This isn't the biggest weekend in Wales's history at all despite what people are saying
Phil, you talk about it in your story. But you actually cheapen our history.
1976 = Ninian Park - Wales V Yugoslavia in Euro Championships Quarter-Finals - FACT - Not quite 40 years of failure really is it? It's not really hopes of 40 years being lifted?
1977 - lost last WC qualifier to Scotland
1981 - Defeat in last two games means non qualification for WC
1983 - 1-1 draw at Ninian Park against Yugoslavia in final game means non-qualification for EC at their expense
1985 - A draw in final game against Scotland at Ninian Park means non-qualification for WC at their expense
1991 - Defeat in final game against Germany means non-qualification for EC at their expense
1993 - Romania!!! (at their expense)
2003 - Where we are now
That's not a bad recent history
Play-Off's came into being recently - the fact of the matter is that in 1991 & 93 we would have already have qualified - two teams in a group became the norm....since 97 Play-off's existed.
And why take the rugby team as an example? Where are they now? At home, having lost their last two games, only winning the games they were expected too! Yes, it was fun, and we all felt immensely proud, I almost gave myself a headache cheering so loud, but Wales lost the only two games that mattered...we can only really judge if we are a good side when the six nations come along, if we've built on what we've seen the last two weekend's. So, let's get a sense of perspective about everything!!
Finally, Phil says:
"We all know that our first choice eleven is amongst the Top 10 in European international sides. Maybe even in the Top 5."
Eh?Where is the evidence of that?I would say that on our day, we have a good side, capable of upsetting the best , as we have, nothing more, nothing less. Let's not fall for the rugby problem of building ourselves up and falling down because of it.
This is a big weekend, we have to get a result and I will be behind Sparky and Wales all the way...but it's no bigger than a few games in the past...but fingers crossed for a better outcome!!
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