Harry Wilson: The Perfect Successor to Gareth Bale for Wales Under Manager Rob Page

Wilson ready to fit into Bale shoes

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Wilson scored both goals in Wales' vital victory

The noise of the crowd in the Cardiff City Stadium overshadowed the sound of the final whistle. Rob Page glanced at his coaching team, who raised him into the nighttime sky. A tremendous wave of relief swept over everyone after a difficult week.

In case there were any uncertainties about who leads Wales and who should definitely continue regardless of future circumstances, Sunday's exhilarating 2-1 victory in the capital put all speculation to rest.

An emotional Page expressed his thoughts about his players' dedication, stating, "Their commitment has never been questioned. Despite all the distractions, actions always speak louder than words."

"I've gotten weary of discussing my own future. Let's shift the focus to the team and their remarkable performances. Young JJ [Jordan James] showcased a level of skill and maturity that matches that of a seasoned 30-year-old professional, even when up against the world's finest midfielder."

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Wales gave their all in support of Rob Page.

"I am immensely proud of every single one of them. At times, it even brings me to tears. We are eagerly anticipating the next training session. We are more than ready to prepare for the upcoming match."

The 19-year-old James delivered a remarkable coming-of-age performance against Luka Modric, and Wales were collectively outstanding. Despite missing Brennan Johnson and Aaron Ramsey due to injury, Page made the correct decision to start David Brooks instead of Dan James.

Actions spoke louder than words, as Page's choice and his demonstration of unity were both justified. Additionally, Harry Wilson displayed his readiness to become the nation's new reliable player in the absence of Gareth Bale. With one victory secured, Wales now have two more matches ahead. Qualification is within their grasp. Looking forward to Armenia and the upcoming trip to Yerevan next month.

England understudies jostle but star roles not under threat

Ollie Watkins made his case with a crucial goal that secured the victory. Lewis Dunk and Sam Johnstone, on the other hand, displayed their exceptional goal-saving skills. However, despite the fierce competition among England's backup players for a spot in the squad, the star players remained unaffected by the performances witnessed on Friday night.

Watkins proved to be a genuine threat as he skillfully maneuvered beyond the Australian defense and narrowly missed scoring a goal by striking the post in the first half. While he showcased his remarkable abilities, his real battle lies in outshining Callum Wilson and Eddie Nketiah, rather than posing a threat to Harry Kane. At present, Watkins appears to be leading the race as the top choice to fill in for the England captain when the need arises.

Similarly, Dunk is expected to be replaced by Harry Maguire and John Stones, assuming they are fit, when Gareth Southgate opts for a more traditional back four. Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford will continue as the first-choice goalkeeper, given his significant contributions throughout Southgate's tenure.

However, despite the presence of Levi Colwill, Conor Gallagher, and Jarrod Bowen, none of England's up-and-coming or fringe players capitalized on their opportunities sufficiently to prompt Southgate to reconsider his plans for the upcoming match against Italy. If there is one thing Southgate might have learned from this victory, it is that.

Hybrid Trent giving Southgate options

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Trent Alexander-Arnold

In recent England squads, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a standout player. While he has been labeled as a midfielder, there was speculation that he would be given another opportunity to excel in the midfield for England against Australia.

However, to everyone's surprise, the Liverpool defender was instead positioned as a right-back. Right from the start of the match, it was evident that he was effectively transitioning into a hybrid role, similar to the one he has successfully undertaken for his club this season.

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Alexander-Arnold's assist in Ollie Watkins' match-winning goal for England highlighted his exceptional skills and self-assurance on the field. Despite a lackluster performance from the rest of the team, Alexander-Arnold's standout ability gave Gareth Southgate valuable insights as he finalizes his preparations for Euro 2024.

Southgate made multiple changes against Australia, who presented a challenging midfield with their organization and pressing. Although England couldn't fully reach their highest potential, it wasn't due to lack of effort, especially from Alexander-Arnold, who constantly sought opportunities to control the game and influence play. The Twitter community took notice.

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He played a crucial role in England's winning goal by delivering a precise long cross to Jack Grealish, who then provided a tap-in for Ollie Watkins.

This marked one of Alexander-Arnold's final contributions as a right back, as he was subsequently shifted into midfield for the remaining 30 minutes of the match. This display of talent and versatility could prove to be invaluable for Southgate during the upcoming tournament.

Is Kenny's time up?

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Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny is under mounting pressure after a dismal Euro 2024 qualification campaign

Stephen Kelly, former Republic of Ireland international, shared his thoughts on We News regarding the future of Stephen Kenny as the Ireland boss. This comes after their disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Greece, which shattered their hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2024. Kelly emphasized the initial optimism surrounding Kenny's appointment, given that he came from the domestic league, as everyone hoped for his success.

"He had a vision of revolutionizing Irish football by implementing a possession-based style and starting from the back. While this idea seemed promising and in line with the evolving nature of the game, it ultimately failed to deliver.

"Comparing Ireland's performance to that of Greece, it was evident that the latter team was at ease on the field. Ireland failed to pose a real challenge, despite having talented players who were capable of doing so. The team lacked a clear identity and progressive mindset."

Ireland switched to a four-man defensive line, yet there was a lack of unity and creativity in their gameplay.

Looking ahead, it is likely that this campaign marks the end of Kenny's tenure as the manager. I am uncertain if he will continue in that role.

"I think they're probably looking at candidates now to go forward, but there's still a couple of games left. Could he turn things around? I would say that's probably slim."Declan Olley