Giggs is no longer Wales' only world class player
Saturday, March 24, 2007

What an uninspiring afternoon. Most of the people in the pub couldn't even be bothered to watch the football. And while we are on the subject, why on earth are our national team's games only available on satellite television? Everyone should be able to watch their country perform.

Except that Wales didn't perform today. Giggs is no longer Wales' only world class player. That's because he's not world class anymore. As captain, he should have galvanised the team and led by example. Instead, he was woeful and his complete lack of impact was epitomised by two wasted free kicks towards the end of the game.

Here's hoping for an Israel win to salvage something from the day.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 5:33 pm,

10 Comments:

At 9:10 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

(you missed an "l" out of one of the worlds there)

Aw shucks. Still, I don't see how we were ever going to qualify in this group anyway.

How is an Israeli victory going to salvage anything?

 
At 9:14 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ah right, I get it. Israel drew. (I dint follow the England games)

 
At 11:24 pm, Blogger Blamerbell said...

"Aw shucks. Still, I don't see how we were ever going to qualify in this group anyway."

By winning some games. And picking decent Welsh players.

People shouldn't retire from international football either voluntarily or otherwise. Wales would be half decent if we used the players who are still performing in the premiership.

Toshack is on a different planet.

 
At 4:37 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was in the Basque Country, where Toshack lives, in 2005 shortly after he took over from Sparky. Everyone knows who he is over there, having managed Real Sociedad. So I asked at least 20 different people in various localities for their oppinions about how Wales (or any team) would fare under Toshack. ONE person said he was good at spotting new talent, but ALL said: You're going to lose.

 
At 7:03 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

One poor performance does not a world class player un-make.

True, Giggs was poor, but his team-mates weren't particularly inspired either.

I'd much sooner identify Toshack's tactics, the inexperience of the defence or our complete lack of imagination in the final third as the reason for yesterday's dismal showing.

http://stillbeautiful.wordpress.com/2007/03/25/same-old-tosh/

 
At 7:23 pm, Blogger Blamerbell said...

"I'd much sooner identify Toshack's tactics, the inexperience of the defence or our complete lack of imagination in the final third as the reason for yesterday's dismal showing."

Hardly surprising, given your Man Utd loyalties.

The simple truth is that Giggs can no longer be compared to the best players in the world. He's guilty of too many passes astray, too many fluffed corners and free kicks and far too much laziness.

World class players are supposed to take their chances in the big games. You need look only to Zidane for that. As for Giggs, remember that play-off final against Russia?

 
At 8:41 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"The simple truth is that Giggs can no longer be compared to the best players in the world. He's guilty of too many passes astray, too many fluffed corners and free kicks and far too much laziness."

Rubbish, absolute rubbish.

Have you not watched United play this season? Giggsy has been in the form of his life. He may have been poor yesterday, but his form this season has been excellent, and you'd be hard-pushed to find a single pundit of any repute who'd agree with you on this one.

Giggs was guilty of a bad miss against Russia, but no footballer - no matter how good he is - converts every chance that comes his way.

 
At 8:58 pm, Blogger Blamerbell said...

"Giggs was guilty of a bad miss against Russia, but no footballer - no matter how good he is - converts every chance that comes his way."

You don't get chances like that very often. Big players score in the big games. And they don't get bigger than that for Wales.

I've watched more United games this season than ever before for some reason. After all those hours, I'm quite happy to admit that Ronaldo is world class. Giggs has sometimes been good, but he's no longer one of the very best.

 
At 9:57 pm, Blogger hafod said...

Having had the misfortune to be in Croker for the game (the Irish described it accurately as Shite vs Shit), I can only agree re Giggs.

Giggs can be world class for Man Utd but rarely does it for Wales. Has he lost interest?

We may have a half-decent team in three years when these youngsters come good but the waiting is killing me... I refuse to accept that Wales is unable to qualify for a major championship when N Ireland, Scotland and the Republic (as well as Latvia, Slovenia and other similar sized countries) have all done so in the past 25 years.

It's a problem that starts with the FAW blazers but also with various managers' poor tactical decisions coupled with some really bad luck.

I also agree with Blam re the retirement of players like Speed. We needed him a year ago and we still need him now. Savage should also be playing for us - Toshack needs to swallow his pride.

 
At 10:04 pm, Blogger Blamerbell said...

"Having had the misfortune to be in Croker for the game (the Irish described it accurately as Shite vs Shit), I can only agree re Giggs."

You poor thing. I hope the post-match party made it worthwhile.

'Croker Shit' was the obvious headline the Wales on Sunday neglected to use this morning.

 

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