OPINION: How Wales should line up against Croatia in Osijek
Cardiff, Wales. 15th November, 2018. Wales manager Ryan Giggs trains at the Cardiff City Stadium ahead of their upcoming international matches against Denmark & Albania. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Wales head to Osijek on Saturday to face World Cup finalists Croatia, looking to make it two wins from two in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Group E.
A maiden international goal for youngster Dan James gave Ryan Giggs’ men a 1-0 win over Slovakia in their opening game of the qualifying campaign back in March.
Croatia, who missed out in the final of last summer’s World Cup, suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Hungary on Matchday One, before edging past Azerbaijan 2-1 in their second group game.
A host of young players were given a starting place by Giggs in the win at Cardiff City Stadium, with the likes of Connor Roberts, Harry Wilson, Matt Smith, James and David Brooks all playing key roles.
But what sort of team should the boss opt for this weekend, in what is expected to be Wales’ toughest game of the qualifying campaign?
Wayne Hennessey
The Crystal Palace stopper started in between the sticks against Slovakia, and we’ve seen no reason to suggest that he shouldn’t keep his place in the starting 11 for Saturday’s game.
The 32-year-old kept a clean sheet that day, something he did on five occasions for the Eagles in the Premier League last season.
Danny Ward is a more than capable deputy on the bench, however this season has been another where he has failed to get the amount of game time he would like; which surely counts against him when it comes to international selection.
Connor Roberts
The Swansea City full-back had a stellar 2018/19 campaign, cementing his place as a first team regular at the Liberty Stadium.
Neath-born Roberts flourished under manager Graham Potter, who has since departed the club to take over the reins at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Linked with a move to AFC Bournemouth, the 23-year-old’s stock has certainly risen in the last year, and he looks likely to start his second successive game of the campaign ahead of Wales’ record cap holder Chris Gunter.
Chris Mepham
The Bournemouth centre-back started against Slovakia, and showed Wales fans why the Cherries opted to shell out £12 million to bring him to the south coast.
The 21-year-old put in an assured performance at the back, looking calm on the ball and up to the task when he was called upon.
Certainly a player for the future, the former Brentford defender should be given the opportunity to build on his previous display, and will learn a lot from playing against a quality opponent away from home.
James Lawrence
Making just his third appearance for Wales, Lawrence was one of the stand-out performers against the Slovaks.
Something of an unknown quantity, the Anderlecht man played well alongside Mepham: whom he will not have been very familiar with.
Giggs may want to opt for the experience of Ashley Williams for such a game, however he could see this game as an opportunity to build the connection between Lawrence and Mepham.
Neil Taylor
Ben Davies would have been a certainty to start this game, however a hernia operation means he will miss the next two matches.
Left-back is a position where Wales have some real depth, with the likes of Paul Dummett, Neil Taylor and Ben Williams all able deputies to Davies.
Dummett has a hamstring injury, however, and a game of this magnitude is probably not the right time to hand Williams his first senior cap.
Harry Wilson
After an impressive season on loan at Derby County, Wilson’s season ended in disappointment as the Rams lost 2-1 to Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Scoring 15 goals for the Pride Park outfit, the 22-year-old made a real name for himself during his loan spell, and has a lot to offer this Wales team; with his creativity, energy and clinical nature from free-kicks.
Wilson will compete with the likes of Will Vaulks and Rabbi Matondo for a starting berth, and based off his performances this term; you would back him to get the nod.
Joe Allen
One of the first names on the team sheet nowadays, Allen is a consistent performer who is vital to Wales’ chances of qualifying for the Euros.
The former Swansea man will be crucial when it comes to breaking up play in midfield, and trying to thread passes through to the forward players.
It is usually the case that when Allen plays well, Wales are on the right end of the score-line, and you feel that much of Wales’ hopes will rest on his shoulders.
Matt Smith
Another youngster who impressed against Slovakia, Matt Smith was a key figure in the FC Twente squad who secured promotion back to the Eredivisie for next season.
Still only 19 years of age, Smith has already had the opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage, winning five caps to date.
The teenager linked well with Allen in the previous outing, and with the limited number of central-midfielders in the squad, you would expect him to retain his place in the starting 11.
Daniel James
The Swansea City youngster was excellent in the Championship last season, putting in numerous man-of-the-match displays.
Then – in his first appearance for Wales – he netted the winner against Slovakia, announcing himself on the big stage.
The pace which James possesses is a major threat to any defence, and will surely be one of Wales’ main weapons which they will look to call upon in Osijek.
David Brooks
After a breakthrough season on the south coast with AFC Bournemouth, David Brooks will be looking to try and replicate his Premier League performances on the international stage for Wales.
The 21-year-old has shown glimpses of what he is really capable of in his 10 appearances to date, and should see this campaign as a real opportunity to establish himself in the big time.
Playing in the attacking third with Gareth Bale will do him no harm, and he could well have a say in how Saturday’s game is decided.
Gareth Bale
Not too much controversy surrounding this selection. Despite all the talk that has surrounded his potential exit from Real Madrid, Gareth Bale will always be a player that picks himself when it comes to Wales selection.
A talismanic figure for his country, Bale was responsible for winning games single-handedly in the previous European qualifying campaign, and Wales will hope that he can perform somewhere near to that standard this time around.
The 29-year-old was uncharacteristically quiet in the game against Slovakia, something which Wales cannot afford when it comes to facing quality opposition like Croatia.
(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell)
