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Euro 2016: Wales squad as chosen by Danny Gabbidon and Iwan Roberts

By Dafydd PritchardBBC Wales Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments34

Wales players celebrate qualifying for Euro 2016 after beating Andorra in October 2015
Wales players celebrate qualifying for Euro 2016 after beating Andorra in October 2015

Wednesday marks 100 days until the start of 2016 European Championship finals, the first major tournament to include Wales since the 1958 World Cup.

Preparations are under way as Slovakia, England and Russia await in Group B, with a training base chosen in France and friendly matches arranged for March and June.

One of the most important tasks facing manager Chris Coleman between now and Wales' opening game of the competition against Slovakia in Bordeaux on 11 June is to select his 23-man squad.

Former Wales internationals Danny Gabbidon and Iwan Roberts join BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips in choosing their teams for the Slovakia match, their 23-man squads and assess the choices facing Coleman and his coaches.

Wales team v Slovakia - only one difference

Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts: (5-3-2) Hennessey; Gunter, Collins, A. Williams, Davies, Taylor; Ledley, Allen, Ramsey; Bale, Robson-Kanu.

Former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon: (5-3-2) Hennessey; Gunter, Collins, A. Williams, Davies, Taylor; Allen, Ledley, Ramsey; Bale, J Williams.

BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips: (5-3-2) Hennessey; Gunter, Collins, A. Williams, Davies, Taylor; Allen, Ledley, Ramsey; Bale, Robson-Kanu.

Mainstays

Joe Ledley
Joe Ledley scored in Wales' 3-2 friendly defeat to Netherlands in November 2015

Roberts: "It's so important we have a strong backbone to the team in the likes of Wayne Hennesey, Ashley Williams, Joe Allen, Joe Ledley and Hal Robson-Kanu - the battling and hard work these players produce will give the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale a platform to go and show their class."

Gabbidon: "There are three cogs in the Wales wheel. Captain Ashley Williams marshals the defence, Joe Ledley and Joe Allen give added protection and instigate the attacks, while Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are the match-winners."

Phillips: "Wales have x-factor in Gareth Bale, a player any other side in the finals would welcome. Ashley Williams, Wayne Hennessey and Aaron Ramsey need to be on form, too. Don't underestimate Joe Ledley - a midfielder who does the unheralded ugly stuff."

Maybes

Chris Coleman (left) with Jazz Richards
Chris Coleman (left) sprang a surprise by selecting Jazz Richards for the 1-0 win against Belgium in June 2015

Roberts: "I think the likes of Jonny and George Williams, two young and lively creative players, have done enough in the last two years to win a place in the squad. Young full-back Jazz Richards has performed admirably when called upon in four of the qualifiers - including the win over Belgium - and in my opinion should be on the plane to France."

Gabbidon: "George Williams and Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards must be among those who will have to prove themselves after time on the sidelines because of injury."

Phillips: "I tried hard to fit George Williams into the squad as searing pace is a must at international level. Birmingham attacker David Cotterill could still make it as he battles back from injury. Dave Edwards is included, but for reasons of injury may still be a 'maybe'."

Tom Lawrence
Tom Lawrence made his first Wales start in the friendly loss to Netherlands in November 2015

Outsiders

Roberts: "I don't think there will be many, if any, surprises in Chris' squad. I think it's too late for Regan Poole, Manchester United's newest debutant, to break in. The 17-year-old is definitely one for the future but but hasn't done nearly enough up to now to warrant a place in the squad.

"Tom Bradshaw has had a decent season for Walsall but, with the emergence of Tom Lawrence and after his performance against the Netherlands in our last game, Lawrence deserves to go to the Euros."

Gabbidon: "No outsiders can make the squad unless there are injuries. But if Chris Coleman is looking to give someone his 50th cap, I'm available gaffer!"

Regan Poole
Regan Poole was released by the Cardiff City academy before joining Newport

Phillips: "It comes down to two for me. Begging the pardon of Walsall fans but, had Tom Bradshaw moved to a higher club in January, he might have clinched a place. A run of goals now might still clinch him a spot as a wildcard substitute if Wales need a goal.

"Regan Poole's entry at Manchester United might have just come too late but I can't help thinking if Chris Coleman wanted to take one for the future - like England's Theo Walcott at the 2006 World Cup - Poole is the one."

Wales' 23-man squad - according to the pundits

Danny Gabbidon's Wales Euro 2016 squad
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owain Fon Williams
Defenders: Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, James Collins, Neil Taylor, Jazz Richards, Paul Dummett.
Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, Joe Allen, Joe Ledley, David Vaughan, David Edwards, Jonny Williams, George Williams.
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Hal Robson-Kanu, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence.
Iwan Roberts' Wales Euro 2016 squad
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owain Fon Williams
Defenders: Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, James Collins, Neil Taylor, Jazz Richards, Paul Dummett.
Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, Joe Allen, Joe Ledley, David Vaughan, David Edwards, Jonny Williams, George Williams.
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Hal Robson-Kanu, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence.
Rob Phillips' Wales Euro 2016 squad
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owain Fon Williams
Defenders: Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, James Collins, Neil Taylor, Jazz Richards, Paul Dummett.
Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, Joe Allen, Joe Ledley, David Vaughan, David Edwards, Jonny Williams.
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Hal Robson Kanu, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence, Simon Church.

Comments

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34 comments

  • Comment posted by rosstheboss1972, at 10:57 2 Mar 2016

    I think the squads more or less pick themselves and those players picked within it will do their very best for the country. Personally i'm more worried about key players picking up end of season injuries.

  • Comment posted by DukeLoans, at 11:26 2 Mar 2016

    Surely Boaz Myhill has better quality than Ward and Fon Williams?
    Would also take Huws as i think he'd be the 'one for the future'.

    So long as Bale, Rambo, Allen and Ash don't get injured it'll be a good time for Wales, otherwise we're stuffed.

  • Comment posted by Frightnight, at 12:50 2 Mar 2016

    6 jones 4 Williams & 1 Davies.

  • Comment posted by U16419330, at 22:47 2 Mar 2016

    I can see the welsh messi, joe allen, earning a move abroad after the euros.

    Dundalk, Bohemians or possibly Gurnsey.

  • Comment posted by U16324166, at 20:34 2 Mar 2016

    This is a good subject for all the armchair generals watching football on their tellies with a crate of beer by their feet and the TV remote control balancing on their fat bellies.

  • Comment posted by ThaiTim, at 14:32 2 Mar 2016

    Hopefully Bale can get back to fitness and have a decent run of games for Real soon.Without him,Wales have no chance.With him,then anythings possible.

  • Comment posted by U13174198, at 13:43 2 Mar 2016

    @13.maze. You exclude the dead wood and the has-been.

  • Comment posted by U16490269, at 12:35 2 Mar 2016

    I agree, Emyr Huws deserves a place. A good defensive midfielder and definitely one for the future. Dave Edwards doesn't add much to the squad so I'd make that change. Apart from that, the squad pretty much picks itself.

  • Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 11:13 2 Mar 2016

    Not being funny but it will basically be who is available in the Premier League and Championship.

    If Bale is fit and on form in the summer then they will get out of the group (hopefully not beating us along the way) and could spring a surprise in the knockout stage.

  • Comment posted by Gareth, at 12:47 2 Mar 2016

    I back calls for Emyr Huws, but for me it would be over Vaughan as long as Edwards can prove his fitness. As good a servant as he's been Vaughan's legs have gone and the idea of Europe's best midfielders passing triangles around him is painful.

    I've never been a fan of non-scoring striker Church but in fairness to him he's a man on a mission since moving to Aberdeen.

  • Comment posted by IoT91, at 11:11 2 Mar 2016

    None of them have picked Emyr Huws, I'd prefer him over David Edwards and possibly David Vaughan and Andy King.

  • Comment posted by kenny_burns_kneecap, at 16:00 3 Mar 2016

    Neville Southall.

  • Comment posted by U16468476, at 13:33 3 Mar 2016

    Looking forward to seeing how Wales do , I really like their first eleven . They should hold their own and maybe even get out the group could they be like the Greece of Euro 2004 ? . They set up similarly

  • Comment posted by U14526013, at 13:32 3 Mar 2016

    There is this player who is called Gareth Bale and I'm putting money on him to be in the team.

  • Comment posted by U16313608, at 10:56 3 Mar 2016

    Best players for years, worst manager ever

  • Comment posted by U16474719, at 10:45 3 Mar 2016

    Have Wales qualified?

  • Comment posted by DevilsAdvocate, at 00:09 3 Mar 2016

    Yes, the Euro finals are shaping up to be a borefest. Way to many average teams involved. As the past 60 years have shown, Wales should stick to rugby.

  • Comment posted by SummersIron, at 22:24 2 Mar 2016

    Dammit, 22 comments on this versus nearly 500 on the article about something that doesn't exist.
    Sadly, even I can't think of much to say at this stage, with the Euros a long way off yet. Pessimistic about our chances to say the least but it's genuinely just nice to actually be able to support someone in the Euros for the first time in my lifetime.

  • Comment posted by maze, at 13:04 2 Mar 2016

    How do you choose 23 men from the following?

    Hart, Butland, Forster, Chambers, Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Welbeck, Wilshere, Cahill, Zaha, Stones, Barkley, Baines, Jagielka, Vardy, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Clyne, Lallana, Milner, Henderson, Sterling, Delph, Carrick, Smalling, Jones, Rooney, Young, Lingard, Bertrand, Dier, Walker, Alli, Kane, Rose, Mason, Sturridge, Shelvey, Townsend,.

  • Comment posted by U15661976, at 12:36 2 Mar 2016

    5. northernwelsh
    Myhill made himself unavailable for national selection a few years ago - I bet he's kicking himself now!

    6 Sharpes Fox & 2 The Truth obviously don't kow much about football or any country outside Engurlund.

    I think we have a settled squad who are young, but have played and matured together for a long time. The team together is stronger than the sum of it's parts.

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