Craig Bellamy’s arrival as Wales manager has injected fresh energy and ambition into the national team setup.
We hear from Bellamy himself, as well as captain Ben Davies, on the long-term vision for the national team and how they plan to shape the future of Welsh football on and off the pitch.
We hear from Bellamy himself, as well as captain Ben Davies, on the long-term vision for the national team and how they plan to shape the future of Welsh football on and off the pitch.
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00:00Now, Craig Bellamy's arrival as Wales manager has injected fresh energy and ambition into the national team's set-up.
00:09And over his passion and intensity, Bellamy is already making an impact behind the scenes as he looks to build a new era for Welsh football.
00:19His focus is clear, developing young talent, establishing a strong team identity and guiding Wales back to major tournaments.
00:27Players have responded well to his approach and there's a growing optimism about what his next chapter could bring.
00:35We'll be hearing from Bellamy himself and captain Ben Davis on the long-term vision for the national team and how they plan to shape the future of Welsh football, both on and off the pitch.
00:49And just on Ben Davis particularly, he's obviously the most experienced in the side.
00:54He wouldn't matter the match in the first game against Kazakhstan as well, obviously with a goal in there as well and an assist.
01:02He's been absolutely fantastic.
01:03I mean, a great servant and also, interestingly, the only remaining player from 2013 when Bellamy actually played his last game as a player.
01:13So quite incredible to see his rise and his tournament experience has got to be so valuable to this Welsh squad.
01:20It's obviously quite a young bunch of players as well.
01:23So just a bit on Ben Davis and his impact on this side.
01:26Yeah, he's the level head, he's the leader at the back and often quiet and, you know, he's maybe not your typical leader in that sense.
01:36But when he speaks, people listen and he leads by example on the pitch and he's an achievable and recognisable role model for these players.
01:45Because, like we said, yes, you can talk about Ramsey and you can talk about Alan, you can talk about Bale from that 2016 squad.
01:51But Ben Davis has been there and done it himself.
01:54You know, he was a key part of that 2016 team.
01:58Obviously, his block against Slovakia in the opening match that is so crucial in Welsh folklore.
02:03The whole tournament probably doesn't happen or unfold the way it did if Ben Davis doesn't make that huge block in the opening minutes against Slovakia in our 2016 opener.
02:11And he's a player who is playing at the top level still.
02:14I know Tottenham might not be the highest level in world football, but he's still got an incredible CV.
02:21He's got so much experience under his belt and he's a player who everyone else can look up to really.
02:28And I think from Bellamy's point of view, he's one of those few players that is really reliable, a constant in the squad.
02:35There's others who are maybe a bit more erratic in their form, players who are less predictable of what you want to get.
02:42But what you do and can be assured of from Ben Davis is you do get that stereotypical sort of 7 out of 10 every single game that he plays.
02:50And that is so crucial in international football.
02:52And so, too, is that experience because when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, if it comes down to another playoff campaign, he's done it.
02:59You know, he's been at the European Championships twice.
03:02He's been at the World Cup.
03:03And that is, that's huge because it proves it can be done.
03:08And in those moments of doubt where Wales in the past were never able to get over the line, there is now a track record of doing so.
03:14And as a player still in their squad, maybe it works better the other way that Wales aren't as much of a sort of one-man team now.
03:21I know they were more a collective before anyway and Bale was just the icing on top who made things happen.
03:28But there is an opening there.
03:31While I think there's a bit more team cohesion and the overall levels may be increased, I still think Wales are just missing that player in their prime who can win games and secure results on their own.
03:41So, for me, it's something different to what maybe he's been asked for Wales players before.
03:48And I'm listening, I'm not here to say this is right and that was wrong and there's no right or wrong.
03:53But how I look at the game, it was going to be a test for them and a test for the crowd and a test for you as well.
04:01You know, because I still hear the shouts, get it forward, get it there and bring it up there.
04:05When we have the numbers here, if you're not coming, then we'll move it.
04:10We'll keep the ball moving.
04:12Now, for years, we've seen that done to us.
04:15I didn't like it.
04:16I didn't like it.
04:18One of the biggest things that I've taken from working with Craig Bellamy is that I feel like I'm learning things all the time with him.
04:25The level of detail that both him and his coaches working on the training pitch in meeting rooms is second to none.
04:35And I think, as I said, the biggest compliment I can give him is that I think every player in this squad feels like they're becoming better players.
04:43I think every player in this squad is being better.
04:44So, I'm going to take a look at the game.
04:45I think it's going to be a game.
04:46I think it's going to be a game.
04:47I'm going to take a look at the game.
04:48I'm going to take a look at the game.
04:49I think it's going to be a game.
04:50I think it's going to be a game.
04:51I think it's going to be a game.
04:52I think it's going to be a game.
04:53I think it's going to be a game.
04:54I think it's going to be a game.
04:55I think it's going to be a game.
04:56I think it's going to be a game.
04:57I think it's going to be a game.
04:58I think it's going to be a game.
04:59I think it's going to be a game.
05:00I think it's going to be a game.