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Wales talking points for Turkey: Replacing Moore and choosing a goalkeeper
Wales talking points for Turkey: Replacing Moore and choosing a goalkeeper
Wales are back in Euro 2024 qualifying action away to Turkey on Monday. Rob Page’s side are bidding to recover from their shock home defeat to Armenia on Friday against the Group D leaders. Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the crunch game in Samsun. Page must strike right balance This time last year Wales boss Page was basking in the glow of guiding Wales to their first World Cup for 64 years. How times have changed. Wales have won only once in 11 games and Page’s tactics have come under intense scrutiny. Reverting to three at the back and playing two holding midfielders in front of them might provide Wales with the solidity they have so woefully lacked over the past 12 months. Counter-attack best form of defence There is no Kieffer Moore after the Bournemouth targetman was sent off against Armenia to earn a ban. Moore’s absence might actually work in Wales’ favour in this instance should Page bolster his defence and pack the midfield. That could give Wales a strong base to release the pace of Brennan Johnson and Daniel James on the break. Should Danny ward off Wayne? Danny Ward’s miserable season suffered further indignity as four goals flashed past him in Armenia’s stunning Cardiff success. Ward’s struggle for form at relegated Leicester saw him lose his place there towards the end of the season and his confidence levels must be a real concern for Page. Wayne Hennessey is the obvious replacement but the 108-times capped veteran – sent off on his last appearance at the World Cup in Qatar – has spent most of the season warming the bench at Nottingham Forest. Revenge or repeat? The two nations have met seven times with Wales winning four games to Turkey’s two and one draw. Their last meeting came two years ago as Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts scored in a 2-0 Wales victory at the delayed 2020 European Championship, securing qualification for the knockout stage at Turkey’s expense. So Turkey have that extra motivation of avenging that Baku defeat in front of what is sure to be a volatile crowd at the Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium. Balance of power This contest has the appearance of a defining fixture to make next summer’s European Championship finals in Germany. Wales’ promising start with four points from two games, which included a bonus draw away to group favourites Croatia, was blown apart by the Armenia defeat. Turkey are now on the front foot after grabbing a stoppage-time winner to beat Latvia 3-2 on Friday, and victory would take them five points clear of Wales in a potential race behind Croatia for the second qualifying spot. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A great experience – Doug Watson relishing chance to guide Scotland to World Cup On this day in 2019: Eoin Morgan hits record number of sixes in ODI innings US Open Wrap: Rickie Fowler nails 70 foot putt, shares lead with Wyndham Clark
2023-06-18 17:41
Casemiro reveals what makes him happiest on a football pitch
Casemiro reveals what makes him happiest on a football pitch
Casemiro what makes him happiest on a football pitch after scoring seven times in debut season for Manchester United.
2023-06-18 17:20
Chelsea closing in on Nicolas Jackson agreement with Villarreal
Chelsea closing in on Nicolas Jackson agreement with Villarreal
Chelsea are close to striking a deal to sign Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson.
2023-06-18 17:20
UEFA president Čeferin dismisses idea of threat to European soccer from big-spending Saudis
UEFA president Čeferin dismisses idea of threat to European soccer from big-spending Saudis
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin says European soccer should not be afraid of a player exodus to Saudi Arabian clubs
2023-06-18 17:10
Federico Valverde offers firm response to Chelsea & Liverpool interest
Federico Valverde offers firm response to Chelsea & Liverpool interest
Federico Valverde has put rumours of a move away from Real Madrid to bed.
2023-06-18 16:45
Football transfer rumours: Man Utd prepare Pickford bid; Arteta rejects PSG
Football transfer rumours: Man Utd prepare Pickford bid; Arteta rejects PSG
Sunday's football transfer rumours, with updates on Jordan Pickford, Nicolo Barella, Mikel Arteta & more.
2023-06-18 16:20
Vegas Golden Knights and fans celebrate 1st NHL championship with parade and rally
Vegas Golden Knights and fans celebrate 1st NHL championship with parade and rally
Vegas Golden Knights fans lined the Las Vegas Strip for a Stanley Cup victory parade and a rally in front of their home arena to mark the team’s first NHL championship
2023-06-18 13:51
Bob Brown, Hall of Fame offensive lineman in pro and collegiate football, dies at 81
Bob Brown, Hall of Fame offensive lineman in pro and collegiate football, dies at 81
Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bob Brown, known for his aggressive and intimidating style of play in the 1960s and early 70s, died on Friday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced.
2023-06-18 13:51
Giants' 15-0 rout of slumping LA matches worst home shutout loss in Dodgers' history
Giants' 15-0 rout of slumping LA matches worst home shutout loss in Dodgers' history
LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a three-run homer, J
2023-06-18 13:08
McCarthy hits the go-ahead homer, D-backs use 3 long balls in the 8th to beat the Guardians 6-3
McCarthy hits the go-ahead homer, D-backs use 3 long balls in the 8th to beat the Guardians 6-3
Jake McCarthy hit a go-ahead homer leading off the eighth, Corbin Carroll added a two-run shot three batters later and the Arizona Diamondbacks launched three long balls in the inning to beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-3
2023-06-18 12:59
US Open co-leader Clark blasts 'twilight golf'
US Open co-leader Clark blasts 'twilight golf'
Wyndham Clark said he was operating on feel as he drained a six-foot birdie putt at 18 on Saturday to seize a share of the US Open lead...
2023-06-18 12:47
Marlins vs. Nationals prediction and odds for Sunday, June 18 (Miami crushes lefties)
Marlins vs. Nationals prediction and odds for Sunday, June 18 (Miami crushes lefties)
The Miami Marlins have been one of the bigger surprises in the 2023 season, sitting in second place in the National League East.They take on a division rival, the Washington Nationals, on Sunday afternoon with two southpaws on the bump.Patrick Corbin (4-7, 4.81 ERA) is on the mound for the N...
2023-06-18 12:30
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