The Swansea influence on Wales and the Euro play off this Thursday

Knock out football is with us on Thursday night when Wales take on Finland in a straight forward on the night winner takes all tie in Cardiff. (KO:7.45pm) The game is being screened LIVE and the winners progress to the final against either Poland or Estonia. That game will be held in Cardiff on Tuesday 26th Match again at 7:45pm, if Wales win …

We can see below the squad that Rob Page has picked with Liam Cullen and Ben Cabango from Swansea City included. You can also see Swans academy graduates, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies, Connor Roberts and Dan James (two years in the academy) in the selection. Rodon and Roberts are now at Leeds United as is Dan James. Ben Davies has been at Spurs for ten years and has eighty four caps for his country. Ex Swan Josh Sheehan also finds himself in the squad. The influence of Swansea City has long been a positive thumbs up for the academy, and there seems to be a few more ready to step up to the U21 and full squads.

Some of the seven ex and current Swansea players will have an influence on this game. Roberts, Rodon and Davies may well make up three of the defensive line. Dan James is in superb form in the Championship and is certain to start. Page is under pressure but that will ease drastically if he negotiates these two home games successfully. He most certainly isn’t the most popular of managers with the fans, and certain clubs too, advising their players to leave their clubs in January to get more football. On this regards goalkeeper Danny Ward (Leicester City) Page has stated, "I’ve spoken to Danny and it wasn’t a case of him not listening to my advice. When you put your player head on, you get it, I understand it. I have sympathy for Danny. When I put my manager head on, no, but with my player head on, of course I understand. When politics are involved and you’ve got a length of time left on your contract, it is not as easy as just getting out and playing games of football” Ward is included but the comment regards politics is odd. But then maybe Page has learned a lot about these ways whilst working for the Football Association of Wales ?

Wales have chosen four keepers, and not one of them has played a minute of football all season.

Lukas Hradecky, is the Finland number one, he plays for Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen. And has not lost a game all season. This won’t be easy for Wales, but two home games do give them a clear chance to get to Germany this summer. We will be carrying further news on this crucial fixture this week.

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