I think England should definitely play more games around the country to keep their fan base well spread, and there is so much resentment for everything sporting to be London-centric, it might encourage a bit more unity. Unfortunately, I think when Wales do it, we do it because we can't fill the millennium stadium.
Scott I was one of those who took out a Silver membership of FAW for this competition and pre-bought tickets for all the games. I was actually looking forward to my first visit to the Liberty for the Swiss game if only to see if there any difference in the support for Wales at Swansea compared to Cardiff. Unfortunately I am double booked with a work commitment that night so am passing my ticket on to a mate. If he wears his Bluebirds shirt to the game you will be nice to him won't you?
Leeeeon, agreed that sadly it's for different reasons to why England should(?) be doing it. BluefromBridgend, as I will be in Ibiza you'll have to rely on my telepathic powers to ensure your mates safety, I'll be doing my best though!
Leeeeon, you've got that one right pal It's going to be a long road back to getting a half full Millenium again, let alone the sell outs we were getting under the better days of Hughes' reign.... Regarding the English, when they knocked the old Wembley down they definately missed the boat to sell off prime land in London and re-build a national stadium near/in the midlands. Would have made far more sense all round for the fans but I daresay the bigwigs at the FA prefer getting a jolly outing in London than in somewhere like West Bromwich Honest question, how do you Jacks feel about travelling to Cardiff for Wales games at the Millenium? I'm sure a few must be put off by the thought.. likewise Wrexham and surrounding areas in North and Mid-Wales I guess??
I'm sure I read something about when the feasability study was being done, and how it made so much more sense on every level to do it near Birmingham... but the crux of it was "well, it should be in Londinium innit". As a Swans fan, I have absolutely nothing against going to see Wales play in Cardiff. I think sadly infighting between Jacks and Bluebirds might have put people off on occassion for various reasons, legitimate or not.
why we have not filled our allocation for the game is plain and simple..........why pay to watch some good welsh players go through the motions of the game with very little passion. We have been diabolical for decades and not performing to a high standard that their skill level says they should, we have had managers that are good club managers but not very good country managers. toshack for example is a rubbish country manager who has set us back years and now speed who we cant tell yet if he has the ability to set us back on the right path, only time will tell but until we start winning and performing then the fans wont waste their money going to games....sparkey has been the best in recent times and that reflects the attendances of 74,000+....
Do you not think Dai, though, that Sparkey knew he was on a hiding to nothing with that squad? We did well at the time but it was always going to be the case that once a few players retired that squad was going to struggle. I think the lack of emphasis on youth and building a squad that has been endemic for years is still showing us up now. For all that has been said about Toshack and his methods, I'll always argue that by bringing in lots of young players he's set us up well for the future, and I still think he was unfairly treated at the end and messrs Savage et al have a lot to do with that. If Speed can, at the very least, keep the squad we have in place and encourage a good strong team ethic, I think in 2 or 3 years we'll be a damn sight better off. Teams like Greece (Euro 2004?) winners show that you don't need world class players to be world beaters.
Surely Flynn must take much of the credit for bringing the youngsters through? Where Toshack lost it was switching off the older players by his methods and lack of motivational skills. If half of them had stayed to help bring on the youngsters we would be in a much stronger position than today. Perhaps they should have bitten the bullet and carried on but Toshack was very black and white and if on the wrong side of him a very difficult man to work with.
18 players left wales for one reason or another under toshacks reign, He did not command the respect of the players to keep them, Take giggsy and all that rubbish that he wanted to prolong his premiership time with man utd,. What utter tripe he very rarely played any friendly games anyway and what difference would playing a rare game for wales would have made to his career....tosh has set us back years and some of them 18 players would have not left if his management skills were better and we would not be so far down the rankings that we will find it hard and take years to ever get back to a more respectable level....
I'll agree with that, but only to a point as wasn't it Flynn in charge of the u21's when they were on something like a 21 match losing streak?! I could be wrong though... He does seem to be doing a very good job at the moment though, and you can only work with what you're given I guess. Most of the 18 were around the age for international retirement anyway Dai, and while I accept, as has been mentioned, that Toshack struggled when it comes to man-management, I think it's very harsh to say he's set us back years. Agree again with BluefromBridgend though in that for the younger players it would have been nice to have some more experience kicking around.
I think attendances are mainly affected by recent results, not down to previous managers' legacy. I know that what is being said is that the mis-management of previous Welsh squads hasn't helped our ability to win games, but taking in to account the fickleness of the modern football fan, 2 or 3 good results could see attendances soar. And we are capable of getting a few results, probably not against England, but after beating Montenegro, who have some fantastic players, I am confident we can win more games.
Yes, a real test will be v. Switzerland next month. A much more realistic target. They will be in a similar non-qualification position to us but have little to play for. I hope we get our strongest out again and they will feel they are starting to put it together (regardless of what happens tonight). Also a chance to move on from there away at Bulgaria. It is evident from last weekend they are a not very good side and our guys will feel they have something to prove after the poor performance at CCS. Again it depends on getting our best players available - easier in the UK than east Europe. 2 out of 3 wins in the next 3 games will bring more confidence and we can go into the World Cup qualifiers in a much stronger position. I'm particularly looking forward to Macedonia at home. Toshack's reception will be "interesting". Might he be happier if that was played at the Liberty rather than CCS?
"Toshack's reception will be "interesting". This I don't fully understand. Am I to believe from this comment that a Cardiff boy,an ex Cardiff City hero,will get a negative,hostile reception at CCS? If so,why? Is it his affiliation to Swansea City perhaps? If so,that was a long time ago,and he is still,after all, a son of Cardiff.
I think that the reason for non attendance at games is simple with both Swansea and ***diff both doing well all welsh fans would rather spend their money on their first love. That being their clubs. Traveling away to watch Awansea as well as purchasing a season ticket for me and my son leaves no spare cash. The only thing i will be hoping for is no injuries to any of our players. I can not get excited about a wales game. I know that sounds unpatriotic but that is where i am with this. The atmosphere is poor at best and doesnt feel like a football atmosphere at all.
