In a desperate attempt to revive the fortunes of the Welsh national team, manager Chris Coleman has decided to take the surprising turn in changing his captain.
Swansea City defender Ashley Williams will take over the armband for the country’s next two World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Croatia.
He will succeed Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey after the 21-year-old couldn’t inspire Wales to any success in Coleman’s first four games in charge as national boss.
Feeling the pressure
In a press conference on unveiling his squad for the upcoming two fixtures, Coleman said: “I think he has felt the pressure of it (all).
“We need to go in another direction because what we have been doing has not been working. I wanted to make some changes and that was the biggest one really.
“It was not an easy decision. Of course he (Ramsey) was disappointed. I spoke to him yesterday and he was incredibly mature about it – and a little bit relieved, if I’m honest, because it is a big pressure.”
Ramsey, who scored Arsenal’s third goal in their Champions League triumph on Wednesday night against Olympiakos, has won 24 caps for his country since making his debut against Denmark in November 2008.
He was appointed skipper by the late Gary Speed in March 2011 and led a brief Welsh revival, which included a friendly thumping of Norway and Euro 2012 qualifying wins against Bulgaria and Montenegro.
However, Speed’s sudden death in November 2011 has taken all the momentum away from the side and under former Fulham and Coventry boss Coleman, they are yet to win a match.
This included a humiliating 6-1 qualifying loss to Serbia in Belgrade last month.
A capable replacement
Williams (pictured) is a capable replacement and has skippered the side on four previous occasions. Having said that, Wales did lose three of these internationals he was the leader.
However, the centre back that used to work at Drayton Manor theme park before making the big time has been a solid presence in the Swansea City side since it reached the Premier League in 2011.
Coleman backs his decision, saying: “Ashley will be the skipper. He is a natural leader. He is a very good player who has great experience.”
After defeats to Belgium and Serbia, Wales will be desperate for positive results in Group One next week.
They host the Scots next Friday, before travelling to Croatia four days later.
WALES SQUAD TO FACE SCOTLAND AND CROATIA
Goalkeepers: Jason Brown (Aberdeen), Lewis Price (Crystal Palace), Owain Fon Williams (Tranmere Rovers)
Defenders: Ashley Williams (Swansea City – CAPTAIN), Chris Gunter (Reading), Sam Ricketts (Bolton Wanderers), Adam Matthews (Celtic), Darcy Blake (Crystal Palace), Joel Lynch (Huddersfield Town), Ben Davies (Swansea City)
Midfielders: Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Ledley (Celtic), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Joe Allen (Liverpool), David Vaughan (Sunderland), David Edwards (Wolves), Andy King (Leicester City)
Attackers: Steve Morison (Norwich City), Sam Vokes (Burnley), Simon Church (Reading), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading)
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
Nice Article! Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteScott Robarge