The Gareth Wales Baleathon is back, back, back!

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Fuck sake

[Patrick Thistle]

Two Welsh players compete to clear it and combine to assist a Spain goal. Embarrassing.

[Ray de Galles]

Fucking shambles. I know it’s a friendly and I know it’s Spain but this is a dreadful display so far.

[Patrick Thistle]

Come on Ray we just had a corner!!!!

[Patrick Thistle]

Bring back Chris Coleman.

In defence.

[Satchmo Distel]

0-2 Spain. (Meanwhile, John Hartson becomes the latest commentator/co-commentator to fall into the 'Chris Gunter' spoonerism manhole...)

https://mobile.twitter.com/BenHomer9...145537/video/1

[Jah Womble]

Well, that header wasn't too shabby...

[Ray de Galles]

I did ponder if I should revive this thread after being convinced some time ago it was cursed. I chose the wrong option.

[3 Colours Red]

I'm kind of glad I forgot this was tonight. Sounds like we're getting a torrid anal hammering.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Is Bobby Gould wearing a Ryan Giggs mask?

[3 Colours Red]

4-0. Fuck.

[Jah Womble]

That was a decent move for 1-4.

[Patrick Thistle]

Good old Vokesy. I'd actually gone off to do the washing up. Mrs Thistle called me back in to watch the replay.

That's Sam's second headed goal in Cardiff in a couple of weeks.

[Patrick Thistle]

I did ponder if I should revive this thread after being convinced some time ago it was cursed. I chose the wrong option.

It could be worse. We could be Scottish.

[Sporting]

Not counting penalty shoot-outs, Spain haven't lost for about two years. The result is perfectly understandable given the level of the players concerned.

[Satchmo Distel]

Would have been great to have seen this version of Spain at the World Cup.

[Bored Of Education]

Just seen a bit of chat on Facebook that the game should have been played at the State De Farce as we would have had a better chance there.

[3 Colours Red]

Nah... if you want to see us beat Spain, play it at the Racecourse!

[Kevin S]

Evening Dragons. Dropping by to let you know that Gwion Edwards was outstanding against Blackpool today. Played outside left in a 4-3-3 and where the left back (Myles Kenlock) is the reserve one over whom there are always question marks.

He covered really well, including being the fastest player getting back into his own box when a counter attack broke, getting his head to a cross to prevent a likely goal.

And going forward he was the main threat today, scoring two and assisting one of the other two.

Last season he was used as a wing back or even full back after injuries. This season he's played in either of the flanks. Might be the sort of player who suffers from being too versatile if you see what I mean but he would be a useful option in a tournament squad I'm sure.

[Ray de Galles]

Disinterring the thread to mark Ashley Williams' retirement from football.

I didn't rate Williams that highly for much of his early career (and still think he owed a huge debt to Neil Taylor and Ben Davies who allowed him to thrive for Swansea and Wales) but as Wales most successful captain ever he deserves massive praise.

His goal against Belgium in Lille and more importantly his and the whole team, squad & backroom staff's reaction to it is a fitting testament to his central role in the greatest era of our lives ;

[Ray de Galles]

Assuming this isn't a massive coincidence it is a fantastic story :

https://twitter.com/bettsy51/status/1354030803794210823?s=21

[Bizarre Löw Triangle]

He was asked about it a few years ago

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/...shley-11870964

[elguapo4]

Great story, I didn't realise that Subbuteo was still popular that late in the 90s. TBH, I thought it had died out sometime in the 80s.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I saw this yesterday and had no idea where to put it but I think it fits well here.

I know that Ray de Galles didn't rate him but slowly came around, was it the Swansea factor?

He was immense for Swansea, consistently putting his body on the line by throwing himself in front of the ball. He grew and developed as a player and sadly left Swansea at the wrong time. There were strong rumours that he was going to leave under Laudrup for Arsenal, which led to the breakdown in the relationship between Laudrup and Jenkins. He was passed his best when he joined Everton and things didn't work out for him.

For Wales he took on the captaincy and thrived, allowing Ramsey and others to concentrate on playing only.

A great player for Swansea and Wales, and a much better leader. Thanks Ashley Williams.

[Ray de Galles]

My judgement of him was never really based on him being a Swansea player but more the fact that whenever I saw him for club and country over many years he always made at least one potentially catastrophic error per match.

I think even his biggest fans concede that he wasn't always the best defender but was hugely committed and a great captain. Certainly there were always more talented players around him for Swansea and Wales (as I mentioned in the initial post) who he thrived playing with in a symbiotic relationship.

As you say, he definitely developed in to a far better player as his career went on (unsurprising for a relatively late starter as a pro/league player) but never looked the same outside of the Jacks' or Welsh back four, as evinced by his time at Everton and Stoke.