Euro ’20: A Journey with Wales

I always want to avoid taking a negative route when viewing Welsh footy, but almost everyone on this WhatsApp group will recall small (and at times) disenchanted crowds, players not singing (or perhaps even knowing) the anthem, constant last minute squad withdrawals, Swans/Cardiff shirts and chants at away games, etc etc. Yet the British media portray the Welsh team as ALWAYS being together, needing nothing other than the dragon on the shirt and always being able to rely on a red wall support similar in size and tradition to the Tartan Army. My point is over the last few years a younger support of male and female fans have been able to base their social plans around large party like fan events – similar to the support of the national rugby side. The new management of the national game need to recognise that expectations are now high, and fewer and fewer supporters have had to dig as deep as we have to keep the faith. Unlike the rugby side where bad defeats can be avenged on a prearranged weekend a year later, Welsh football will have its wet Tuesday nights in Cardiff when qualification can’t be achieved. The new Welsh management will need to address how we can challenge at World Cups/Euros if we are still reliant on reserve goalkeepers (after 20 years of Welsh club academies), championship players who don’t always feature for their clubs and just a handful of promising youngsters who are often an injury away from significant lack of form and confidence. In short the new Welsh management both coaching and admin will need to address both short and medium term WC/Euro qualification to maintain the new Welsh support – both in terms of numbers and expectation. Just my thoughts after today’s defeat. Nos da