I think we should have played ernshaw right from the start, blake didn't cut it tonight - Rhys Jones


Well then fellow-committed ones, where are we now? I find this morning a strange place- to see the lads go down after playing a measured and controlled game is new territory for Wales, certainly in my life-time [I'm 40]. I suppose that's just football isn't it?

I thought Gab was immense in the centre and the whole defence v solid. Sadly, I don't think that Nathan Blake can play the holding role- his strength is ball to feet. I thought the switch around up front involving Giggsy when Earnie came on was a revelation and it did bring the chances that, on another night, would have seen point/s in the bag!- damn that centre-half- just how long were his legs??? Maybe if we have the same issues again, we could start with that formation and line-up and keep NB on the bench for the late spectacular substitution??

Dissappointingly, I felt that Sav didn't really play last night - I think he had his mind on being in Milan- and that's a shame- now, we're quite likely to go into the Finland game with a couple missing beacuase of cards I think they just might pick up in a fortnight!! 

So, where are we? My calculator tells me that because of our healthy goal difference, a play off place will be guaranteed by a home win over Finland, regardless of other games, unless we get totally creamed in Milan and splattered by Serbia at home- and I think we'd all have taken that a year ago!! Am I right in this?

Elsewise, as was said on "Extra time" last night, there's a lot of football to play in this group yet...who knows what might happen in Milan?- I certainly think we'll score if Big John is back- not as I think he'll score himself neccessarily but because it'll restore the favoured system and, regardless of who Italy can field, they miss Maldini terribly at the back!! Also, Italy have to get 3 points in Belgrade yet and, although I don't think Serbia are great, they DID get a draw in Italy didn't they?

So, chin-up everyone, we're still doing pretty damn well- tight and respectible in Milan and on-fire against the Fins- that'll do it!!- Also, BIG respect to the fans who travelled to Belgrade- a credit to themselves, the team and Wales- especially the hogia of the Gol charity!! The whole Welsh ffwti scence continues to get bigger and bigger doesn't it!!

Ha'i iddi hogia!! - Meic Pierce Owen [no rel to Gwyn]


I felt we were unlucky tonight and reckon if we had hartson we wouldve walked all over em. also delaney played class - Gaz Martin

Yes the result - losing to a truly awful team was - bad enough but worse was the disgusting racist abuse by home supporters of our black players!

I thought uefa had made it clear that this was unacceptable after similar things happened when england played in slovakia last year?

The Welsh FA must complain to uefa and if countires like serbia cant control their racist supporters they should be kicked out of international football!

As for Wales well looks like it'll be Holland or someone like that in the playoffs for us, and expect we'll go out on penalties or something heartbreaking like that!

As a follower of the welsh national team for 30 years and having lived through the nitemare's of Scotland (twice), East german referees and Romania i feel moved to ask is there are a "curse" on us? Can any one team have so much bad luck - even their goal last nite was a foul! - Leigh Richards


Nathan Blake Should have come off at half time,he done nothing,he was sluggish and had no chance against the Serb' lad who was marking him.Robert Earnshaw should have had the whole of the second half to play,not just the last 15 minutes....Just look at the difference when we brought him on.Gutted...! - Darran Pritchard


I thought the performance wasn`t too bad but we really needed an outlet and Nathan Blake couldn`t provide it - Aled

With hindsight trying to get blake to do hartsons job, was a mistake. it may have been better adopting a different game plan. still, gabbidon was suberb, and earnshaw clearly showed his ability when he came on. It does feel weird today, getting a ribbing at work from the English was quite a shock to the system. i also have the same feeling of uncertainty about the next three games as i did when the score was 1-1 against italy. Still it turned out well that night, and as long as the team keep showing the same level of commitment as they have been, Portugal will be no problem. Onwards and upwards!!! - Big D

I would like to comment on the following post first: - Leigh Richards
"Yes the result - losing to a truly awful team was - bad enough but worse was the disgusting racist abuse by home supporters of our black players! I thought uefa had made it clear that this was unacceptable after similar things happened when england played in slovakia last year? The Welsh FA must complain to uefa and if countires like serbia cant control their racist supporters they should be kicked out of international football! As for Wales well looks like it'll be Holland or someone like that in the playoffs for us, and expect we'll go out on penalties or something heartbreaking like that! 

First off all if u are follower of Welsh or any other national team u would not expect anything more from the match against Serbia (hope yes). Wels was always underdog in matches against Serbia (former Yugoslavia) and it will remain so for at least another decade (later who knows). So when u said "lossing to a truly awful team" i didnt quite understand what were u judging Serbia by. Maybe by last two games we played against Finns and Azeris? Those were accidents and they happen to every footbal nation. Result of this last game was realistic although bit dissipointing for me. It shows me that we (Serbia) are not yet back on our feet after upsets in last two games. But as soon as Italy arrives to Belgrade and rematch in Cardif comes ull be given another chance to see who's who in footbal. Hopefully ull be watching the game more closely because judging by ur comments it seems to me that u didnt even watch Belgrade game. As far as "racist" provocations went i didnt hear any of t!
hem and if there was some they were done by small number of no life huligans. It is hard to keep the eyes on all of them. At least u british should know that. As far as game in Milan goes ill be cheering for Wels, because if Italy dont win that one u can be sure that we will be the one finishing on second place. If they do win it then u guys better not wait for last game in Cardif (when we come)to secure ur spot. Good luck in Italy from Belgrade. - Dejan


This game was a classic example of the far more skilled and superior team, "Serbia" dominating and unlucky not to win by 3-4 goals. The only reason the team hasn`t fared well is because of the former coach, Savicevic favoring the older players he was loyal too. Look out, Serbia will win both there remaining games and edge out Italy or Wales for second place in the group. All depends on the Wales result in Italy, which I don`t have much faith in Wales to even get a point, let alone score a goal. I truly hope they do, I and the rest of Serb supporters will be hoping for a miracle. Anyways, I am quite surprised to see how Wales has become somewhat of a threat in the world soccer scene. I wish them continued success,however, not when it comes against my Serbia team. - Peter Dorotich

I'm beginning to think whether the defeat may yet turn out to be a blessing in disguise. S&M will now go in to their home match with Italy with a bit of confidence. They really have to win that game to have any hope of qualifying and if they take points off Italy, then it's good news for us irrespective of the outcome of our game against Italy. - Alun