THE MALCOLM ALLEN COLUMN

IT’S a crazy time of the season to play two back-to-back internationals, with enormous importance on both games that can shape our Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.

But we go to Croatia and Hungary full of confidence after our first game versus Slovakia, which we won of course and kept a clean sheet.

If you forget about the World Cup campaign for a minute, when too many players became complacent, ask yourself – how many clean sheets did we keep in the last Euro qualifiers? Out of 10 games, Wales kept seven clean sheets. That will be vital again this time around.

Ryan Giggs has put a lot of faith in the new kids on the block, and their self-belief during the game against Slovakia shows they will only get better. Experience comes during the journey, and that is the only attribute I see them lacking which could possibly count against us.

Giggs has capped 12 newcomers in his 11 games, and more than half of those were 22 or under when they made their debuts. The manager has proven that he is not afraid of making big decisions. These are crucial games for Wales and Ryan will surely feel that.

But I’m positive we have plenty of big game players who are comfortable on this stage – no matter how old they are.

Preparation hasn’t been ideal, with Aaron Ramsey having to pull out of contention, but with the timing of the games at the end of a gruelling season, you’re bound to have one or two out with injuries.

I think Harry Wilson will play that number 10 role in Aaron’s absence, so that’s not a bad replacement.

Ben Davies’ unexpected return to the squad is a boost, although with the injury problem he’s had to play with recently, you wonder whether he will be able to play twice in four days.

Luckily, Neil Taylor has really rolled his sleeves up for Aston Villa recently, and if called upon, he will slot in at left-back.

There will be big changes after the Croatia game because of the rest period of four days, but let’s face the first challenge to start with. Croatia are coming off a defeat against Hungary and will be looking to bounce back in front of their home crowd – but they might have to do that without their quality midfielder, Ivan Rakitic.

They have the oldest squad in the competition, so with our energy and pace, I’m hoping to see us take advantage on the counter attack. With an emotional Dan James, after the death of his father and with a potential move to Manchester United on the cards, he will be full of fire down the left. David Brooks will be full of trickery down the right and I think Gareth Bale will lead the attack through the middle. He loves playing for his country and after a troubled time at Real Madrid recently, he will want to remind people of his star quality.

With James and Brooks potentially cutting in from the flanks, that will give Connor Roberts on the right and either Davies or Taylor on the left, the room to overlap and pose a real threat.

Keeping calm in midfield will be Joe Allen and Matty Smith, who played 34 games helping FC Twente get promoted to the Eredivisie in Holland this season; two dependable players to protect the back four.

We will win 2-1 in Croatia and tee up the Hungary game nicely, which in my opinion we will comfortably win 3-0. Then, we will be in the driving seat come September, at home to Azerbaijan.

I can’t wait for this weekend, and those of you who didn’t get tickets, don’t forget to tune into S4C.

Former Wales striker Malcolm Allen is a commentator for S4C’s Sgorio, which will be showing all Wales Euro 2020 qualifiers live. Coverage of Croatia v Wales starts at 1.30pm on Saturday, while coverage of Hungary v Wales starts at 7.25pm on Tuesday. Former Wales stars John Hartson, Owain Tudur Jones and Gwennan Harries will provide studio analysis while for the latest team news and interviews, follow @sgorio on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.