Mark Bowen warns an over reliance on Gareth Bale could jeopardise qualification campaign
Tuesday 18 November 2014 00:09, UK
Chris Coleman’s longevity as Wales manager has resulted in the creation of a team capable of grinding out results both at home and abroad, according to Sky Sports pundit Dean Saunders.
Sunday’s goalless draw in Belgium extended Wales’ unbeaten start to Euro 2016 qualification to four games and left the Dragons just a point behind Group B leaders Israel.
And while at times Wales appeared to be hanging on against their much-fancied opponents, Saunders believes Coleman has struck a balance in developing a system which gets the most out of talisman Gareth Bale, gets results and pleases fans and pundits alike.
“I think if you stay in the job long enough you work out what you can do and what you can’t do, and as Chris is going along he’s realising this is the way to play,” Saunders said.
“The players are now realising how to win away from home because you have to do it, you have to play in these games to learn it - they are starting to learn how to win and get results.
“I was also pleased to see James Collins clapping and smiling. He wasn’t picked tonight but that just shows the spirit within the camp. Before the game we were a bit worried about what we would be like defensively but when you play against top teams and top players it’s about distances between different areas of the park and different players.
“I think in the last 15 minutes of the game Belgium were just putting crosses into the box and Wales were just happy to let them do that because we were so compact as a team around those areas. That’s due to the work Chris and his staff would have putting in on the training ground.
The players are now realising how to win away form home. You have to do it, you have to play in these games to learn it - they are starting to learn how to win and get results.
“I think this is the best way for us to play now. You leave Gareth Bale up there. We can’t get above our station and think we're better than we are. We have to defend, break and get the ball to Gareth Bale – his free-kicks and his ball striking from anywhere can win us the game. He can score from the left-hand side of the pitch at any time so we’ve just got to be solid as a team away from home and let him nick us games.
“We’re fed up sitting here saying Wales have got beaten again. The Andorra game - where we went 1-0 down - everybody just dropped their heads and we got back into that. So the fans are pleased that we’re getting results, as too are we.”
Former Wales assistant manager Mark Bowen also praised his nation's ‘disciplined’ and ‘determined’ performance in Belgium.
Bowen, who enjoyed a brief spell as QPR caretaker manager in 2012, cited recent form as evidence that Wales could end their agonising 56-year absence from a major international tournament – as long as they don’t become over reliant on their star players.
“I think the game lent itself to those tactics which could allow Gareth to have a free rein,” Bowen said. “The tests will come maybe later on in the games at home when we’ve got to go and create our own chances and dominate possession in the opposition half a bit more.
“Maybe Coleman will have to change or tweak it. But to play a counter attacking game suits us with the ability Gareth’s got and Hal Robson-Kanu’s pace, it worked perfectly for us tonight.
“When we talk about adaptability, however, I think Wales are very reliant on Gareth for a start. The next game in March is Israel away, and Chris will be wondering, and hoping, if he’s going to have Aaron Ramsey and available, if he’s going to have Gareth available - those key players that when they’re on the pitch for Wales they’ve got a chance."
