" CHRIS GUNTER "

Gunter: "The whole country is behind us"



Reading FC

Thurs 11th June 2015


Royals full-back Chris Gunter could be a part of something very special on Friday night as Wales host Belgium for a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier in Cardiff.

Speaking to our official matchday programme late last season, our right-back talked openly about a blistering start to the Welsh qualifying campaign so far, the challenge of Belgium that lies in wait, and Chris Coleman's side's chances of making history.

“From now on, the next game will be the biggest," he told 'The Royal' after their vital win in Israel. "After the Belgium game in June, it’ll be the games in September and they’ll just keep getting bigger as it gets closer. But I don’t think there will have been as big a build-up for this Belgium game coming up for years and years.

“The winner of that game could potentially start to think about the prospect of qualification for the European Championships."

So far Wales have picked-up 11 points from their opening five qualifying matches and are locking horns with Belgium at the summit of Group B, separated only by goal difference.

“Right now we feel we can go into any game and play well. We’ve only conceded two goals, both from set plays, in the five games we’ve played so far. So we’ll be going into every game we have left, looking to win. And the Belgium game being at home, we know we’ll have the whole country behind us. It’s going to be a fantastic night.

“For so many years, we’ve said ‘If we were to start a group well…’ If the ball gets rolling, we’re tough to stop, and that’s the way it has proved so far. With every game that goes by the momentum builds. I don’t know how it builds, as players you just get the feeling, there’s something there.

“Even after the second game of the group when we drew with Bosnia in front of a sell-out, we then backed that result up with a win - and when we went away to Belgium we had 3,000 fans in the stadium but we had another 2,000 who had travelled without tickets. Its things like that that give you the feeling that something special could happen."

If Chris Coleman’s side can achieve victory against Marc Wilmots' men tomorrow, then they’ll find themselves three points clear and in pole position for the run-in with a nation-wide belief that they can realise the dream that is the country's first major finals appearance since 1958.

“The talk was about Cardiff and Swansea playing Premier League football, but now if you go back to Wales everyone’s talking about the national team. It’s so good to be involved in it. But as good as it is to be top at this half way stage, we need to make sure we don’t get even remotely carried away.

“As good as it is right now - and you have to enjoy nights like the one in Israel - we still have to focus on the huge amount of work that still has to be done.”

Gunter has played in every minute of the Welsh qualifying matches so far, and another member of the Royals squad, Hal Robson-Kanu, has also played an important part in Wales' campaign so far. Academy graduate midfielder Jake Taylor is also on standby for the game, which kicks off at the Cardiff City Stadium on 7.45pm on Friday.

out of context question, but would many on here take Gunter back playing for us now ? specially after his gesture towards Ninian Stand a few years ago ?

out of context question, but would many on here take Gunter back playing for us now ? specially after his gesture towards Ninian Stand a few years ago ?

He got terrible stick that day and is only human, so yes I would

He's a wanker for what he did. He ruined his relationship with our supporters that day when all we did was welcome him back.

How come his 'welcome' was so different to Ramsey's?

Good player - gives his all

How come his 'welcome' was so different to Ramsey's?

Good player - gives his all

Although I thought the big 'Ramsey Love-in' was well OTT during the Arsenal game, I would ask where did you see Ramsey be anything but courteous and respectful to Cardiff City FC and its supporters??

Gunter thought he'd hit the big-time at Spurs and he made unnecessary pre-match comments before the on-pitch antics, too!

Personally, like Ledley, I wouldn't want Gunter back as a player because he is no longer "one of us!"

I would like to see him back. We gave him stick so he gave it back. In the real world it's called banter. Football fans can be so fickle and two faced at times. If you can't take it back don't give it out

I would like to see him back. We gave him stick so he gave it back. In the real world it's called banter. Football fans can be so fickle and two faced at times. If you can't take it back don't give it out

Agree with that.

I would like to see him back. We gave him stick so he gave it back. In the real world it's called banter. Football fans can be so fickle and two faced at times. If you can't take it back don't give it out

100% agree mate and I'd take him back straight away,gone are the days we produced attacking rightbacks and he's a gd one

You're all missing the point...Gunter was disingenuous in the media BEFORE the game snd compounded it once the game began!

Deserved the 'stick' he got (and continues to get) at the CCS!

You're all missing the point...Gunter was disingenuous in the media BEFORE the game snd compounded it once the game began!

Deserved the 'stick' he got (and continues to get) at the CCS!

And he gave it back Sven so honours even