Gemma Grainger names squad for crucial Nations League games
CARDIFF, WALES - 26 SEPTEMBER 2023: Wales Women's National Team Manager Gemma Grainger during the UEFA Women’s Nations League fixture between Wales Women & Denmark Women on the 26th of September at the Cardiff City Stadium (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Gemma Grainger has named her squad for Wales’ final Nations League games against Iceland and Germany.
Grainger has elected to make two changes from the last squad that played away to the Germans and Denmark.
Alice Griffiths and Morgan Rogers return to the senior squad, but there are no places for Megan Wynne and Josie Longhurst.
The name that will leap off the page, however, is that of Rachel Rowe. Rowe had to fly home from the last camp due to injury, but has made a full recovery, and the manager welcomes her return.
“It’s great to have Rachel back in the squad with us. We want to go into the final camp of the year in a really strong position in terms of performances, so to have Rachel back is brilliant.
“Seeing her play get player of the match last weekend with Rangers. She’s coming into some great form and hopefully she can bring that form into camp.”
Also in the squad are Ceri Holland and Hannah Cain, both of whom didn’t feature in the game against Denmark due to injury.
It’s fair to argue that Cain is in the form of her life at Leicester, where she seemingly pops up with a goal contribution every weekend.
She isn’t the only forward thriving at club level. Elise Hughes is the Championship top scorer with eleven goals, with Kayleigh Green not far behind her on six.
There has been a lack of goals in this Nations League campaign, but Grainger is delighted to have in form players heading into camp.
“At this level, you’re not looking to score three, four, five goals a game, but what we do want to do is have players who are in form. To see those players scoring in their domestic leagues is brilliant.
“To see Hannah performing at the level that she is fantastic, it’s encouraging. The players have got to develop those habits at every level, so that when they do come into camp and play at the highest level that they are able to execute.
“To see them doing that week in and week out is a real positive for me.”
Grainger will need all her forwards firing on all cylinders next week, as they prepare for a crunch game against Iceland next Friday.
If Wales win by two clear goals, they will leapfrog their Nordic rivals into third place and take a big step in staying in League A.
Grainger has said throughout this campaign that there isn’t pressure on the players, but there seemed to be a shift when talking about the importance of the Iceland game, liking it to a playoff.
“For us it’s an ideal situation for us against Iceland, because in a way it’s like a playoff game, we want to experience these games.
“We know the final game of the Nations League is still to be played after that Iceland game, but we’re very clear about what we need to do in that game, which is to win by two clear goals.
“That means we need to go out and put in a performance. We felt our best performances came away at Iceland in September, in terms of our domination, but we were disappointed not to score.
“They’re a very good team who are well organised, but one thing we will have is a plan to make sure we have opportunities and to put ourselves in the best position.
“The pressure for us is what we want, the playoff game environment is what we want. We relish the pressure and we’re looking forward to it.”
This campaign has seen Grainger receive some criticism from some fans over her tactics and the team’s performances.
Grainger welcomes the criticism, but insists her team is on the right path to qualify for a major tournament.
“Criticism is part of the job. I think it’s healthy for people to have opinions, and from my perspective, everyone should have an opinion.
“We in this team, we very much stay focused on that long term vision. Do I think we’re on track? Yes, I do. Do the players think they’re on track? Yes, they do.
“If you look at the performances and you know football and your opinion is based on that, then I’m happy with it. If they’re criticising me, then I’m quite happy with that also.
“I’m happy for people to have their opinions, but internally, we’re very happy about this Nations League.”
WALES SQUAD TO FACE ICELAND AND GERMANY
Olivia Clark (Bristol City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Laura O’Sullivan (Cardiff City Ladies)
Hayley Ladd (Manchester United), Josie Green (Leicester City), Gemma Evans (Manchester United), Alice Griffiths (Southampton), Morgan Rogers (Billericay Town), Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Charlie Estcourt (Reading), Lily Woodham (Reading), Esther Morgan (Hearts), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Anna Filbey (Crystal Palace)
Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Angharad James (Tottenham), Jess Fishlock (OL Reign), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Rachel Rowe (Rangers)
Carrie Jones (Bristol City), Kayleigh Green (Charlton Athletic), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Mary McAteer (Sunderland), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Ellen Jones (Sunderland)
