Aaron Ramsey/Gary Speed and Wales

Wales determined to use Gary Speed memory as inspiration - Ramsey

Sep 6 2012

Wales will use the memory of tragic former boss Gary Speed as a major incentive to kick off their 2014 World cup qualifying campaign in winning style.

That is the message from captain Aaron Ramsey, who today insisted Wales must put recent poor form behind them and seize their chance to qualify for a major tournament for the first time in more than 50 years.

Chris Coleman’s side take on highly-rated Belgium in the opening qualifier tomorrow night, nearly 10 months after Speed was found dead at his family home.

And Ramsey admitted the memory of Speed, who appeared to be on the brink of spearheading a successful new era of Welsh football before his untimely death, will drive the team on over the next week.

Wales follow tomorrow night’s match at the Cardiff City Stadium with a trip to Serbia on Tuesday.


“There is an extra incentive because of Gary,” Ramsey said.

“This was our target, this is the first game Gary and the staff were focussed on with the goal to qualify for Rio.

“All the games previous to this were to put us in the best possible shape to go into the campaign full of confidence and actually qualify,

“All the players know that and we are trying our hardest to do it.”

Wales have lost all three of Coleman’s games in charge so far, failing to score a goal against Costa Rica, Mexico and Bosnia.

But Ramsey has told his team-mates they must forget what has come before and concentrate on beating a star-studded Belgian side led by Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.

Ramsey added: “We've had a few poor results of late, but this is the beginning of championship.

“This is where it starts and we have to put those poor performances behind us.

“This was the target right from the beginning.

“We have two games in a short space of time. The worst possible thing would be to drop points and play catch up.

“We want to get into a good position early on and get some good results to get the confidence back.

“If we get a result, the whole group will take notice.

“We have good players and we are a good passing team. We need to do it for longer periods in games.”



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Sadly, I think no matter how much inspiration the memory of Speedo will give the players, the combination of a good Belgian side, injuries to major players and Coleman's likely set up not to lose policy will cost us. I really, really hope I am wrong, but I just can't see us getting anyhting from tomorrow's game.

I lost it with Wales after a Poland home game 2004ish I can't face watching them since

So sad really but it's fu@@ed

That said I wish them all the luck in the world!

It would put Wales on the map if the did well.

That said I wish them all the luck in the world!

It would put Wales on the map if the did well.

Gary Speed rekindled my interest in national team. The appointment of that moaning tw*t Coleman made me give up any hope of qualification.

Tomorrow will be difficult, Tuesday even more so. But what can we do except support Wales (or whoever else our country may be)? The recent performance against Bosnia was dreadful (like against Australia last year). The whole lot of them, including Bellamy, looked totally disinterested. We can have doubts about Coleman, but he himself has said that he would rather not be there. Following on from Gary Speed would have been difficult for anybody. My own view is that we have to support Chris Coleman and the team. Dutch Ray hardly conducted himself well, leaving the FAW with little choice. Osian Roberts is well respected. Would be better if Hartson was not there. But this is Wales at the moment. Still looking forward to it, as always. Let's hope we can get something out of the game. The one thing that we can be certain about is that Gary Speed would be fully behind Wales. As would Mikey Dye. So if anybody is in two minds about going to the game, if at all possible, join us! Come on Wales

This is their way of hiding the horror show they will put on for us. I can see it being done but won't get us anywhere. Coleman is bollock. Speedo will always be remembered for being a great guy and a brilliant Footballer and lifting the expectations of Wales up. I hope someone can replicate that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19510732