Next week will be a crucial one for Wales as they travel to Austria on October 6th before facing Georgia at the Cardiff City Stadium on October 9 in World Cup qualifiers. Dai Sport columnist Ross Tyson looks ahead.
It is only games two and three of a two-year qualifying campaign, but in what is expected to be a hotly contested group also featuring the Republic of Ireland and Serbia, these games carry significant importance.
Austria disappointed in Euro 2016, but their pre-tournament form saw them cast in the role of dark horses. Wales drew Georgia from pot six and can count themselves unlucky, as the likes of Malta and San Marino would provide a much more comfortable pair of games.
So, other than “how much Joe’s ice cream can I eat, now I have the freedom of the City of Swansea?” what questions will Chris Coleman be asking himself ahead of October’s qualifiers?
How long can Hennessey ward off Danny?
Wayne Hennessey has been Wales’ #1 since Boaz Myhill’s retirement and a short while before, but that now may start to come into question. Danny Ward has played well when called upon and, crucially, is playing for his club.
Hennessey started the season in goal for Palace but injury ruled him out in game week three and since then new signing Steve Mandanda has started in goal. Given the Frenchman’s stature, Mandanda will most likely stay as the first choice.
Ward, on the other hand, departed from Liverpool on loan and has played every game for Huddersfield, keeping two clean sheets in their current, unexpected promotion charge.
It’s not the first time in his career Hennessey has found himself on the bench or missing games through injury and he will hope his manager stays loyal to him despite his understudy’s ever-mounting challenge.
Will Neil Taylor’s difficult start affect him?
Neither Taylor, nor his club Swansea City, will be satisfied with how the season has started. Fitness issues saw the Wrexham-born full back start the season in the U23 squad and his sole Premier League appearance saw him hooked minutes before half time, a fairly humiliating moment which his manager Francesco Guidolin, later apologised for.
Taylor did play the full 90 minutes for Wales against Moldova in September, but potential rival Paul Dummett, who can operate as a centre-back or a left-back, has started in nine of Newcastle’s 10 Championship fixtures.
Coleman seems to be a big fan of Taylor, but could his indifferent start lead to him losing his long-standing place in Wales’ first XI?
Does Coleman treat Austria away like Belgium away in November 2014?
Back before the Red Devils woke up in a cold sweat desperately trying to find Hal Robson-Kanu, Belgium were the side most feared in Wales’ Euro 2016 qualifying group.
Coleman set up for a draw in Brussels and would have been pleased to get it. Fast forward two years and Wales travel to Austria, who are again, on paper, the side Wales should most fear in Group D.
The difference, this time, is that Wales have more games left to play and unlike in 2014 face home and away games against the likes of Serbia and derbies against the Republic of Ireland.
How to set up without Ramsey?
Aaron Ramsey was missing in September but this time, Wales will play twice in four days, and, on paper at least, both fixtures will be tougher. Ramsey was reinvigorated in France and his hard work and assured touch were missed in the semi-final against Portugal.
Coleman may wish to strengthen the middle and replace Ramsey with Andy King in Austria, then perhaps add a more attacking outlet like David Cotterill or Tom Lawrence against Georgia in Cardiff.
The squad has been named and if the last league weekend before October’s international break passes without incident it will be these questions Coleman has to answer ahead of two potentially campaign-defining matches.
