Gemma Grainger speaks on Wales Squad
PONTYCLUN, WALES - 18 MARCH 2021: Gemma Grainger takes part in a media session at the FAW’s offices ahead of her being appointed as the new Wales women national team manager. Vale resort, March 18th 2021, Wales (Pic By John Smith/FAW)
Wales manager Gemma Grainger spoke to the media after announcing her squad for the upcoming games against Slovenia and Estonia. The Slovenia game will be Wales’ 200th international and a big test as Wales look to qualify for the World Cup.
Grainger has been able to pick a full strength squad for the upcoming internationals and is boosted by having Hannah Cian back from injury.
“Really pleased to be able to pick a full strength squad. That’s been our priority to make sure that we’ve got players available because we know we’ve got a great foundation. Hannah Cian is in the squad again and she’s recovered from the foot injury that kept you out of the September camp. We’re looking forward to welcoming Hannah into the team, as well as Bethan Roberts and Maria Francis Jones.
“Both are with our under 19’s, which is still part of that longer term plan so it’s really nice to be able to have the senior camp and the 19’s and 17’s at the same time as us. So you know, from a whole pathway approach it’s a really exciting couple of weeks coming up”
Both Jess Fishlock and Angharad James have been excelling in the NWSL for OL Reign and North Carolina Courage. Grainger is pleased with the performances of both as well as Sophie Ingle at Chelsea.
“Yeah, it’s so nice to see you know, but with a with a quick turnaround in between camps. And you know, there was three weeks between this camp and the next camp. So looking at their schedules, and me getting out to see them play has been my number one priority. It’s so nice to see Jess and Haz having an impact and having the impact they’re having.
“And then you know, last night you got Sophie playing Juventus, and then you’ve got the Conti Cup games going on in England.
“I’m actually going to head up to the Durham this evening to watch the Manchester United, Durham game to see Carrie and Haley.
“It’s been a it’s been a hectic three weeks, but what’s really nice is that our girls are represented in so many different ways. And yeah, touchwood at the moment, everyone is good.”
Two wins in the last International camp for Wales beating Kazakhstan and Estonia. Grainger is pleased with the way the team is taking to the new possession style of play.
“Yeah, we feel really happy about September, the Kazakhstan game was a real opportunity for the girls to express themselves, and to show really the style of play that we want to implement from an in possession point of view.
“We know the foundations of this team, they work hard defensively, really hard to beat. But that development of the in possession style of play. It was a real good opportunity for the girls to show that against Kazakhstan. I actually thought against Estonia, from a performance point of view, we got over 700 passes in that game, we created 25 chances.
“Now of course, we want to finish more of those chances. But for me, if I’m coming after that game, and we’ve created three chances, I’m thinking we’re not doing well. But to create 25 chances, and over 700 passes is absolutely in a game is incredible.
“We’re talking about a team who are on the ball for 80% of the time. So the result didn’t really reflect the performance for me. But having watched the game back a number of times, we’re really looking forward to building that in possession play.
“It’s gonna take time, a lot of the girls were really, they were quite frustrated after the Estonia game. But that’s the feeling that we want from the players. Because it shows that we want to be better and that’s the mentality that we’re, we’re breeding, within the team.”
Wales will travel to Slovenia on Friday 22nd October before hosting Estonia at Cardiff City Stadium on the 26th.
