Twenty six men with the expectation of Wales on their shoulders
Monday, 7th Nov 2022 17:20 by Swansea Independent

Rob Page will select his twenty six man squad and announce the players he believes can guide the country to some form of success at this years World Cup this week. Page’s home town of Tylerstown, Rhondda Cynon Taf is the venue this coming Wednesday for the squad announcement. It will be broadcast live on BBC One Wales and S4C from 6.30pm. We will also announce the squad LIVE here on Swansea Independent.

There are expected player announcements ( if fit ) including, but not definitive in Joe Allen, Connor Roberts, Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Rodon, Wayne Hennessy, Danny Ward, Kieffer Moore and Dan James currently at Fulham, and they will almost certainly be a part of the squad. Chris Gunter and John Williams both plying their trade in league two will split the Cymru fan base, some for sentimental reasons will want them included. Gunter is more than likely another obvious pick, but what he and Williams can contribute is another discussion in itself.

The last Cymru manager to select a squad for the World Cup was Jimmy Murphy in 1958.

If we were to say Swansea City’s Ollie Cooper is in with a shout some would argue it’s too early, but set against other midfield contenders he isn’t. Matt Smith of MK Dons and John Williams clearly not in his league performance or form wise this season. To that end Cooper was watched again on Saturday, not only by Cymru staff but five other clubs, two from the championship, the remainder from the premier league.

As you would expect Swansea Independent will carry daily news stories on the Cymru squad after the final league games this week including reports from the squad camp gathering at the Vale early next week.