four goalkeepers include no obvious stand-out first choices, though Wayne Hennessy is expected to inch ever nearer to his 100 caps over the three games.

If Page goes with a back-five, the excellent Connor Roberts of Swansea City is expected to continue his fine form as wing-back with perhaps Nico Williams of Liverpool occupying the other flank. Ben Davies, Joe Rodon and maybe Chris Mepham would take the centre ground. Ben Cabango might also feature.

It’s in midfield, though that Page raises the most eyebrows. Despite what we hear from Turin, Aaron Ramsey features in the squad and, despite his injury, Page really does expect to see him at the training camp.

It’s great to see Joe Allen back in the fold and, whilst we still wait for Ethan Ampadu to really fulfil his potential, the midfield at least has some substance to it if everyone is fit.

Amazingly though, Page has omitted the talents of Cardiff City’s Will Vaulks. Vaulks has been a huge figure in Cardiff’s recent resurgence under Mick McCarthy and you can’t help thinking that a midfield made up of Ramsey, Allen and Vaulks could just provide a decent platform for the men in red if Page goes with a flat back four.

The absence of Vaulks, a Championship high flyer, seems all the more astonishing when we see midfield players selected from such giants of the football world as Istra 1961 (Croatia), Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln City. Fans seemed delighted by the selection of the cultured Josh Sheehan of Newport County but Vaulks and others must be scratching their heads. Reliable Jonny Williams has been selected ahead of Vaulks despite starting no games for Cardiff City this season.

Up-front, the words “Dan James, Gareth Bale and Kieffer Moore” would’ve been uttered around Welsh living rooms.

By anyone’s standards, this is a hatful of riches. This wheel’s on fire. Moore seems likely to fight it out with Roberts for Welsh Club Player of the Year while Bale and James are finding their feet in the Premier League at last. Chuck in Tyler Roberts of Leeds with Cardiff’s Harry Wilson and there suddenly attacking options available.

Some commentators may question the inclusion of Hal Robson Kanu (no goals) ahead of Plymouth’s Luke Jepthcott (16 goals) or Christian Doidge up at Hibs but, well, PL v League One or Scotland? You pays your money and takes your chance.

The squad announcement has fired up the Welsh public. We all have our favourites. We all have our prejudices. We juggle European superstars with League Two favourites.

But we wait, eagerly, as our Welsh Warriors prepare to raise our hopes once more.

C’mon Wales!

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt