Wales Now vs. 2016 Squad...

Just on the back end of international duty, and wondered how far we are from the 2016 semi-final team or our 'golden generation'.

Team vs. Belgium 01/07/2016 (Peaked at 8th in FIFA Rankings)

3-5-1-1
GK: Hennessey
RCB: Chester
CB: A.Williams
LCB: B.Davies
RWB: Gunter
LWB: N.Taylor
RCM: Allen
LCM: Ramsey
CM: Ledley
CAM: Bale
ST: Robson-Kanu-Cruyff

Team vs. Belgium 13/10/2025 (Currently 31st in FIFA Rankings)

5-4-1
GK: Darlow
RCB: Cabango
CB: Rodon
LCB: B.Davies
RWB: S.Thomas
LWB: N.Williams
RM: Wilson
CM: Ampadu
CM: James
LM: Brooks
ST: Harris


I'd put in an argument that not 1 of those that started on Monday would get into that semi final 11, excluding Ben Davies who actually played for both. The strongest argument I'd have, is for Harry Wilson but would you take out Bale or Ramsey who were the more attacking in that area; not a chance.

2106's Bench also had, which you could put in a valid argument that they'd all get into Mondays team, or at least strengthen the squad....

Andy King
Sam Vokes
James Collins
David Edwards
Jonny Williams
Danny Ward
David Vaughan

My point being, is we're significantly weaker than that golden age (in my opinion of course). I think this squad are slightly over achieving and could have easily had a 'Bale hangover' run of shocking results and performances. Remember - we won our Nations league group undefeated in 6; including an Iceland team that's just drew with France.
Simon Church

I think Ampadu for Ledley maybe. Rodon for Chester. Neco for Taylor.

I’m not sure it was a 541 we played Monday was it?

How spoilt were we to have Bale.

I think Ampadu for Ledley maybe. Rodon for Chester. Neco for Taylor.

I’m not sure it was a 541 we played Monday was it?

How spoilt were we to have Bale.

Fair. I think I'd swap all of those at club level. For Wales, Ledley, Chester and Taylor were different animals. I wouldn't swap myself.

I just stole the formation off somewhere else. We definitely banked the front 10 in 2 blocks for a chunk of the first half. Shape changed a bit in the 2nd.

Bale is the greatest British footballer of all time for me, and probably would have a Balon D'or in this generation of players. He really showed up aswell for us. What a player.

Agreed, wouldn't put any of the current players in that team.

Obviously we have the superstars of Bale and a peak Ramsey.

But players like Williams, Chester, Taylor, Allen etc all stepped up. The whole team played as good as (if not better) for Wales as they did in their club team.

That's not the case now. Brennan Johnson for example does well for Spurs but tends to go missing for Wales.

Brennan Johnson is an excellent example. Its just not working for him at international level, is it?

Reenforces what I've said on 2 other threads.

Some people act like we're still #8 in the world rankings rather than #31, we've beaten the teams below us & lost to teams above us as you would expect. I mean people still talk about our win over Belgium & how great we were that day & will do so for years to come, as they should, and any Welsh supporter who watched us that day either on tv or actually there will remember it forever.

We need to stick with Bellamy & let him build the team the way he sees it for the foreseeable future.

Reenforces what I've said on 2 other threads.

Some people act like we're still #8 in the world rankings rather than #31, we've beaten the teams below us & lost to teams above us as you would expect. I mean people still talk about our win over Belgium & how great we were that day & will do so for years to come, as they should, and any Welsh supporter who watched us that day either on tv or actually there will remember it forever.

We need to stick with Bellamy & let him build the team the way he sees it for the foreseeable future.

Completely off topic, but is there going to be world cup games close to you in CA? Will you try and get to any?

Reenforces what I've said on 2 other threads.

Some people act like we're still #8 in the world rankings rather than #31, we've beaten the teams below us & lost to teams above us as you would expect. I mean people still talk about our win over Belgium & how great we were that day & will do so for years to come, as they should, and any Welsh supporter who watched us that day either on tv or actually there will remember it forever.

We need to stick with Bellamy & let him build the team the way he sees it for the foreseeable future.

Completely off topic, but is there going to be world cup games close to you in CA? Will you try and get to any?

I'm about an hour away from San Francisco depending on traffic and unless Wales are playing there or maybe LA I won't even bother trying to go to any other games at the prices they're asking. But if the orange one has his way there won't be any in California anyway.

What about the team which played in World Cup ? Same names as 2016 but they were crap

What about the team which played in World Cup ? Same names as 2016 but they were crap

The starting line up for our first game at Euro 2016 against Slovakia was:


D Ward
J Chester
A Williams
B Davies
C Gunter
D Edwards
J Allen
N Taylor
J Williams
G Bale
A Ramsey


The starting line-up for our first game at the 2022 World Cup against USA was:

W Hennessey
C Mepham
J Rodon
B Davies
C Roberts
A Ramsey
E Ampadu
H Wilson
N Williams
G Bale
D James



So there were only three that started the first game of both tournaments - Bale, Ramsey and Davies.

What about the team which played in World Cup ? Same names as 2016 but they were crap

The starting line up for our first game at Euro 2016 against Slovakia was:


D Ward
J Chester
A Williams
B Davies
C Gunter
D Edwards
J Allen
N Taylor
J Williams
G Bale
A Ramsey


The starting line-up for our first game at the 2022 World Cup against USA was:

W Hennessey
C Mepham
J Rodon
B Davies
C Roberts
A Ramsey
E Ampadu
H Wilson
N Williams
G Bale
D James



So there were only three that started the first game of both tournaments - Bale, Ramsey and Davies.

And you have to take into account Bale and Ramsey were on their last legs.