Page is upbeat ahead of Euros
Wales’ preparation has been turbulent but nation is positive
WALES stood the football world on its head at the last European Championship five years ago.
In only their second major tournament, and first since the 1958 World Cup, they romped as far as the semi-finals on a wave of patriotic fervour both at home and in France.
They have now qualified for a third tournament, and second successive Euros, but have had every possible obstacle thrown in the path. But first Euro 2016: Wales topped their group with wins over Slovakia and Russia, finishing a point ahead of England, despite defeat to the old enemy.
Knockout wins over Northern Ireland and Belgium followed before they were beaten 2-0 by eventual winners Portugal in the semi-final.
Of all the amazing memories, it is perhaps the second goal in the remarkable 3-1 quarter-final win over Belgium that is the richest, Hal Robson-Kanu putting three defenders out of the game with a perfectly executed Cruyff turn, before beating Simon Mignolet. Heady stuff.
If Wales are to repeat such heroics, they will have pulled off a miracle.
Preparations were thrown into chaos when manager Ryan Giggs had to step aside when he was charged with assault, which he denies.
That left back-room man Robert Page, who won 41 Welsh caps as a defender, in caretaker charge. The former Port Vale and Northampton manager was going to a major tournament. “They’re difficult circumstances. There’s no hiding away from that,” said Page. “It’s the situation we’ve been put in, so we’re dealing with it in the best way possible.
“The boys have reacted in a positive way and they’ve not been affected by it. It’s continuity that the players want.
“We’re all clear in what’s going on. We can focus on the job in hand.”
Page insists he will be no puppet leader. “The decisions moving forward will be from myself and my coaches,” he said. “What Ryan has said is that if I need any advice or I need a different perspective on things, then he’s going to be there. He wants what’s best.”
As if all that wasn’t enough, Page has had to deal with uncertainty over the fitness of several of his key men.
While the national team probably represents a sanctuary for superstar skipper Gareth Bale amid uncertainty over his club future, the older heads around him have had a trying time.
Aaron Ramsey started only three of Juventus’ past 23 games, Ben Davies hasn’t played for Tottenham since mid-March, while Joe Allen, having overcome a ruptured Achilles, has missed the last couple of months, too.
The creaking older bodies coincide with a surge of young talent coming through, though. Daniel James, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams and Tyler Roberts are among a host of players who have made their international debuts since Giggs took over. Ethan Ampadu, David Brooks and Harry Wilson have also blossomed, although they made debuts under Chris Coleman. It means the odds are against Wales repeating their exploits of 2016. But they were in France too...