Serbia 6 - 1 Wales

Arkay v2.0 wrote:Serbia are a good side, no doubt, but their recent record was fairly poor and some bookies were even favouring Wales for a cheeky win. While we have always lacked strength in depth there's no doubt there are some very talented individuals within the side playing at a decent level.

Playing to our potential we should be able to give any side a competitive game (see England last year and previous results in time against Italy, Germany, Spain as well as wins against middling nations such as Finland, Norway, Scotland etc). Admittedly, there were a few absentees last night but by all accounts the abject capitulation of the team was way below acceptable.

While we will never be favourites to win any qualifying group I don't think it's unreasonable for us to expect to at least be challenging for a play off spot. It would require us to have minimal injuries and play at our best in every game but can anybody, honestly say they see Chris Coleman as being the man to produce that kind of form out of this team? There's no doubt that Gary Speed may have found the fixture equally as difficult but there is also no doubt that he had a vision, a style of play and had made the team competitive - the latter being the least thing us fans expect from the National Team.

I'm all for giving managers a chance but I really am struggling to see on what basis for success was he ever given the job in the first place and how five very poor performances (including one hammering) is a foundation for building future success. What positives are there to take from these games? The only possible glimmer of hope for me right now is that it can't get any worse...

...can it?

NN2Red2 wrote:

Arkay v2.0 wrote:Serbia are a good side, no doubt, but their recent record was fairly poor and some bookies were even favouring Wales for a cheeky win. While we have always lacked strength in depth there's no doubt there are some very talented individuals within the side playing at a decent level.

Playing to our potential we should be able to give any side a competitive game (see England last year and previous results in time against Italy, Germany, Spain as well as wins against middling nations such as Finland, Norway, Scotland etc). Admittedly, there were a few absentees last night but by all accounts the abject capitulation of the team was way below acceptable.

While we will never be favourites to win any qualifying group I don't think it's unreasonable for us to expect to at least be challenging for a play off spot. It would require us to have minimal injuries and play at our best in every game but can anybody, honestly say they see Chris Coleman as being the man to produce that kind of form out of this team? There's no doubt that Gary Speed may have found the fixture equally as difficult but there is also no doubt that he had a vision, a style of play and had made the team competitive - the latter being the least thing us fans expect from the National Team.

I'm all for giving managers a chance but I really am struggling to see on what basis for success was he ever given the job in the first place and how five very poor performances (including one hammering) is a foundation for building future success. What positives are there to take from these games? The only possible glimmer of hope for me right now is that it can't get any worse...

...can it?

Kenny Miller wearing a big smile!

(He knows the ground even if the nets are not close friends )