" BELLAMY ASKED TO THINK AGAIN. "

Sunday 11th August 2013.


Bellamy suggested in June that the current World Cup campaign would be his last but manager Chris Coleman has asked him to think again

Craig Bellamy has been told by Wales boss Chris Coleman not to make a hasty decision over quitting international football.

Bellamy suggested in June that the current World Cup campaign would be his last, with injuries finally taking their toll on his 34-year-old body and his focus switching solely to help Cardiff City establish themselves in the Premier League.

But Coleman feels the veteran striker still has plenty to offer and “can certainly continue for another two years.”

Coleman – who has named Bellamy in his squad for Wednesday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff – said: “The decision is Craig’s – and Craig’s alone.

“At Craig’s age you know what’s what, what you need to do to keep playing football.

“His future has come up at almost every press conference since I’ve been in the job, but it will be up to Craig what he does. He’s his own man.

“I’ve not had a conversation with Craig about what he wants to do, but I’ll see him this week and maybe that’s a conversation we’ll have.”

During that talk Coleman is certain to impress on Bellamy that Wales are heading in the right direction again after the awful circumstances in which the former Fulham manager got the job.

Gary Speed’s tragic death in November 2011 rocked Welsh football to its core and it took a predominantly young squad time to move on and look to the future.

But Wales appear to be heading in the right direction once more, home and away World Cup wins over Scotland and a rather unfortunate defeat against classy Croatia in their last game in March suggesting a talented group of players could yet flourish on the big stage.

And, with the 2016 European Championship finals being expanded from 16 to 24 teams, there is real hope that Wales could finally qualify for a major tournament after nearly 60 years of trying.

“It will be a shame for Craig to finish this time around in this World Cup group and we get a kinder group next time,” said Coleman.

“He’s got over 70 caps and he’s put the time in, so if he missed out on a successful team it would be a shame for Craig.

“You’re a long time out of it and nowadays the way the players are looked after on the medical side he could go on.

“He won’t be able to play every week but he could certainly play for another couple of years.

“He’s still a fit boy but, as I’ve said, the decision is down to Craig.”

Coleman’s squad for the Cardiff City friendly against Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic contained all his big-hitters, with Bellamy joined by Real Madrid target Gareth Bale and midfielders Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey.

Whether they all arrive in camp tomorrow, of course, is another matter with the Premier League campaign starting on Saturday, but Wayne Hennessey is one player who will be desperate to get there.

The 38-times capped Wolves goalkeeper is set to work with Coleman for the first time after suffering two cruciate knee injuries in the past 18 months.

“Wayne’s had a tough time,” said Coleman.

“To do that injury once is hard – I’ve done it myself – but to do it twice is really tough.

“His mentality has got to be spot-on to get over that and I’m told by the chap in charge of him physically at Wolves that he is in the best shape of his life.

“I was out of the game for 18 months and when you come back you appreciate it more.

“As much as you love football and you think you appreciate it, when it’s taken away from you really appreciate it when you come back.

“Fair play to him, he’s worked really hard to get back and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“He’s still young enough to go pass Neville Southall’s record mark as with another 12 caps he’s got his 50.

“He’s got plenty of ability, he just needs to stay injury-free.”

I'd rather him finish Wales this year. Not at the level he once was and we'll need him to be at his best for the City. He can't play for Wales forever

I'd rather him finish Wales this year. Not at the level he once was and we'll need him to be at his best for the City. He can't play for Wales forever

I agree Jack, it's time to say good bye to Wales.

I Think it's do-able if Coleman uses his barnet and just plays him in the more competitive of games and not for meaningless friendlies. We all now what bellars brings to the table at the end of the day

I'd rather him finish Wales this year. Not at the level he once was and we'll need him to be at his best for the City. He can't play for Wales forever

Totally agree

Craig needs to be considering his club future now and we want him with us for our assault on the Premier League

As people know, I'm not a great Wales FC supporter (club footie is my drug, so to speak) and I don't see what is to be gained from another 'nearly but not quite' campaign. Sad but (likely) true

Come in No.39 your (Wales) time is up!

100% support and respect for Craig in a Cardiff City shirt, though

I'll always support Wales and I enjoy international footy, but it's time for Craig to call it a day. To be honest, if he's on about calling it a day during this campaign, he might as well retire immediately because we're clearly not going to qualify. We've got a bunch of decent midfielders in the Welsh squad, so let them bloom and let Bellers get on with keeping us in the Prem...

I'm hoping he doesn't play Wednesday

He now has a choice Club OR Country

Needs to concentrate on City - Wales going no where - no point risking injury

He now has a choice Club OR Country

Agree but I would fully back him in a coaching role for Wales

Sunday 11th August 2013.


Bellamy suggested in June that the current World Cup campaign would be his last but manager Chris Coleman has asked him to think again

Craig Bellamy has been told by Wales boss Chris Coleman not to make a hasty decision over quitting international football.

Bellamy suggested in June that the current World Cup campaign would be his last, with injuries finally taking their toll on his 34-year-old body and his focus switching solely to help Cardiff City establish themselves in the Premier League.

But Coleman feels the veteran striker still has plenty to offer and “can certainly continue for another two years.”

Coleman – who has named Bellamy in his squad for Wednesday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff – said: “The decision is Craig’s – and Craig’s alone.

“At Craig’s age you know what’s what, what you need to do to keep playing football.

“His future has come up at almost every press conference since I’ve been in the job, but it will be up to Craig what he does. He’s his own man.

“I’ve not had a conversation with Craig about what he wants to do, but I’ll see him this week and maybe that’s a conversation we’ll have.”

During that talk Coleman is certain to impress on Bellamy that Wales are heading in the right direction again after the awful circumstances in which the former Fulham manager got the job.

Gary Speed’s tragic death in November 2011 rocked Welsh football to its core and it took a predominantly young squad time to move on and look to the future.

But Wales appear to be heading in the right direction once more, home and away World Cup wins over Scotland and a rather unfortunate defeat against classy Croatia in their last game in March suggesting a talented group of players could yet flourish on the big stage.

And, with the 2016 European Championship finals being expanded from 16 to 24 teams, there is real hope that Wales could finally qualify for a major tournament after nearly 60 years of trying.

“It will be a shame for Craig to finish this time around in this World Cup group and we get a kinder group next time,” said Coleman.

“He’s got over 70 caps and he’s put the time in, so if he missed out on a successful team it would be a shame for Craig.

“You’re a long time out of it and nowadays the way the players are looked after on the medical side he could go on.

“He won’t be able to play every week but he could certainly play for another couple of years.

“He’s still a fit boy but, as I’ve said, the decision is down to Craig.”

Coleman’s squad for the Cardiff City friendly against Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic contained all his big-hitters, with Bellamy joined by Real Madrid target Gareth Bale and midfielders Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey.

Whether they all arrive in camp tomorrow, of course, is another matter with the Premier League campaign starting on Saturday, but Wayne Hennessey is one player who will be desperate to get there.

The 38-times capped Wolves goalkeeper is set to work with Coleman for the first time after suffering two cruciate knee injuries in the past 18 months.

“Wayne’s had a tough time,” said Coleman.

“To do that injury once is hard – I’ve done it myself – but to do it twice is really tough.

“His mentality has got to be spot-on to get over that and I’m told by the chap in charge of him physically at Wolves that he is in the best shape of his life.

“I was out of the game for 18 months and when you come back you appreciate it more.

“As much as you love football and you think you appreciate it, when it’s taken away from you really appreciate it when you come back.

“Fair play to him, he’s worked really hard to get back and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“He’s still young enough to go pass Neville Southall’s record mark as with another 12 caps he’s got his 50.

“He’s got plenty of ability, he just needs to stay injury-free.”

F OFF coleman

Sunday 11th August 2013.


Bellamy suggested in June that the current World Cup campaign would be his last but manager Chris Coleman has asked him to think again

Craig Bellamy has been told by Wales boss Chris Coleman not to make a hasty decision over quitting international football.

Bellamy suggested in June that the current World Cup campaign would be his last, with injuries finally taking their toll on his 34-year-old body and his focus switching solely to help Cardiff City establish themselves in the Premier League.

But Coleman feels the veteran striker still has plenty to offer and “can certainly continue for another two years.”

Coleman – who has named Bellamy in his squad for Wednesday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff – said: “The decision is Craig’s – and Craig’s alone.

“At Craig’s age you know what’s what, what you need to do to keep playing football.

“His future has come up at almost every press conference since I’ve been in the job, but it will be up to Craig what he does. He’s his own man.

“I’ve not had a conversation with Craig about what he wants to do, but I’ll see him this week and maybe that’s a conversation we’ll have.”

During that talk Coleman is certain to impress on Bellamy that Wales are heading in the right direction again after the awful circumstances in which the former Fulham manager got the job.

Gary Speed’s tragic death in November 2011 rocked Welsh football to its core and it took a predominantly young squad time to move on and look to the future.

But Wales appear to be heading in the right direction once more, home and away World Cup wins over Scotland and a rather unfortunate defeat against classy Croatia in their last game in March suggesting a talented group of players could yet flourish on the big stage.

And, with the 2016 European Championship finals being expanded from 16 to 24 teams, there is real hope that Wales could finally qualify for a major tournament after nearly 60 years of trying.

“It will be a shame for Craig to finish this time around in this World Cup group and we get a kinder group next time,” said Coleman.

“He’s got over 70 caps and he’s put the time in, so if he missed out on a successful team it would be a shame for Craig.

“You’re a long time out of it and nowadays the way the players are looked after on the medical side he could go on.

“He won’t be able to play every week but he could certainly play for another couple of years.

“He’s still a fit boy but, as I’ve said, the decision is down to Craig.”

Coleman’s squad for the Cardiff City friendly against Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic contained all his big-hitters, with Bellamy joined by Real Madrid target Gareth Bale and midfielders Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey.

Whether they all arrive in camp tomorrow, of course, is another matter with the Premier League campaign starting on Saturday, but Wayne Hennessey is one player who will be desperate to get there.

The 38-times capped Wolves goalkeeper is set to work with Coleman for the first time after suffering two cruciate knee injuries in the past 18 months.

“Wayne’s had a tough time,” said Coleman.

“To do that injury once is hard – I’ve done it myself – but to do it twice is really tough.

“His mentality has got to be spot-on to get over that and I’m told by the chap in charge of him physically at Wolves that he is in the best shape of his life.

“I was out of the game for 18 months and when you come back you appreciate it more.

“As much as you love football and you think you appreciate it, when it’s taken away from you really appreciate it when you come back.

“Fair play to him, he’s worked really hard to get back and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“He’s still young enough to go pass Neville Southall’s record mark as with another 12 caps he’s got his 50.

“He’s got plenty of ability, he just needs to stay injury-free.”

F OFF coleman

He's continued to play for them for some time. He's pushed himself too much. A rest from international football will do him the world of good. Coleman's being quite cocky on having a kinder group as well. We can still finish bottom of this group(not being pessimistic) and gain a harder draw.

I hope Bellamy doesn't stay on. He should stick with his decision and end his career at the end of this tournament. He's getting too old to play for both club and country.

Hmmm nobody supports Wales anymore then ? Wales aint gonna get very far if our own fans say f**k off Coleman. If he can Bellers should still play for Wales. He will help the youngsters in the squad. But the real problem with many on here is they find it hard to support wales because Colemans a Jack. It sounds pathetic and it makes City fans seem bitter and twisted.
I speak as I see it

Hmmm nobody supports Wales anymore then ? Wales aint gonna get very far if our own fans say f**k off Coleman. If he can Bellers should still play for Wales. He will help the youngsters in the squad. But the real problem with many on here is they find it hard to support wales because Colemans a Jack. It sounds pathetic and it makes City fans seem bitter and twisted.
I speak as I see it

Hmmm nobody supports Wales anymore then ? Wales aint gonna get very far if our own fans say f**k off Coleman. If he can Bellers should still play for Wales. He will help the youngsters in the squad. But the real problem with many on here is they find it hard to support wales because Colemans a Jack. It sounds pathetic and it makes City fans seem bitter and twisted.
I speak as I see it

Kind of agree with this.

But then again with his injuries he will need to consider his decision.

I always support Coleman despite boycotting Wales but he can be very poor tactically in games. I seen us play well (via highlights on telly) then into the second half he changes it and then it's where we go down hill in games.