Toshack seeks venue advice

Wales manager will gauge player opinion before choosing venue

Last updated: 8th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Toshack seeks venue advice

Toshack will ask players for advice

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Wales boss John Toshack is set to consult his players before deciding on the venue for their home Euro 2012 qualifier against England.

Toshack is taking the unusual step as he considers whether to use the 75,000 capacity Millennium Stadium or a smaller, more intimidating venue.

Wales are in Group G for the qualifiers and will face Fabio Capello's side in addition to Switzerland, Montenegro and Bulgaria.

The Real Madrid manager is considering other options including the new 27,000 seater Cardiff City Stadium and Swansea's Liberty Stadium (22,000) where they host Sweden in a friendly on 3rd March.

Toshack said: "Things have changed a bit recently for us. We have got two other stadiums now.

"We were well pleased with the treatment we got from the Cardiff people when we played Scotland there recently.

"It is early days yet. We have a fixture meeting on 15th March when it will be decided what dates we play but you don't have to announce the venue until 90 days before a fixture.

"I will be interested to get the players' views on that subject as well so we have got a little bit of time to decide."

Tough task

Toshack could take heart from England's 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in 2005, which was staged at the intimate Windsor Park.

However, he concedes that his side will face a tough task to beat Capello's men.

He added: "Swansea have a new stadium as well and we have been treated well there and play Sweden there shortly. You have to consider the atmosphere factor as well.

"Looking at our group, I think it is the most wide open of all of them. England will be clear favourites but I think the other four nations are all in contention.

"Between the four of us there is not a great deal to choose at all. It is difficult for anyone to predict the positions the teams will finish in.

"There are no 'gimme' fixtures for anyone. England are favourites but none of the teams are superpowers."