The increase to 24 teams in the finals has made it much, much easier to qualify - but even under the old system they'd be in with a great shout.
While they've had good individuals in the past, it's never quite worked for them as a team (and in Giggs's case he was always withdrawing from the squad). With this team Coleman seems to have found the magic formula, with hard-working players supporting Bale and a little added quality from Ramsey. I don't think you can overestimate the influence of Ashley Williams either - a terrific defender and great leader.
Totally agree about Southall - in the mid/late 80s there was no one better. I reckon the time when they really should have done something was the Southall/Rush/Hughes/Ratcliffe era, but they conceded that needless late penalty on the night Jock Stein died in 1985.
