Craig Bellamy on the identity of his Cymru team

Head coach Craig Bellamy has explained the key principles behind the identity of his Cymru team ahead of final UEFA Nations League fixtures against Türkiye and Iceland as he aims to gain promotion back to League A.

“We have to enjoy the ball,” explained Bellamy in a recent interview with UEFA. “We need to dictate the tempo of the game, and I believe you have a better chance with the ball by doing that. That’s really the identity of the team and really suits how I look at the game. I’ve also brought in staff who share these principles of what we look to set out to do. With the ball, that’s where we find our enjoyment.”

Cymru are undefeated after four competitive games under Bellamy in League B4 and currently sit two points behind Türkiye heading into Saturday’s crucial away match. “We have to make sure we’re really prepared for the opposition and that we have flexibility within the team,” he added. “I believe in players being able to play different roles and being able to adapt on the pitch in different shapes, both with and without the ball. Players should have as many options as possible on the pitch.

“It’s about creating overloads, so they have more passing options. We want to dominate, and I use that word because I’m very strict without the ball. I really want us to win the ball back as quickly as possible. In order to do that, how you set up your lines, how compact you are, how difficult you make it for the opposition to play through you, we want to make that as difficult as possible. Your reactions need to be sharp. I believe the first three yards are everything in football, and we emphasise that within the group. This is what we live by, this is our identity.”

Following his appointment in July, Bellamy promised a high-energy, high-intensity approach, and the performances of his team have not disappointed in that regard. “I believe the game is reasonably quite simple,” he said. “We can complicate stuff as coaches, we can over analyse or be a bit too fearful. I always look at the positives, because I believe it’s the best way to come through any situation.

“The most important part is to be hard working. That is non-negotiable. Now, mistakes, no problem, because whatever player makes a mistake I’ll make way more mistakes as a coach. Now, they understand that, I’ve explained that to them. So they see that honesty from you as well, that we’re in this together. I believe 90 minutes is such a long period with the quality of players you have, something’s bound to happen, but it won’t if you’re not running and working hard for each other.”

Midfielder Joe Allen has reversed his decision to retire from international football to be a part of this new era for Cymru, while Harry Wilson has scored in each of the last three games of the campaign. However, Bellamy is keen to stress that the focus is always on the team and not the individual. “I’m huge on the team structure,” he explained. “Everyone plays a part and that allows the individual to excel. But if you don’t offer for the team, it doesn’t matter how you excel with the ball.

“If you don’t offer for the team without the ball, it’s not going to work. So everyone has a responsibility without the ball, and I believe then it allows the individual to be able to be the player that we believe they are. But, as in building the team around any individual, I don’t see it that way, I feel that’s short term. To qualify, it’s about the whole group, not just the eleven. It’s going to take 20-plus players.”

Bellamy made history by becoming the first Cymru head coach to remain undefeated after his first four games, but appreciates that there will be tougher times ahead. “I’m really satisfied,” he added. “I was prepared for all scenarios. Maybe a slow start – quite common. Maybe a disastrous start – could be quite common as well. But after the first few days I knew these guys were good. They are able to take on board what you are looking for. The way they’ve been able to take it and go forward with it, it’s all credit to them.

“There will be tough moments. I’m waiting for those tough moments, they haven’t quite come yet. I know they are coming, it has to happen, because where I see the goal, where I see us ending, we have to have tough moments to be able to get to that goal. We’ve suffered a little bit in games at certain times and I see that as being quite normal, but I believe that you have to go through that adversity to really be able to improve, to really be able to be a real top team.”