Source: Team_Talk
Ricketts won't give Petrov an easy ride
Wales defender Sam Ricketts has warned his Bolton team-mate Martin Petrov to expect a tough night in Cardiff on Friday.[LNB] Bulgaria playmaker Petrov is one of the players Wales will need to cancel out to get their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign up and running this week.[LNB]Wales were beaten in their opening Group G match in Montenegro last month and need positive results at the Cardiff City Stadium and in Switzerland next Tuesday to keep hopes alive.[LNB]Ricketts said: "Bulgaria have got good players and you know they are going to be a good side. Dimitar Berbatov has retired now but there are players who play in the Premier League - Martin Petrov and Stiliyan Petrov.[LNB]"Martin and I have had a bit of banter over the last few weeks or so and obviously I am desperate to get one over him. Hopefully I might kick him as well![LNB]"Stiliyan Petrov is another very good player and it is important we nullify them and impose ourselves as well.[LNB]"We have got good players as well and we are looking forward to it."[LNB]Ricketts, the former Swansea and Hull player, started his season on the Reebok Stadium bench but is enjoying his club football.[LNB]The 28-year-old believes the Trotters are making positive strides under manager Owen Coyle, something proved by the recent call-ups of Kevin Davies and Gary Cahill by England.[LNB]Ricketts said: "Obviously with Davo and Gaz Cahill, it is great publicity for the club.[LNB]"It shows the strides we are trying to take to lose the previous tag which the media gave and replace it with a new one. We're slowing achieving it.[LNB]"We have started the season well. We have only been beaten once and that was Arsenal away.[LNB]"We have had a few good results and should have been Man Utd the other week, although a 2-2 draw was respectable.[LNB]"It has been good. I've played the last three games and am happy to play my part as and when I can.[LNB]"Premier League sides have two players for every position. You have to fight hard for your place and when you get it, try to keep it."[LNB]Ricketts admits Wales, in a group that also includes England, can ill afford another bad result this week following their loss in Montenegro.[LNB]Wales had travelled to Podgorica with high hopes of challenging for a place at a major tournament for the first time since 1958 but optimism was soon punctured.[LNB]They came home dejected after the 1-0 defeat and manager John Toshack left his post soon after.[LNB]Under-21 boss Brian Flynn has now been placed in temporary charge and Ricketts feels that has lifted the mood.[LNB]"The lads are excited," Ricketts said. "It's a new week, new gaffer and there's always a buzz in the air when this happens at club or national level.[LNB]"Everyone is very eager to impress.[LNB]"Brian has said very little so far. He is a bubbly character and that's what he wants to express to the team, to get everyone thinking along those lines.[LNB]"He brings a freshness and a new impetus to the squad and hopefully it will work well.[LNB]"Montenegro was a disappointment. There was a lot of emphasis put on the first game, going out there with the squad we did.[LNB]"It's not a write-off but we need to get something from these games now to keep ourselves in with a chance of qualifying.[LNB]"The atmosphere is always great for night games down here and it is time to produce."[LNB]Wales will be captained by Swansea defender Ashley Williams in the absence of Craig Bellamy through injury.[LNB]The 26-year-old has previous experience in the role having the led the team in a friendly in Croatia in May.[LNB]Alan Curtis, Flynn's assistant, said: "You look at the squad and suitability of players, players in form and for players with charisma and an aura within the squad.[LNB]"I think Ashley has got everybody's respect and in the end it became a fairly natural choice."[LNB]Wales have slight doubts over the fitness of Sheffield United striker Ched Evans and Swansea midfielder Joe Allen, who both have groin problems but will remain with the squad.[LNB]Curtis said: "We are not quite sure if they are going to be available for Friday but, looking long term, they are still part of the squad.[LNB]"It's just a little bit of soreness and tenderness which for the pair of them hasn't quite cleared up."[LNB]Uncapped Cardiff defender Adam Matthews has been added to the squad as cover.
