At 11am on Monday May 9th, Chris Coleman will name his initial squad of 28 for ‘France 2016’, more than a month before Wales’ opening match of the tournament.
It means there will be less speculation about the final 23, but with the domestic season not yet over Coleman could yet be forced into changes. Dai Sport’s Ross Tyson gazes into his crystal ball to predict the eventual squad and also offers his own choices.
You hear a lot of fans say that Chris Coleman should pick “players he trusts” and “the ones that got us there”. That being said; I trust my girlfriend but I wouldn’t start her up front against Russia. Even if he does pick the players that got us there, that still leaves room for a few more given it was a core of around 16 players called upon most often in the qualifying campaign.
While the elite pick themselves, the final make-up of the squad could prove vitally important. So who will Coleman pick, and what would I do differently? *
Coleman’s (predicted) squad:
Goalkeepers:
Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owian Fôn Williams
Only injury would change this trio. In that case, Lewis Price or Chris Maxwell could provide back up, as opposed to potentially awkward phone calls to Boaz Myhill or Karl Darlow.
Defenders:
Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, Neil Taylor, James Collins, Jazz Richards, Paul Dummett
Defence was the bedrock of Wales’ qualifying campaign and I think Coleman will set up with a back five in France, so eight defenders will travel to provide adequate cover.
Midfielders:
Joe Allen, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, David Vaughan, Jonny Williams, David Cotterill
I think Coleman will go with experience which will see bright George Williams miss out. I think he will also go for Dai Vaughan as cover for Joe Allen rather than David Edwards. Rumours that Jonny Williams works as a receptionist at the FAW HQ between international breaks will resurface.
Attackers:
Gareth Bale, Hal Robson-Kanu, Simon Church, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence
As with the midfield, I think “experience” will be the watchword. They are not the attackers I would pick, but more on that later. Church’s move to Aberdeen may swing the balance in his favour.
Ross Tyson’s squad:
Goalkeepers:
Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owian Fôn Williams
The squad would be stronger with the addition of Myhill but I don’t see him coming out of retirement unless it’s to be first choice, which won’t happen.
Defenders:
Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, Neil Taylor, James Collins, Jazz Richards, Paul Dummett
Seven of the eight pick themselves, and while he’s not a world beater Paul Dummett can provide cover in any of the back five positions should he be needed. For me, this would see him edge out Adam Matthews or Adam Henley.
Midfielders:
Joe Allen, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, David Edwards, Emyr Huws, David Cotterill, Jonny Williams
Huws’ performance in Ukraine and future importance to Wales would see him in my squad. David Edwards’ goal-scoring knack would see him edge out Vaughan, too.
Attackers:
Gareth Bale, Hal Robson-Kanu, Tom Bradshaw, Sam Vokes
For me, the only question mark over Tom Bradshaw is whether or not he should be starting rather than whether or not he should be part of the squad. A total of 20 goals last season and the likelihood of 20-plus more this season is the reason for that.
Chris Coleman’s (Predicted) squad:
Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owian Fôn Williams, Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, Neil Taylor, James Collins, Jazz Richards, Paul Dummett, Joe Allen, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, David Vaughan, Jonny Williams, David Cotterill, Gareth Bale, Hal Robson-Kanu, Simon Church, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence
Ross Tyson’s squad:
Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owian Fôn Williams, Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, Neil Taylor, James Collins, Jazz Richards, Paul Dummett, Joe Allen, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, David Edwards, Emyr Huws, David Cotterill, Jonny Williams, Gareth Bale, Hal Robson-Kanu, Tom Bradshaw, Sam Vokes
What do you make of the squads, and who would you take?
* Yes, I’ve never managed my country to an international tournament, but I doubt Coleman has managed an under 13s team to a hard fought point from 5-1 down against Splott Albion.