After a poor World Cup campaign, Rob Page intimated that he might alter his Wales starting lineup to face England on Tuesday and challenged his players to put their “big boy trousers on” and perform well.
Wales failed in Qatar and risk elimination in the group stages unless they defeat England. Even then, other outcomes may not go their way. Wales had only played with purpose once in the tournament, the second half of the 1-1 draw with the USA, and lost to Iran after being outplayed.
Page and the Welsh players know they haven’t delivered, and the manager has challenged them to do so in their last tournament encounter.
Page said, “Absolutely.” This is our hard-earned status.
“My displeasure and sadness for the players are that we’ve shown nothing near the performance standards that led us to this World Cup. That disappoints me.
“We’ve picked them up, addressed it, and drawn a line through the last performance.”
We must play well for our fans regardless of the outcome. I’ll choose a squad to give their all and respond positively.”
Despite Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale underperforming in Qatar, Page has been criticized for not changing his tactics. Their energy levels have left important portions of the pitch missing.
As Wales attempted to frustrate England and match their energy, Page intimated that he might use junior players instead.
Bale and Ramsey playing tournament football four days later is “a difficult ask for anyone in this circumstances,” he remarked. I’ll draught a team that can compete with England, with or without them. Not today.
“If they don’t start, can they possibly have an impact? Playing many games has always been my problem. Can they start another game? I’ll think the same.
They are good players whether they start or come on.
They practice it daily. Training inspires them. We’ll persevere. They’re prepared for tomorrow’s game. We’re all suffering because we’re disappointed that we didn’t do well. We’ll do our best to go and set it right.
“We’re all receiving criticism today and properly so because things aren’t going our way, and that’s the business we’re in. We’re large enough to take it — it’s not an issue. We do our big boy trousers and do it.”
Page said that the tournament’s shocks suggest Wales might win.
“We are suffering as a group because we know we’re better than what we’re presenting,” he added. “That is the incentive we need at the minute. We’re playing England.
England is beatable because this tournament has demonstrated every squad is beatable. They’re the game’s favorites. We have to concentrate on ourselves.
“The gang wants a favourable response and to show our red wall that we are not here to disappoint.
“We have to control our emotions and handle it like every other game and hopefully have a great performance to show our fans.”
Wales face England at 7pm UK time on Tuesday, knowing that only a four-goal victory will qualify them.
