Gareth Bale scored in Wales’ win over Slovakia in their Euro 2016 opener. “Bale has had a great season and scored a great goal (against Slovakia)”. “We don’t have to rattle cages, they know what the atmosphere will be like, they have to be ice cold in their thinking and stick to a game plan”, Coleman told a news conference on Monday.
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However, he said Wales’ team ethic, not his own performance, is all that matters in a game he describes as a derby.
“This is about Wales”, he said.
Coach Chris Coleman, whose decision to introduce Robson-Kanu gave Wales late impetus, said he would stick with the same overall approach for the crunch match with England in Lens on Thursday.
“He is the biggest threat for Wales, but I don’t think we will go out and man-mark him”.
After declaring the goal one of his “best moments” in soccer, he added: “I would have taken a win, with anyone else scoring”.
Hodgson has hinted he will review England’s system, having fielded a new-look starting XI in the first game, featuring recalls for Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling with the former more successful than the latter – and captain Wayne Rooney playing in midfield for the first time in his long worldwide career.
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere responded to Bale’s comments by saying England have a better squad. Every single person worked as hard as they could, I think you saw that.
“Although we’ve won the World Cup we’ve never won the Euros so that’s obviously something Roy might put in his team talk”.
“It would be devastating [to get kicked out]”.
Wales arrived at Euro as an eminently likeable team, having qualified for the tournament for the first time in the country’s history. For us as a team, as a camp, we don’t look into it.
Despite that, and the presence of Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale in the Welsh side, double European Cup victor Shilton remains convinced Roy Hodgson’s side have the overall superiority in the Group B clash.
“For Hal to get the victor was incredible”, Bale said.
“I think we’ve got a good team, a good solid team and I’m sure it will be a fascinating game”.
Wales have not beaten England in 32 years but Bale insists the gap between the two nations has narrowed in recent years. I really don’t care what they say to be honest.
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“We will see if he can come through a training session and be able to participate in game on Thursday”.
