COLEMAN KEEPS FOCUS ON SATURDAY
CHRIS COLEMAN insists Wales will not start plotting a path to the final after their side of the draw opened up, warning any players who get ahead of themselves will be on ‘dangerous ground’. Wales appear to have an opportunity to progress far after topping Group B, with France, Spain, Germany and Italy all in the bottom half and avoidable until the final. The mood in the camp is buoyant after the 3-0 victory over Russia, but Coleman has instructed his team to focus on the immediate challenge, which comes on Saturday against Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes. Speaking before he was sure who Wales would play, he said: ‘Northern Ireland are physical. They get the ball forward quickly. That’s where their strength is. They are superbly organised and defensively so difficult to break down. They are excellent from set plays. ‘But once you start thinking you’re untouchable you’re on dangerous ground. The pathway is the first 45 minutes and how we find our way through that. The second pathway is at half-time and those second 45 minutes and if it goes to extra time or penalties. ‘Beyond that I promise I’m not saying we can play this side or that side. We have to have feet firmly on the ground here. ‘There’s no talk in my camp about who could be next after the last 16. I wouldn’t allow that. There’s not a team in this tournament who can think like that, not even Germany or Spain.’ The squad are occupying their minds in other ways instead, with nightly quizzes between teams. Those with the lowest score at the end of the week must do a forfeit in front of the victors. ‘Court, we call it,’ said striker Sam Vokes. ‘I have quite a strong team — Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, Joe Ledley, David Cotterillerill and Simon Church. Luckilykily we haven’t come last yet. The forfeitt can depend — singing, dancing, a number of things. Hal Robson-Kanu did a dance one night, which was very good.’ Neil Taylor added: ‘Cabin fever can set in when you sit in a hotel for a month, so you have to make sure you do things as a group.’ After the victory over Russia, the team enjoyed a beer in the dressing room and then back at the hotel. The next day they had a barbecue in Toulouse to celebrate. Families were invitedinvite having so far beenbee barred from theth team hotel in D Dinard. ‘They needed it,’ said Coleman (left). ‘All theth kids were there.th The chefs did the food. I have done a few barbecuesbarbecu in my garden but I am not sure I could do the type of burgers I dish up to our lads. Not worth the risk! I don’t think we are insured!’