" Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Sun Jun 14, 2015 10:54 am
Wales 1-0 Belgium: Chris Coleman took the flak in troubled times, now he deserves the credit for this transformation
Sunday 14th June 2015
BY CHRIS WATHAN
Just three years ago the Wales boss looked bereft after his side were beaten at home by Belgium, now he looks every inch an international manager
It is September 2012 and Wales have just played Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium.
What was supposed to have been a chance of a big step towards the major finals dream has been ruthlessly and routinely taken away.
Chris Coleman, in his first competitive fixture as Wales boss, does not look comfortable as an international manager and his words fail to inspire confidence.
The former defender, a popular figure but not a universally popular appointment, has spent a feisty press conference defending the indefensible actions of James Collins whose reckless and naive challenge earned a red card after 26 minutes.
Belgium, totally dominant, win 2-0. Coleman opts to blame the referee, talks about earning the right to play, about being more direct and already there’s an air of concern at the direction the team are taking.
The road leads to Serbia and a 6-1 hammering four days later. The rise of expectation the previous year has fallen flat and the dream has gone.
Now it is June 2015, and Wales have just played Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium.
The chance of a big step towards the major finals dream has been ruthlessly taken by the hosts and Coleman looks every inch the international manager, his words after the final whistle the right blend of confidence, celebration and of caution.
There is no doubt about the direction the team are taking with the road leading to the European Championships.
The two games, two markedly different points in the history of the national side, came to mind as Coleman discussed how the Belgium, beaten by Gareth Bale’s goal on Friday night, were an improved team to the one that so easily crushed Welsh hopes less than three years ago.
The implication from that judgement then is that Wales have improved at an even faster rate during Coleman’s tenure.
Serbia was mentioned too as Coleman spoke briefly of the criticism he has faced in the role, about how the fingers were pointed only at him while others have shared the praise for the recent success.
He stopped short of crowing, as tempting as it might have been after such a result.
And he was right to do so because criticism of Coleman in those early days was valid, just as praise of him now is undoubtedly due.
That praise has come because of the improvements he has made as a manager in every conceivable department.
There can be no hiding from the fact the team were looking lost in his early time in charge.
The circumstances of taking over from Gary Speed were horrendous, not fully appreciated then and perhaps even not now.
It is September 2012 and Wales have just played Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium.
What was supposed to have been a chance of a big step towards the major finals dream has been ruthlessly and routinely taken away.
Chris Coleman, in his first competitive fixture as Wales boss, does not look comfortable as an international manager and his words fail to inspire confidence.
The former defender, a popular figure but not a universally popular appointment, has spent a feisty press conference defending the indefensible actions of James Collins whose reckless and naive challenge earned a red card after 26 minutes.
Belgium, totally dominant, win 2-0. Coleman opts to blame the referee, talks about earning the right to play, about being more direct and already there’s an air of concern at the direction the team are taking.
The road leads to Serbia and a 6-1 hammering four days later. The rise of expectation the previous year has fallen flat and the dream has gone.
Now it is June 2015, and Wales have just played Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium.
The chance of a big step towards the major finals dream has been ruthlessly taken by the hosts and Coleman looks every inch the international manager, his words after the final whistle the right blend of confidence, celebration and of caution.
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There is no doubt about the direction the team are taking with the road leading to the European Championships.
The two games, two markedly different points in the history of the national side, came to mind as Coleman discussed how the Belgium, beaten by Gareth Bale’s goal on Friday night, were an improved team to the one that so easily crushed Welsh hopes less than three years ago.
The implication from that judgement then is that Wales have improved at an even faster rate during Coleman’s tenure.
Serbia was mentioned too as Coleman spoke briefly of the criticism he has faced in the role, about how the fingers were pointed only at him while others have shared the praise for the recent success.
He stopped short of crowing, as tempting as it might have been after such a result.
And he was right to do so because criticism of Coleman in those early days was valid, just as praise of him now is undoubtedly due.
That praise has come because of the improvements he has made as a manager in every conceivable department.
There can be no hiding from the fact the team were looking lost in his early time in charge.
The circumstances of taking over from Gary Speed were horrendous, not fully appreciated then and perhaps even not now.
Players hid their true emotions well but have since admitted the transition following such tragedy effectively meant that World Cup campaign was written off before it began.
There appeared to be tension where that had been togetherness and more of a tolerance of Coleman than anything else.
Coleman began to realise he would not last trying to continue in the same vein, and so began to move away from trying to ape his late friend’s style.
He installed Ashley Williams as captain after Aaron Ramsey had looked so weighed down by the burden in Novi Sad.
A flash of genius from Bale against Scotland bought time but the first signs of genuine improvement came in a home friendly against Austria when Wales showed that they could still play. There was then an impressive win in Scotland before narrow defeat to Croatia.
Slowly, Wales were catching up to where they had been before Speed’s death, Coleman starting to offer signs of progress.
But then a nothing game with Ireland slowed that, the passport farce and attempted mind games in Macedonia seeing an end of patience.
A public row with Collins followed as did a comprehensive beating by Serbia and, with his contract still not decided upon it seemed that if a corner had been turned it was only leading to more blind alleys.
Yet while the manager faced the flak, the players had been fairly united in their support of him.
As they beat Macedonia at home and finished the group with a draw in Brussels playing the kind of game that suited the stars on show but with a growing steel too, there was greater promise and the players sensed it.
It grew further in friendlies, even if few were bothered to acknowledge it or turn up to watch it, and Bale’s new status added some star power.
By the time they went to the Netherlands for an end-of-season friendly a year ago, where they looked as tactically aware as a team as they had looked inept in Serbia, the unity in the squad was already clear – as was Coleman’s growth as a manager.
In Amsterdam players had spoken of how he had kept the best of what Speed had introduced while becoming strong enough to dismiss what hadn't worked.
Standards of preparation had increased, the sports science and analysis had improved to meet the levels demanded by Premier League stars and the clubs that employ them.
Coleman had overseen all that and created a management team with ownership from all to give a greater club feel to things.
Tactically, Wales had begun to understand what was required from their manager and his coaches.
Players spoke of Coleman’s leadership qualities, of how he was a man they wanted to play for and were eager to listen to.
Yet his greatest leadership attribute was letting others take their lead, accepting the experience of young players and back-up staff and taking it on board.
David Davies/PA WireWales fans celebrate after the game during the UEFA European Championship Qualifying match at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
The appointment of a sports psychologist, Coleman said, was the missing piece of the jigsaw last summer and the focus and mentality of the squad now suggests his assessment was right.
The message in front of the cameras is not spun, it is an actual belief and a strong mindset that has helped Wales come through games when they have been below their best.
They haven’t played well all the way through this campaign. They were particularly poor with their passing at times on Friday but they now have a mentality that brings them through.
Coleman has grown in confidence to make big tactical and selection calls.
Had they failed he would have found himself in the firing line but he was prepared to put himself in that position if he felt the team and the game needed it.
He has created an adaptable team, one that can pass or go direct for quick counters when needed, who can press hard and high or who can sit in a low block and be confident in their organisation.
None of this has happened by accident.
It was notable Bale’s almost apologetic words to Coleman as he came off with two minutes to saying he couldn’t give any more, as if the match-winner needed to be sorry for anything.
It was just as notable that it was Coleman and the rest of the front-line staff who Bale first raced to in celebration at the final whistle.
It would be re-writing history to say Coleman hasn’t made mistakes on this road, but he has done the key thing – he’s learned from them, he’s improved because of them.
And the side has improved as a result.
He looks every inch the international manager – and he deserves the praise for it.
Sunday 14th June 2015
BY CHRIS WATHAN
Just three years ago the Wales boss looked bereft after his side were beaten at home by Belgium, now he looks every inch an international manager
It is September 2012 and Wales have just played Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium.
What was supposed to have been a chance of a big step towards the major finals dream has been ruthlessly and routinely taken away.
Chris Coleman, in his first competitive fixture as Wales boss, does not look comfortable as an international manager and his words fail to inspire confidence.
The former defender, a popular figure but not a universally popular appointment, has spent a feisty press conference defending the indefensible actions of James Collins whose reckless and naive challenge earned a red card after 26 minutes.
Belgium, totally dominant, win 2-0. Coleman opts to blame the referee, talks about earning the right to play, about being more direct and already there’s an air of concern at the direction the team are taking.
The road leads to Serbia and a 6-1 hammering four days later. The rise of expectation the previous year has fallen flat and the dream has gone.
Now it is June 2015, and Wales have just played Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium.
The chance of a big step towards the major finals dream has been ruthlessly taken by the hosts and Coleman looks every inch the international manager, his words after the final whistle the right blend of confidence, celebration and of caution.
There is no doubt about the direction the team are taking with the road leading to the European Championships.
The two games, two markedly different points in the history of the national side, came to mind as Coleman discussed how the Belgium, beaten by Gareth Bale’s goal on Friday night, were an improved team to the one that so easily crushed Welsh hopes less than three years ago.
The implication from that judgement then is that Wales have improved at an even faster rate during Coleman’s tenure.
Serbia was mentioned too as Coleman spoke briefly of the criticism he has faced in the role, about how the fingers were pointed only at him while others have shared the praise for the recent success.
He stopped short of crowing, as tempting as it might have been after such a result.
And he was right to do so because criticism of Coleman in those early days was valid, just as praise of him now is undoubtedly due.
That praise has come because of the improvements he has made as a manager in every conceivable department.
There can be no hiding from the fact the team were looking lost in his early time in charge.
The circumstances of taking over from Gary Speed were horrendous, not fully appreciated then and perhaps even not now.
It is September 2012 and Wales have just played Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium.
What was supposed to have been a chance of a big step towards the major finals dream has been ruthlessly and routinely taken away.
Chris Coleman, in his first competitive fixture as Wales boss, does not look comfortable as an international manager and his words fail to inspire confidence.
The former defender, a popular figure but not a universally popular appointment, has spent a feisty press conference defending the indefensible actions of James Collins whose reckless and naive challenge earned a red card after 26 minutes.
Belgium, totally dominant, win 2-0. Coleman opts to blame the referee, talks about earning the right to play, about being more direct and already there’s an air of concern at the direction the team are taking.
The road leads to Serbia and a 6-1 hammering four days later. The rise of expectation the previous year has fallen flat and the dream has gone.
Now it is June 2015, and Wales have just played Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium.
The chance of a big step towards the major finals dream has been ruthlessly taken by the hosts and Coleman looks every inch the international manager, his words after the final whistle the right blend of confidence, celebration and of caution.
'We've come too far to lose it now!' Wales captain reveals the emotive contents of his post-match huddle speech
Better than beating Italy! Why Wales' win over Belgium eclipses Azzurri victory as our finest football moment
Wales could rise above old foe England in FIFA rankings after stunning Belgium triumph
There is no doubt about the direction the team are taking with the road leading to the European Championships.
The two games, two markedly different points in the history of the national side, came to mind as Coleman discussed how the Belgium, beaten by Gareth Bale’s goal on Friday night, were an improved team to the one that so easily crushed Welsh hopes less than three years ago.
The implication from that judgement then is that Wales have improved at an even faster rate during Coleman’s tenure.
Serbia was mentioned too as Coleman spoke briefly of the criticism he has faced in the role, about how the fingers were pointed only at him while others have shared the praise for the recent success.
He stopped short of crowing, as tempting as it might have been after such a result.
And he was right to do so because criticism of Coleman in those early days was valid, just as praise of him now is undoubtedly due.
That praise has come because of the improvements he has made as a manager in every conceivable department.
There can be no hiding from the fact the team were looking lost in his early time in charge.
The circumstances of taking over from Gary Speed were horrendous, not fully appreciated then and perhaps even not now.
Players hid their true emotions well but have since admitted the transition following such tragedy effectively meant that World Cup campaign was written off before it began.
There appeared to be tension where that had been togetherness and more of a tolerance of Coleman than anything else.
Coleman began to realise he would not last trying to continue in the same vein, and so began to move away from trying to ape his late friend’s style.
He installed Ashley Williams as captain after Aaron Ramsey had looked so weighed down by the burden in Novi Sad.
A flash of genius from Bale against Scotland bought time but the first signs of genuine improvement came in a home friendly against Austria when Wales showed that they could still play. There was then an impressive win in Scotland before narrow defeat to Croatia.
Slowly, Wales were catching up to where they had been before Speed’s death, Coleman starting to offer signs of progress.
But then a nothing game with Ireland slowed that, the passport farce and attempted mind games in Macedonia seeing an end of patience.
A public row with Collins followed as did a comprehensive beating by Serbia and, with his contract still not decided upon it seemed that if a corner had been turned it was only leading to more blind alleys.
Yet while the manager faced the flak, the players had been fairly united in their support of him.
As they beat Macedonia at home and finished the group with a draw in Brussels playing the kind of game that suited the stars on show but with a growing steel too, there was greater promise and the players sensed it.
It grew further in friendlies, even if few were bothered to acknowledge it or turn up to watch it, and Bale’s new status added some star power.
By the time they went to the Netherlands for an end-of-season friendly a year ago, where they looked as tactically aware as a team as they had looked inept in Serbia, the unity in the squad was already clear – as was Coleman’s growth as a manager.
In Amsterdam players had spoken of how he had kept the best of what Speed had introduced while becoming strong enough to dismiss what hadn't worked.
Standards of preparation had increased, the sports science and analysis had improved to meet the levels demanded by Premier League stars and the clubs that employ them.
Coleman had overseen all that and created a management team with ownership from all to give a greater club feel to things.
Tactically, Wales had begun to understand what was required from their manager and his coaches.
Players spoke of Coleman’s leadership qualities, of how he was a man they wanted to play for and were eager to listen to.
Yet his greatest leadership attribute was letting others take their lead, accepting the experience of young players and back-up staff and taking it on board.
David Davies/PA WireWales fans celebrate after the game during the UEFA European Championship Qualifying match at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
The appointment of a sports psychologist, Coleman said, was the missing piece of the jigsaw last summer and the focus and mentality of the squad now suggests his assessment was right.
The message in front of the cameras is not spun, it is an actual belief and a strong mindset that has helped Wales come through games when they have been below their best.
They haven’t played well all the way through this campaign. They were particularly poor with their passing at times on Friday but they now have a mentality that brings them through.
Coleman has grown in confidence to make big tactical and selection calls.
Had they failed he would have found himself in the firing line but he was prepared to put himself in that position if he felt the team and the game needed it.
He has created an adaptable team, one that can pass or go direct for quick counters when needed, who can press hard and high or who can sit in a low block and be confident in their organisation.
None of this has happened by accident.
It was notable Bale’s almost apologetic words to Coleman as he came off with two minutes to saying he couldn’t give any more, as if the match-winner needed to be sorry for anything.
It was just as notable that it was Coleman and the rest of the front-line staff who Bale first raced to in celebration at the final whistle.
It would be re-writing history to say Coleman hasn’t made mistakes on this road, but he has done the key thing – he’s learned from them, he’s improved because of them.
And the side has improved as a result.
He looks every inch the international manager – and he deserves the praise for it.
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:53 am
100%. He fully deserves credit and support for the players turnaround also picking up the ropes after what happened to poor Speedo
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:36 pm
Managers get all the blame when things go wrong. They are the first in the firing line, not the players.
Therefore, when things are going as right as they can, consistently, they deserve the credit 100%.
He has some big egos to massage too. In money terms, this must be the most valuable squads ever for Wales (even taking into account inflation, etc.).
Yet Coleman has managed to keep the camp happy and the camaraderie is obvious to see.
The scenes at the end of the match Friday just said it all.
This is a team, united.
Who is responsible?
Coleman!!!
Therefore, when things are going as right as they can, consistently, they deserve the credit 100%.
He has some big egos to massage too. In money terms, this must be the most valuable squads ever for Wales (even taking into account inflation, etc.).
Yet Coleman has managed to keep the camp happy and the camaraderie is obvious to see.
The scenes at the end of the match Friday just said it all.
This is a team, united.
Who is responsible?
Coleman!!!
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:45 pm
One million percent. As everyone knows I was his worst critic and I have never been so happy to eat humble pie
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:52 pm
Military Junta wrote:One million percent. As everyone knows I was his worst critic and I have never been so happy to eat humble pie
Delicious isn't it? Lol.
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:54 pm
Woodville Willie wrote:Military Junta wrote:One million percent. As everyone knows I was his worst critic and I have never been so happy to eat humble pie
Delicious isn't it? Lol.
After spending thousands over the years watching Wales home and away I'm f*cking glad to eat it. Lol
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Mon Jun 15, 2015 5:39 am
Military Junta wrote:Woodville Willie wrote:Military Junta wrote:One million percent. As everyone knows I was his worst critic and I have never been so happy to eat humble pie
Delicious isn't it? Lol.
After spending thousands over the years watching Wales home and away I'm f*cking glad to eat it. Lol
Me too!!
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:37 am
I think it was only right for our performances at the start of Coleman's reign to be criticised. Even as recently as the Andorra performance. We got the tactics totally wrong. He's seen the problems though and addressed them. Credit where it's due.
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:43 am
After all's said and done they got the result we hoped for. But they didn't play all that well. Taylor and Allen were very poor and Robson-Kanu is limited to say the least.
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Tue Jun 16, 2015 5:01 pm
Colourblind wrote:After all's said and done they got the result we hoped for. But they didn't play all that well. Taylor and Allen were very poor and Robson-Kanu is limited to say the least.
Are you letting club rivalry cloud your judgement? You criticised Taylor in another thread (when he was actually very good), and now you're saying Allen was poor (a former Swansea player), when in fact, he played well. Much better than Ramsey and Ledley did, yet you neglect to mention them both. Robson-Kanu isn't the greatest attacking player in the world, but he gave it everything he has and did well, considering he was the lone front man. He won the free-kick from which Bale scored through his running and strength against Denayer.
It wasn't the team's best performance in terms of being easy on the eye. If we'd have gone gung-ho, we'd have lost by a few goals, so we had to set up to be compact and organised, which we were. You need to get real if you think any other way would've got us a result. If you want to see a game where we dominate possession, have many chances and score a few goals without reply, then watch the Israel game again.
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:46 pm
Colourblind wrote:After all's said and done they got the result we hoped for. But they didn't play all that well. Taylor and Allen were very poor and Robson-Kanu is limited to say the least.
I agree with you that we were not on top apart from the score for most of the game. However it is harsh to the point of wrong to criticise Allen, Taylor and even Robson-Kanu.
Taylor made several vital blocks and defensive clearances while Allen was an unsung hero in midfield, keeping their threats to a minimum at source. R-Kanu did miss a sitter, but so did Rooney in the England game.
I have to say that the Wales team is much bigger than the sum of its parts. I felt players raised their game in the presence of Rambo and Bale, while Williams was brilliant as captain. Those players have e links to Cardiff and Swansea, but who cares??? They wore the shirt with pride.
Just saying.
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:40 am
If he takes to the finals he will become a hero. Maybe its just past experience but i wont believe it until it happens.
Re: " Now he deserves the credit for this transformation "
Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:40 am
If he takes to the finals he will become a hero. Maybe its just past experience but i wont believe it until it happens.