Ramsey can be Bale’s absence,
AARON Ramsey has been told to show his world-class best to keep alive World Cup dreams in Serbia.
Wales go to Belgrade on Sunday knowing they need a result to maintain hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018.
But they do so without talented talisman Gareth Bale, suspended having received two bookings in a campaign to date that has seen Chris Coleman’s side go undefeated, but still trailing the group leaders by four points.
Yet Ramsey – fresh from his matchwinning FA Cup performance for Arsenal – has been backed to handle the extra burden in Bale’s absence.
And midfield pal Joe Allen has claimed the 26-year-old is ready to hit peak form just when his country needs him most.
Ramsey, like Allen, was hailed for his Euro 2016 performances and made the tournament’s team of the summer, and Stoke star Allen said: “Rambo’s come back in after a few days’ break after the final and, honestly, he looks in great nick.
“He ended the season really strongly and he’s an example of someone who’s really hitting top form at an important time for Wales.
“He was a matchwinner again for Arsenal and sometimes what he can do is forgotten with all the talk of Gareth.
“But, make no mistake about it, on his day he’s a world-class footballer and someone we all have huge admiration for.”
Ramsey’s absence was felt by Wales in the opening to the campaign, the Caerphilly product missing the first three games and leaving Coleman’s side creatively short in draws with Austria and Georgia.
But he appears to be back at his peak from France, emulating his incredible Euro 2016 work-rate with a record-breaking distance covered in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over champions Chelsea at Wembley just days before Wales headed to Portugal for a training camp.
Allen said it was a camp much needed following a long footballing year, several of the Wales squad having struggled to cope with the season after that summer and that the mix of “recharging batteries” and a fortnight of planned preparation for such a key game was vital.
It is even more significant given the blows Wales have suffered beyond Bale.
Ben Woodburn joined the list of missing players when the Liverpool rookie pulled out of the squad yesterday with a calf problem, joining banned pair Bale and Neil Taylor, as well as injured trio James Collins, Andy King and Jonny Williams.
But Allen reckons the natural focus on Bale could give Wales the chance to shock Serbia, saying: “We are going to miss Gareth and it’s a negative for him to be suspended for this game, of course.
“But Serbia, even before the last round of games, would have one eye on how they are going to tackle Wales and how they are going to tackle Gareth as an individual, so we have that little element of surprise that could work in our favour.
“But you can always look at things in a positive way and that’s one of them.
“You’ve seen it time and again, whether this campaign or not, football is strange and we might be soon talking about one of the best Wales performances in years, you just don’t know.
“We’re confident we’ve enough in us and in the squad to cope with his loss.”
Allen remained coy on whether the absence of Bale would see Wales switch away from their usual system or style, and indeed whether it means a variation in role for the former Swansea City ace.
The Pembrokeshire playmaker has won praise this season for his moreadvanced play under Mark Hughes at Stoke, something in contrast to his duties of screening and setting up attacks on the international stage.
Allen claimed he “didn’t want to give much away”, but was quick to add that – Bale or no Bale – there is little secret to Wales’ success in recent years after again pointing to the strength of the collective over the individual.
“With Gareth missing, a lot of people have talked of the onus being on other players to step up, especially senior players,” Allen said.
“But the truth is it’s about everyone, whether you’ve got the caps or are new to the squad. Everyone has to pull together.
“The beauty of this team over the last few years it’s always about the team, about teamwork, resilience, amongst other things, and for that to work, everyone understands we have to be at 100%.
“We know how important this game is. We’re not going to hide from the fact a loss leaves us in a difficult position.”