BBC SPORT | BBC Pundits | Azerbaijan no pushovers



Mark Aizlewood BBC Sport Online football columnist

There's no doubt that the injuries to the Welsh squad have been a major blow, but we have to be confident we can win and prove our strength in depth.

People have to recognise that Azerbaijan will be no pushovers. I saw the full 90 minutes of their game with Italy, and the Azzurrri were made to struggle.

Despite the problems that the injuries have caused, I don't think you can put the blame on the clubs

The opening strike was an own goal, and the only other Italian score was a dodgy free kick.

It's not easy to replace the likes of Bellamy and Pembridge, proven Premiership performers.

Then in defence I'm still wary about Danny Gabbidon's chances of starting the game.

Gabbidon boost for Wales

He's been superb in partnership with Andy Melville.

Melville's brought him on with his know-how and experience, but equally Gabbidon's helped out his colleague with the extra pace he brought to the back four.

Wales will do everything in their power to help him get onto the pitch, but a seven-hour flight won't help a dodgy back.

It's going to be a case of doing our best to fill in the gaps in midfield, but I think Hughes will stick to the structure of playing 4-5-1.

Savage adds to Wales woes

Robert Earnshaw should make the starting line-up
I think Earnshaw will start, but maybe wide on the right with Simon Davies switching to a more central role. Another option is to move Gary Speed up from left back.

Despite the problems that the injuries have caused, I don't think you can put the blame on the clubs.

They're all genuine injuries - we're on such a high at the moment that all the players are desperate to turn out for Wales.

The attitude of the clubs was based on the Fifa rules so you can't fault them.

With hindsight Mark Hughes was wrong to take such a strong line, but at the time he thought he had the rules on his side.

Hughes calls for Fifa rule change

Everyone at the Welsh FA has been left with egg on their face because they didn't really understand the rules.

The problem goes back to our organising a competitive game on a weekend set aside for friendlies, but it was an extremely difficult fixture to set up.

Religious festivals and adverse weather conditions in Azerbaijan meant the FAW had their hands tied.

I still think they did the right thing in making sure we played the two Azerbaijan ties back to back.

The preparations have been far from ideal, but come Wednesday evening if we have another three points in the bag no-one will worry.