Ex-Rovers at the World Cup

[Chris Black come back]

I think there are only two this time - Seny Dieng for Senegal and Matt Smith v1 for Wales.

Dieng has started a few games for Senegal in the last year or so and has been given squad number 1 but Senegal seem to more recently start with Alfred Gomis of Rennes in net, and the other keeper in their squad is Édouard Mendy of Chelsea, so not sure how much game time he will get. Dieng last played for Senegal in a friendly against Iran in September.

I was surprised to see Matt Smith v1 play in most of the Nations League games for Wales back in June, including starting against Poland, Netherlands and Belgium. Think Wales had a second string for some of these games though. Hope he gets some minutes on the pitch in Qatar. Thought he was a great player for us.

[NickDRFC]

Mendy’s been injured, I’ll be absolutely shocked if he isn’t playing for Senegal. Had no idea that Dieng was in the squad though, good to see.

Smith will get some game time but I don’t think he’ll start either.

[Chris Black come back]

It's quite interesting looking through the squads. If you take say the top five betting favourites to win - Brazil, Argentina, France, England and Spain, it is striking how many of the players in the squads play overseas (and these all have major domestic leagues) with the glaring exception of England.

Brazil have 23 of their 26 playing abroad, Argentina have 25 of their 26 playing abroad, France have 20 of their 26 playing abroad and Spain have 8 of their 26 playing abroad....and England...we have 1 single player in our 26 playing abroad.

Obviously the strength of the Premier League means this is not especially surprising but it does mean all our squad are used to playing in what is a good but not technically superior league. I guess on the flip side it makes getting a squad together a lot easier than flying people across the planet, and having all players on same playing schedule.

[VivaRovers]

I was surprised to see Matt Smith v1 play in most of the Nations League games for Wales back in June, including starting against Poland, Netherlands and Belgium...

He only started those games really owing to Wales resting players ahead of the crunch Ukraine play-off, and then resting players (i.e. we celebrated too much) after the Ukraine play-off, and then a number of sqaud absentees (chiefly Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey in September.

When everyone is fit, he's probably joint fifth on preferred central midfielders, after Ramsey, Allen, Ethan Ampadu (although he often ends up playing at centre back) and Joe Morrell, and on a par with Johnny Williams and Dylan Levitt. He's always been very solid for Wales, but to be honest if Smith features in the World Cup I'll be either surprised or concerned (as it'll mean we've lost a lot of players). 

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Good luck to them both and I hope they get a chance to represent their countries on the world stage at some point.

[Chris Black come back]

Édouard Mendy started for Senegal tonight, and conceded twice. While Seny Dieng didn’t make an appearance, Bamba Dieng of Marseilles came on up front in the 69th minute.

Matt Smith v1 didn’t make it off the bench for Wales tonight.

[Branton Rover]

Have been watching the Under the Cosh boys on YouTube & the small bearded Chris Brown actually got into the England game without a ticket - I urge you to watch the shenanigans. Apparently the numbers in attendance were 1700 above the actual stadium capacity.

[Branton Red]

Édouard Mendy started for Senegal tonight, and conceded twice. While Seny Dieng didn’t make an appearance, Bamba Dieng of Marseilles came on up front in the 69th minute.

Matt Smith v1 didn’t make it off the bench for Wales tonight.

He was very poor for both the goals too so maybe Dieng will get a chance.

[Thorney]

I was surprised to see Matt Smith v1 play in most of the Nations League games for Wales back in June, including starting against Poland, Netherlands and Belgium...

He only started those games really owing to Wales resting players ahead of the crunch Ukraine play-off, and then resting players (i.e. we celebrated too much) after the Ukraine play-off, and then a number of sqaud absentees (chiefly Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey in September.

When everyone is fit, he's probably joint fifth on preferred central midfielders, after Ramsey, Allen, Ethan Ampadu (although he often ends up playing at centre back) and Joe Morrell, and on a par with Johnny Williams and Dylan Levitt. He's always been very solid for Wales, but to be honest if Smith features in the World Cup I'll be either surprised or concerned (as it'll mean we've lost a lot of players).

Personally I enjoy watching Harry Wilson when he drops into the centre of midfield and can get on the ball more than where he was asked to play last night.
He played really well in the nations league in the last few games. Perfect replacement for Ramsey.

[StocktonRover]

I just spotted that El Hadji Diouf is a coach for Senegal out in Qatar.