October 12, 2024
5 talking points for Wales as Craig Bellamy era begins

5 talking points for Wales as Craig Bellamy era begins

Wales begin a new era as Craig Bellamy takes charge for the first time against Turkey on Friday night.

It’s the start of a Nations League campaign for Wales with Iceland and Montenegro completing Group B4.

The PA news agency looks at the main talking points ahead of the game at Cardiff City Stadium.

Bellamy Arch

New South Wales manager Craig Bellamy oversees a training sessionNew South Wales manager Craig Bellamy oversees a training session

New South Wales manager Craig Bellamy oversees a training session ahead of their Nations League opener against Turkey (David Davies/PA)

As a player, Craig Bellamy was a man of good heart. Often angry and controversial, Bellamy made headlines on and off the field.

But no one could dispute his ability or the passion he brought to playing for Wales.

After losing the job to Ryan Giggs in 2018, Bellamy now has the chance to lead his country and it promises to be an exciting adventure.

Now aged 45, the former striker appears calmer and ready to be a coach after having learned the ropes alongside Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and Burnley.

Ramsey’s role

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey works out during a training sessionWales captain Aaron Ramsey works out during a training session

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has not played for his country for almost 12 months (David Davies/PA)

Aaron Ramsey remains Wales captain under Bellamy – but what will the 33-year-old’s actual role be?

Ramsey has not played for Wales for almost 12 months due to an injury that is plaguing the Cardiff midfielder.

He has played in all four of Cardiff’s league games this season but the Bluebirds are yet to win and are bottom of the table.

Bellamy is a big fan and convinced his former team-mate can be a threat in the final third, so the key could be finding the right system to maximise Ramsey’s attacking instincts.

Will Will Johnson Shine?

Brennan Johnson looks frustratedBrennan Johnson looks frustrated

Tottenham striker Brennan Johnson has often had frustrating moments with Wales (Joe Giddens/PA)

Brennan Johnson has yet to impress consistently for Wales and the Tottenham striker’s stats don’t make for great reading.

Johnson has scored just three times in 28 appearances, although most of his first caps have come as a substitute.

Johnson, nimble-footed and considered one of the fastest players in the Premier League, is now 23 and has one season under his belt at Spurs.

Bellamy claims Johnson is worth far more than the £47.5million Spurs paid Nottingham Forest for him and the winger looks set to play a major role in his new Wales side.

Darlow Option

Wales’ goalkeeping problems are well documented.

Page sometimes picked four – Danny Ward, Wayne Hennessey, Adam Davies and Tom King – in a team, but none of them made a single league appearance last season.

Bellamy convinced Karl Darlow to sign the Northampton-born Leeds goalkeeper when others failed.

Darlow is behind Illan Meslier at Leeds but the 33-year-old has played 250 career games for Newcastle and Nottingham Forest among others and his addition could be a masterstroke from Bellamy.

Revenge Mission

Connor Roberts (left) collides with Turkey's Kenan YildizConnor Roberts (left) collides with Turkey's Kenan Yildiz

Connor Roberts (left) collides with Turkey’s Kenan Yildiz during a Euro 2024 qualifier in Cardiff last November (David Davies/PA)

Wales and Turkey face each other again less than 10 months after meeting in Euro 2024 qualifying.

On that occasion Wales had to win and Croatia had to drop points against Armenia to qualify automatically. None of that happened as Wales were held to a 1-1 draw in Cardiff and Croatia won.

Wales headed to the play-offs, which they failed to make.

Turkey reached the quarter-finals of the Euros but were lucky to draw in Cardiff. Johnson had his penalty disallowed at 1-0 and the visitors equalised thanks to a dubious penalty.

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