‘The worst…’ – Craig Bellamy verdict following Cymru’s draw with Türkiye
Wales manager Craig Bellamy at full time. Wales v Turkey in the UEFA Nations League at Cardiff City Stadium on the 6th September 2024.
Craig Bellamy described his side’s performance as “outstanding” but stated “this is the worst we’re going to be” following Wales’ 0-0 draw against Türkiye at The Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales were unable to make the most of a man advantage following the sending off of Baris Alper Yilmaz as they opened their Nations League campaign with a point.
Speaking after the fixture the new boss said: “Believe me this is the worst we’re going to be, the more we learn and spend time together, the final details it’s such a good start but there’s so much more to come from this team.”
The 45-year-old was also quizzed on how much he enjoyed his first night as manager stating: “I’m not a master of this after one game trust me, but I enjoyed it, it was great opposition, brilliant manager in Vincenzo (Montellla), great country to play against in your first game so yeah im really happy with it.”
Despite being unable to find a winning goal it was a performance that has built excitement amongst The Red Wall as they had the chance to witness the new ‘identity’ of the side. The home side finished the game with 67% possession, completing double the amount of passes with 602 and three times as many shots with 15.
“It’s what I like and what I’d like the players to like if you don’t have the ball get it back, I don’t like sitting off it’s not me as a person”
“Try and dominate as much as you can, and that’s just how I see it for me as a person, I was able to bring in a coaching staff with the same principles, and ideas as what I had to help me relay that information to the players,“ said the former Cardiff City man on how he wants his side to play.
“I always believe when you started playing the game you weren’t in a deep block with your friends on a field playing football, you were with the ball”
“I believe any footballer that’s got to this stage of his career is a good footballer, why not give them the opportunity to show that, why not believe in them.”
Montenegro clash
Preparations now turn to Monday night’s fixture away to Montenegro in Wales’ second Nations League fixture. Speaking on the upcoming task Bellamy said;
“There will be changes, we’ll tweak a little bit as well in how we approach that game because every game you approach differently, different press to how you try and work the opposition and how we’ll try and use the ball in possession”
“We’ll try and move it to what we feel will give us the best opportunity of dominating the ball, but hopefully winning.”
Forward Kieffer Moore required stitches following the game due to a collision that caused the Sheffield United man to suffer a cut on his head. He is expected to be available for selection for the trip to Niksic.
Montenegro began their Nations League campaign on Friday night with a 2-0 away loss to Iceland. The last time Wales faced ‘The Brave Falcons’ was in 2011 when Bellamy featured in the side’s 2-1 win at The Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales have failed to win away to Montenegro in their two previous attempts, suffering a 2-1 friendly defeat in 2009 before being beaten 1-0 during a 2010 European Championship qualifier.
