WALES WALES

The World Cup starts here
By Mike Hughes

OOPS!!! It was with horror I realised that my last article took up too much space so I’ll try and keep it relatively focused this time!

STUFF YOU KNOW ALREADY

Mark Hughes has agreed his contract and whilst I don’t believe in part-time managers it seems, for once, a reasonable compromise has been reached thus avoiding the sort of wrangles that usually seem to attach themselves to our nation’s team! It’s unfortunate that our Eddie isn’t to be allowed to join the set-up in the manner desired by Hughes (good surname that!!) but it’s an opportunity to debate the alternatives and we should also hold up our hands and acknowledge that one of Wrexham’s real heroes of the past is now so valued by such as Mad Ken. Is that good? Hmmm! The alternatives??? To be honest I’ve heard too many to mention here but I’m sure a debate on Brian Kidd could fill more pages than I’m likely to be allowed and, for the record, my own preference would be either Mike Walker or one of at least 50 others! I think we’ve exhausted the David Johnson debate for the time being but on a more positive note I’ve been very pleased to note that commentators in several national football magazines have commented positively on Giggs joining the squad even when clearly not going to play. My goodness. Positive publicity, discipline AND some team spirit. Whatever next?

NEIL ROBERTS - OUR PART IN HIS DOWNFALL!!!

I personally commented positively last time out on every aspect of Neil’s Welsh debut. I have to say, therefore, that it was a particular pleasure to be invited along with my step-daughter to present the £100 cheque for the RP Champagne Moment before the Rochdale game. As Les took the photos (the camera stuck on the third photo as ever!) I noticed that Neil was looking his usual shy and undemonstrative self but also that he was very tentative with the cheque and even more so with the champagne. Oh my goodness, what have we done? Could it be that Neil is still carrying the wrist injury and the plaster cast could be back on if he ever takes the full weight of a cardboard cheque? I thought this was very inconsiderate of RP and shall be starting a campaign to ensure that consideration is given to presenting a straightforward paper cheque carried onto the pitch by two assistants and with St. John’s Ambulance standing by! On a vaguely Welsh internationalish note, my step-daughter was collared on the side of the pitch prior to the above presentation by Joey who caught sight of her Rockin’ Robin hat and told her it looked “very nice”. She told him it was a lucky mascot because every time she had come to a cup game and worn the hat we’d won (that’s three times then including Rochdale!). Joey suggested she should wear it for the league games and then we’d have no relegation worries(!) before returning into deep conversation with Tony Humes. I decided that ten minutes before kick-off probably wasn’t the moment to start a conversation in which I explain that, yes, I was the same Mike Hughes who complained in an earlier RP about fans getting on Flynn’s back whilst cheering for Joey!!! Let’s save that one for another day.

1958 AND ALL THAT!!!

…and finally…the World Cup draw has now been made. So that’ll be England in the play-offs and the rest of us out unless we surprise a few people. Well, now we approach crunch time. Our group will certainly give the players plenty of opportunity to travel widely and meet interesting people (has anyone introduced the defence to each other?) but if you think I’m about to make a prediction then think again. Oh, okay then.

We’re seeded fourth but we should finish third. If we could learnt to defend away from home (or anywhere) and thus pick up points then a few home wins could surprise people. The real questions are about where will the home games get played and what changes will be made to the squad next time out? I’ll leave the latter point until next time but, personally, I’d play the big teams at the Racecourse and let a close crowd intimidate them and play the small nations at the Millen (can’t be bothered to spell it and it’ll be passé next year anyway) Cardiff so they’re intimidated in a different way. My legal adviser says this is called logical but perverse. RP