It only took a few minutes of his first game in charge to realise that this new Cymru era under Craig Bellamy is going to deliver everything he promised following his appointment as Head Coach just a couple of months ago.
Despite this being his first senior role, Bellamy certainly had no reservations on how his team would approach each game and was clear from the start on how he expects his team to perform. High-energy, high-press, high-risk and high-intensity were the high-level phrases often used to offer an early insight into his tactical mindset, and EURO quarter-finalists Türkiye would be the first opponents as the new UEFA Nations League campaign kicked-off in Cardiff last Friday night.
Prior to his first squad announcement, Bellamy engaged in a clean-sweep of the backroom staff and introduced a number of new faces. Andrew Crofts, Piet Cremers, James Rowberry, Ryland Morgans and Martyn Margetson would be assist Bellamy in implementing his plan. “I’m very happy with the group of staff that we’ve been able to bring in,” he said. “I’ve worked with all of them previously, either as a coach or as a player. As a collective, I believe the balance and various expertise between us is the best we could have asked for.”
Bellamy announced his first squad at the end of August while also debuting the black bomber jacket that would make memes in Montenegro. A mix of youth and experience was named on paper, but it was his support for captain Aaron Ramsey and what he could contribute moving forward that made the first headlines of his tenure. “We’re talking about one of the best players to ever play for Wales,” said Bellamy. “We’ve had conversations about the role I see him playing and what I expect from him. I see a lot of football still to come from him.”
Cutting a bewildered figure on the touchline at the Cardiff City Stadium, Türkiye boss Vincenzo Montella must have wondered if his scouting reports had been for the same Cymru team during those opening exchanges. The Red Wall were visibly lifted by the attacking intensity that had been missing in predecessor Rob Page’s final games, and while this remains very much a work in progress for Bellamy, he would have been delighted by the initial application of his ideas as Cymru dominated for long periods.
But there was method in the controlled madness. “We’ll have some analysis meetings with the players and probably the first first camp will be an information overload,” explained new Assistant Coach Piet Cremers following his appointment. “Craig and I share a very similar philosophy in terms of the way we want to play, the way we want to press and the intensity we want to have in the game. It’s all about being dominant, making sure that we dictate the game, that we force the opposition into mistakes when we don’t have the ball, and when we have the ball, that we’re always looking to to create that extra man anywhere on the pitch to hurt the opposition.”
Of course, getting the squad to buy into this shift mentality would be crucial. The first training sessions would prove to be as intense as the tactical approach, but the potential rewards were immediately clear. “It definitely feels different to what we’ve played before,” explained Harry Wilson after a few days on camp. “There’s a lot more risk involved in the build-up. He especially wants the goalkeepers, defenders and others to stay on the ball, take responsibility and build up the pitch that way. I also feel if we get that right, it gets us attacking players higher up the pitch. It’s definitely the way I want to play football and the way I see football as well.”
And that was pretty much how the opening match against Türkiye played out. There was plenty of pre-match debate over what would be Bellamy’s preferred formation, and the 4-2-3-1 that he opted for would not have been alien to the squad having previously been used by Page prior to his switch to a back three. Cymru were dominant from the first whistle, with Ramsey, Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson and the excellent Sorba Thomas all coming close to scoring the first goal of the Bellamy era, but it would end goalless.
Despite the lack of goals from their 15 attempts, the overall performance was seen as an overriding positive. “Believe me, this is the worst we’re going to be,” Bellamy said after the match. “The more we learn, the more time we spend together, learning the finer details, there’s way more to come. The players were outstanding. We’ve had a lot of work this week, a lot of meetings, and I’m always conscious of the load of information given to the players in a short space of time.”
There would be little time to reflect on the 0-0 draw as the side headed to Montenegro for their second match just three days later. The fixture had been subject to controversy over the playing surface at the National Stadium in Podgorica and had been moved to a smaller venue at nearby Nikšić. The Red Wall took the change in their stride as they arrived in huge numbers for the next instalment of this new era, while Bellamy was not accepting any excuses as they arrived at the humble rain-soaked surroundings.
Five changes were made to the starting line-up, with Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow one of the more intriguing decisions. Although he turns 34 next month, this would be his international debut, and given Bellamy’s desire to see his shot-stoppers equally proficient on the ball it will be interesting which direction he goes in when the competitive action returns next month. Teenage star Lewis Koumas was also offered a start after impressing off the bench against Türkiye, while Oli Cooper also made his first senior start in midfield.
High-press, high-intensity. Cymru were two goals ahead inside the opening three minutes as the bandaged Kieffer Moore and Wilson rocked the Montenegrin defence. High-risk. Montenegro had chances of their own, with captain Stevan Jovetić striking the crossbar from his own half and forcing Darlow to make two excellent saves. Cymru took their 2-0 lead into half-time, but there could have easily been eight goals in that opening 45 minutes. The torrential rain and a soaked playing surface had delivered absolute chaotic entertainment.
Montenegro would pull a goal back through Nikola Krstović on 73 minutes after Cymru had squandered chances to extend their lead at the other end, but they held firm to claim maximum points. “I’m extremely proud,” said Bellamy. “These are the toughest conditions I’ve been in. Nothing about coming here has been easy. You could have had a lot of excuses about this trip. The change of venue, the travel here, a bus driver who took his time, the conditions. But sometimes you learn from it.
“There is a reason why this group have qualified for major tournaments. It wasn’t a football match. The conditions weren’t going to allow it. I couldn’t even wear trainers here and my summer bomber jacket is gone! We saw after five minutes the pitch tore up and then it becomes about who can win the battle. It was close at times. If it was a boxing match, there were two teams out on their feet and we came out on top. Sometimes you take more pride from these wins.”
Four points from a possible six is a healthy return, but it’s the nature of the two performances that have made the Red Wall optimistic about the short and long-term future under Bellamy. His players have adapted well to the dynamic tactical shift that he and his staff have instilled in them during this first camp and deserve credit for that, while the two very different challenges presented two them have been dealt with effectively well.
We may not see the bomber jacket again until Spring, but we will see a style of football not set to go out of fashion anytime soon.
