Bale makes Wales very dangerous

GARETH BALE has struggled in America just as he struggled in Madrid. But Wales coach Robert Page will not worry. The whole point of Bale moving to los Angeles FC was to maintain fitness ahead of the World Cup. Without that carrot, he may have retired.

Spending an informative hour with Page last season was to understand how so much of what he does is tailored to simply getting the best out of Bale. Each training session is organised with just that in mind.

If Bale doesn’t play well in Qatar, Wales become just another outsider nation. If he does, they are very dangerous indeed. Despite all the apparent evidence, Page believes it will be the latter and I am not arguing.