" ASHLEY WILLIAMS "

Wales skipper Ashley Williams is a 'proper leader' who deserves to take on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2016, says Chris Coleman


Monday 15th June 2015


By Chris Wathan

The skipper turned in another impressive performance as he guided Wales to the verge of Euro 2016 qualification during Belgium victory

Chris Coleman has paid a glowing tribute to the leader of his heroic Welsh team, revealing just how Ashley Williams has helped bring the Euro 2016 dreams closer to reality.

And the national boss has insisted it’s Williams’ work as part of an impressive defensive unit that has allowed Gareth Bale to fire Wales to glory.

Bale grabbed his fifth goal from six games in the win over Belgium but the win was ensured with a fourth clean sheet from six games.

Wales have only conceded two all campaign, both from set-pieces, and now Coleman has explained how vital Williams’ part is in that.

“You see the finished product on the field in Ash, but I see him all week – and he’s brilliant to have in the camp,” said Coleman, a former centre-back himself.

“He’s a top player. He’s at a top-eight club in Swansea but you could see if top clubs look at him – I don’t think he wants to leave, he loves it there, but that’s his ability.



“He shows it with us and hopefully he will get to take on players like Ronaldo next summer because he deserves it and has been brilliant for us.

“He’s full of confidence, fearless and he’s a proper leader. Leaders lead when they really need to; he needed to against Belgium and any time the ball went into the box I thought he’s going to head it and be there for us.

“He’s talking to people, throwing himself in front of the opponents and he’s a fantastic captain.

“He’s his own man and I like him because he will say to me if he’s not sure about something. He uses his experience of coming up against these top players he does and offers suggestions about different ideas.

“If he thinks we should be going a slightly different way he’s not afraid to tell me – but then whatever way we go he is all for it.

“That’s a huge positive for us.



“He’s been in the Premier League for some years and been up against the best players and he doesn’t have fear when he plays against good players. He sees it as a challenge and he meets it.”

It also has helped provide a platform for Wales to counter their way to success with a flexible defensive unit – this time with Chris Gunter playing as an emergency third centre-half alongside the continuously impressive James Chester.

And Coleman has insisted it’s that solid foundation, built upon by midfielders Joe Ledley and Joe Allen, that is allowing Bale and creative kingpin Aaron Ramsey to hurt opponents.

“We have only conceded two goals in six games in this campaign; one was a penalty and one was a free-kick here which evaded everyone and went into the corner, so from open play we’ve not conceded any goals,” he said.

“That’s down to everyone. It’s Baley and Rambo doing their defensive duties and that’s why we have had the success we’ve had so far because it’s a group thing, not an individual thing. Baley knows he has to do his defensive duties, so does Rambo but they also have that platform.”

To be fair to him has done an outstanding job on the field galvanising the team and organising the defense. I know people arnt keen on him because he's English but must admit he doing a great job commading the defense.

Pity he can't organise his mate, Taylor. terrible performance by him. And to think Media Wales gave him a 9. Lazy journalism personified.

Pity he can't organise his mate, Taylor. terrible performance by him. And to think Media Wales gave him a 9. Lazy journalism personified.

WHAT !!! what game was you watching I thought he was superb. Or was you thinking he was Andrew Taylor ?

Pity he can't organise his mate, Taylor. terrible performance by him. And to think Media Wales gave him a 9. Lazy journalism personified.

WHAT !!! what game was you watching I thought he was superb. Or was you thinking he was Andrew Taylor ?

Me too. Excellent game, very committed. Won a superb tackle late in the game when Belgium had an overlap on the right but he went to ground and won the ball to avert the danger. A couple of wayward clearances towards the end when they were coming at us in waves but lots of others were guilty of that too as extreme tiredness was setting in.

Taylor was outstanding.

To be fair to him has done an outstanding job on the field galvanising the team and organising the defense. I know people arnt keen on him because he's English but must admit he doing a great job commading the defense.

Totally agree. Although we go on about Bale winning games for us the defense has been outstanding in this campaign so far, and with the addition of Chester who's also English born we look solid at the back.

Pity he can't organise his mate, Taylor. terrible performance by him. And to think Media Wales gave him a 9. Lazy journalism personified.

WHAT !!! what game was you watching I thought he was superb. Or was you thinking he was Andrew Taylor ?

Me too. Excellent game, very committed. Won a superb tackle late in the game when Belgium had an overlap on the right but he went to ground and won the ball to avert the danger. A couple of wayward clearances towards the end when they were coming at us in waves but lots of others were guilty of that too as extreme tiredness was setting in.

Agreed Taylor looked very sharp and stood out for me.

I thought all the defence were excellent bar Richards who I have slight reservations about.

To be fair to him has done an outstanding job on the field galvanising the team and organising the defense. I know people arnt keen on him because he's English but must admit he doing a great job commading the defense.

Totally agree. Although we go on about Bale winning games for us the defense has been outstanding in this campaign so far, and with the addition of Chester who's also English born we look solid at the back.

Although relegated there is talk that a number of prem clubs are in for Chester. Can only be good for Wales to have our players playing in the top leauge.

To be fair to him has done an outstanding job on the field galvanising the team and organising the defense. I know people arnt keen on him because he's English but must admit he doing a great job commading the defense.

Totally agree. Although we go on about Bale winning games for us the defense has been outstanding in this campaign so far, and with the addition of Chester who's also English born we look solid at the back.

Although relegated there is talk that a number of prem clubs are in for Chester. Can only be good for Wales to have our players playing in the top leauge.

I hope a premiership club comes in for him, your right it can only be a good thing for Wales playing at the top