Chris Llewellyn for Wales?


Over Looked

By wrecsam am byth
February 18 2004

I look into the possible reasons why Chris Llewellyn wasn't picked for injury-ravaged Wales side against Scotland at the Millenium Stadium, also why Wrexham defender Stephen Roberts wasn't selected but Bournemouths Carl Fletcher was chosen by Manager Mark Hughes to be in the side to face Scotland. Wrecsam am byth

Chris Llewellyn for Wales?
 

Mark Hughes' attacking options look particularly bare when you take John Hartson, Nathan Blake and Craig Bellamy out of the equation.
 

That leaves Wigan's Neil Roberts, Nottingham Forest's Gareth Taylor and Cardiff City's Robert Earnshaw as the only out-and-out centre forwards, so that brings up the question, why wasn't Chris Llewellyn picked as a replacement for one of the injured trio?

I think I speak for the majority of Wrexham fans in welcoming Neil Roberts into the Wales squad for the friendly and even though chances are limited at Wigan this season, Sparky still recognises him as a potential striker on the International stage.

There have been more injuries for Mark Hughes to deal with, Mark Pembridge, Jason Koumas, Andy Johnson, Mark Delaney and Adrian Williams are also injured and Fifa have not yet rubber stamped Ben Thatcher's wish to change allegiance from England to Wales.
 

So with more injuries, would there be a place on the wing for Wrexham's Chris Llewellyn? He has played a lot of football behind the front two at Wrexham this season and by some has had its criticism, but by the vast majority been seen as a good move by Denis Smith to give Chris some more versatility to his overall game.

The point I'm trying to get across here is that would Chris' versatility come in handy for Mark Hughes in situations like they are currently experiencing at the moment?
 

Cardiff's Paul Parry was called up to the Wales squad this week because of the injury crisis Mark Hughes has had.

He was snapped up for £75,000 from non-league side Hereford last month, and after making only five senior appearance for the Bluebirds he has impressed Hughes sufficiently to earn an international call-up.

So in that case, after a near full season at the Racecourse with division two Wrexham, why was Chris Llewellyn over looked? No disrespect to Parry but he was at Hereford in January and people have only heard his name since he joined the Cardiff revolution this month.

And since Hughes has asked for unlimited substitutions on Wednesday night, Parry could well win his first cap.

With fellow division two side Bournemouth having centre back Carl Fletcher called up to the squad, that proves that Mark Hughes does look into this league for possibilities for the squad.

So in that case, with Wrexham being in a higher league position than Bournemouth, what's wrong with Stephen Roberts? Playing well recently and scored a cracker away at TNS in the FAW Premier Cup.

Denis Smith has spoken out about Stephen and referred to him saying he should have been called up instead of Carl Fletcher.

If you think I'm, being biased towards Wrexham, then cast your minds back a few years to when Cardiff were in exactly the same league position that we grace now. Weston, Earnshaw and Gabbidon were all being introduced to the full Welsh national team, so you have to ask why aren't the likes of Roberts and Llewellyn being selected in the same way?

So what do you think? Has Chris Llewellyn's form this season for Wrexham warranted a place in Mark Hughes' injury-ravaged national team? Let us know your thoughts on our latest poll.

 
Wrecsam am byth

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