WALES WALES
Making his Mark
By Mike Hughes
I have received complaints that last month’s column was rather dull. That’s
because it was a fixture list…and, I was so stunned by the upturn in WFC’s
fortunes (honest!) that I thought you didn’t need anything to distract you. Anyway,
there’s certainly been plenty to talk about so… back to work!!!
I FOUGHT THE FA AND I WON
Personally I think we should ignore Sir Alex suggesting that a visit to Qatar
this time of season was an appalling idea and the equally bizarre suggestion that Ryan
Giggs would risk injury by sitting down all the way there!!! I also think that we played
the right formation; that the defensive approach was correct and the result justified the
whole thing. Even better is the fact that Mr. H. is now officially appointed; he’s
left Southampton for Everton, and finally, the decision to play Finland at the National
Stadium and lower the prices has paid dividends beyond our wildest dreams. Is there
anything Mark Hughes is ever likely to get wrong? It would appear my varying shades of
optimistic folly over the past few months suddenly weren’t optimistic enough. Good
grief, did I really say that?
JUSTIFY MY LOVE
So, how do I justify all of the above? Right, one at a time. Our World Cup
qualifying group is difficult but with a set of fixtures which are grouped so that, with
the exception of one pair in March 2001, we play at home first and then fly out to an away
game within days. It strikes me that this might be a great way to build squad spirit but
practice at travelling that sort of distance was needed. The standard of the opposition
was irrelevant. What mattered was the journey. It also gave everyone a chance to spell a
word beginning with ‘Q’ that isn’t followed by a ‘U’! Grammar and
philosophy - what more do you want? Yeah, I know, sorry, I forgot… strikers!!!
THREE WHINES ON MY SHIRT
Sir Whinealot thinks the timing was bizarre. So, was that any more bizarre than
United travelling to Brazil then? Sorry, what I meant to say was…was that any more
bizarre than Michael Silvestre (the years’ most inexplicable transfer). Hmm. Maybe
what I meant to say was is that any more bizarre than Giggs not playing in risky friendly
games but turning out for Sir Whingealots’ testimonial? And f the list goes on!!!
QATAR MAN
So, do they not do club class to Qatar then Ryan? This has to be the funniest
thing I’ve heard all year. When was the last time you heard of a footballer able to
sit still for hours on end? It usually takes an anesthetic or a court appearance in my
experience!
THE SHAPE I’M IN
I have heard much condemnation of our allegedly defensive formation. Have these
people forgotten my observation in an earlier issue that it was my fervent wish that Wales
would learn to travel away and not concede goals or alternatively (please) just not lose?
Generally, this is done by either foolhardy amounts of attacking (see Man United); having
world-class players in every position, or, packing the midfield, working hard and trying
to keep the shape and balance of the team for 90 minutes. Now, which one would you rule
out as an option? Oh, and before anyone writes in and suggests that surely I meant pack
the defence - no, I didn’t. Packing the defence immediately concedes territory and
probably possession for 90 minutes. Packing the midfield means plenty of people can track
back defensively and a chance to break forward every now and again. So, hurrah for 1-0.
Frankly, two wins out of every three games on our travels and reasonable home form would
be enough to see us qualify for a major tournament. Attacking formation anyone? Hurrah,
Mark Hughes is now officially our manager and he’s moved to Everton. It might sound
bizarre but it’s always useful to have a manager who can remember first-team football
and, better still, can remember how to win!
SPARKY’S PATRIOTIC VICTORY
It would appear that the stadium might actually contain 40,000 plus for the
friendly against Finland. The Welsh FA have now revised their estimate to 60,000 but
I’m ignoring that. These are the people who thought we could win things (like games!)
with Mike Smith and Bobby Ghoul! Terrifying! Now I was ready to simply bow down once again
to the mighty Mark full of admiration for his daring to insist that the match did not take
place at Ninian Park, and, the equally brave suggestion that lowering prices might bring
in the crowds, however, never in my wildest dreams did I think that the crowd would exceed
25 to 30 (thousand that is!). I suppose there’s still a part of me that thinks they
won’t actually turn up on the night but, if the concept is combined with Giggs
actually appearing in a friendly well, frankly, who knows! Mark Hughes, I salute you.
BITCH
Incidentally, did you notice how I resisted the temptation to insert the words
“David Rhodes/Allan Thomas et al please note” after the words
“…lowering prices might bring in the crowds”. Good. The one I didn’t
want to mention above. Wales versus Brazil. The concept is interesting isn’t it. They
actually want to play us (I presume this is untrue but that Mark Hughes has now taken over
PR at the Welsh FA! Maybe they just want to see a real stadium!). Finally, a chance to see
world class players (like Ryan Giggs - ha - bet he turns up for that one!) and sing
without fear of embarrassment “It’s just like watching Brazil”.
LIFT ME UP
Finally, a Welsh manager who has presided over a rise in Wales FIFA
standings… and he even does press conferences at the Racecourse. What a man! (Next
column in next issue possibly titled “I Go To Pieces”, “Fools Gold” or
“Send In The Clowns”.) RP