'Handbrake off' for Wales v England

'Handbrake off' for Wales v England


Chris Mepham says the handbrake is off for Wales ahead of their final group stage clash with neighbours England.

Rob Page's side need to secure victory against Gareth Southgate's outfit to stand any chance of progressing into the last-16 of the competition.

And having claimed just one point from their opening two fixtures against the USA and Iran, Mepham says Wales have no option but to "go for it" when they lock horns with current Group B leaders England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

"The handbrake is off now, we need to go for it," said the defender. "We've nothing to lose and sometimes that's quite dangerous for other teams, when you've nothing to lose, a wounded animal. We have to take the handbrake off and go for it against England.

"If there's every a game the group will be motivated for, it'd be that one. We've shown in the past against quality teams, we can match them. We need to dig deep against England, they're a top side."

Brennan Johnson added: "It's going to take a win against them for us to have a chance. We don't know what's going to happen, but we do know that all the boys are going to give it everything they've got.

"It's definitely possible we can beat them. It's going to take a huge effort but it's something we are ready for."

Pyschologically I dont think we have it in us to beat England, maybe defeatist to say it - but the players look physically shot, out of their depth and lacking in any sort of self belief.
All the huff about the red mist from Sheen - sounds great - but when you pair it back to the actual facts, we have choked at the world cup. Hope im wrong but we seem a bit lost

Certainly not with Page has our manager!!

Pyschologically I dont think we have it in us to beat England, maybe defeatist to say it - but the players look physically shot, out of their depth and lacking in any sort of self belief.
All the huff about the red mist from Sheen - sounds great - but when you pair it back to the actual facts, we have choked at the world cup. Hope im wrong but we seem a bit lost

Sadly that’s my feeling too . I attended both games , we ground it out second half v US and I thought it was a decent result . It’s the Iran game that has killed us , most players off the pace and page out of his depth tactically in my view . Can’t be too critical as we’re a very small country and have done great to get there but still hugely disappointing.

Seemingly a tournament too far for our big guns , very similar to some other countries though , albeit most others have more strength in depth