Chris Coleman: Wales boss not worried by form before Euro 2016
Last updated on .From the section Football
Wales manager Chris Coleman says his side's preparations for Euro 2016 will not be undermined by their recent indifferent form.
Monday's 1-0 friendly defeat by Ukraine in Kiev means Wales have won only one of their past six matches.
But, having qualified for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, Coleman is not concerned about a possible loss of momentum.
"We're going full of positivity, full of confidence," he said.
"The performances have been good."
Wales' only win in their past six games came against Andorra, with defeats by Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Netherlands, and draws with Israel and Northern Ireland.
"Results will be what they are going to be but I think if we're going into a tournament, our first tournament since 1958, and we're worried about momentum, we're looking at it all wrong," said Coleman.
"I think in the last six games you've got to understand who we've played against.
"Bosnia's never going to be easy, the home game against Israel where we absolutely hammered them but couldn't score was an excellent performance.
"The Netherlands at home in a friendly and Northern Ireland and away to Ukraine. Sometimes you can look at stats and get carried away with them."
| Wales' Euro 2016 fixtures |
|---|
| 11 June - Slovakia |
| 16 June - England |
| 20 June - Russia |
'Not do or die'
Wales' defeat by Ukraine was their final match before Coleman selects his squad for Euro 2016.
Coleman was encouraged by his side's performance in Kiev, and emphasised this was not the players' last opportunity to impress him before this summer's tournament in France.
"This wasn't a game that was going to be do or die," he added.
"It wasn't your last chance and if you don't perform you're not coming.
"I thought they gave everything they had. Sometimes you can give too much and lose a bit of quality."
Set-piece concern
The one negative from Coleman's perspective was Ukraine's winner, the second goal in successive games Wales have conceded from a set-piece.
The visitors' defenders were caught off guard from Ruslan Rotan's chipped free-kick, allowing an unmarked Andriy Yarmolenko to turn and score with a low shot.
Four days earlier, Northern Ireland's Craig Cathcart benefited from similarly sloppy Welsh defending to score following a corner.
"The only thing I'm disappointed with is that we conceded both goals from set-plays," said Coleman, whose side conceded only four goals in 10 qualifying matches.
"First of all I must look at myself as a manager and a coach and look to adjust something in the preparation.
"We will look at that because in open play, if you look at our record in the last 15 games, the number of goals we've conceded is not very much.
"I'm not giving any secrets away - the opposition will look at those stats. It's definitely something we need to go and work on."
'Irreplaceable' Allen
While some fringe men were hoping to impress Coleman in Kiev, one established first-team player assured of his place in France is Joe Allen.
The midfielder has featured only sporadically for Liverpool this season but shone against Ukraine with a commanding display.
"Brilliant. You almost want a Joe Allen in front of the back four starting play and a Joe Allen just in behind the striker making the last pass because he's capable of both," said Coleman.
"He's a great player. I don't use that term loosely.
"It's unfortunate that he's not playing enough for Liverpool for his own liking, but that's up to Liverpool. But, for us, the job he does for us, he's irreplaceable."
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Wales has the same population as Birmingham.
It only has 4 professional teams, including one in League 2 and one non league.
There is probably less than 100 Welsh pro footballers.
In qualifying they kept 7 clean sheets in 10 games and World #1 team Belgium failed to score against them twice.
For them to qualify for anything is one hell of an achievement!
As an English fan I hope BOTH sets of supporters show respect for each other - no harm in some chanting and good banter mind . . . .
Lets take a leaf out of both nations' Rugby fans almanac !!
Good luck to Wales - but not on June 16 :o)
To add to comments from 17 GRBD....
Wales still would have qualified regardless of the extra teams qualified in the current format. They came second in the group.
But we're at the Euros! Let's enjoy & make the most of it. Lawrance, Jonny & George Williams have shown promise in bursts; let's get that big tournament experience blooded in & look forward to a golden era.
Competitive matches are all that matter.
Since the point at which Wales secured qualification, the only match that anyone (with any sense) should have been concentrating on is the first match of Euro 2016.
(* Anyone who thinks that the inclusion of friendlies in FIFA rankigs is justified, is an idiot.)
Both games while missing key players and playing fringe squad players.
Anyway just happy to see Wales reach a major tournament in my lifetime and seeing a squad of players playing for each other
Wales & NI have done phenomenally well with ltd resources & small player pools
With him they are a good side with a chance of beating most if he turns up and they get a tad lucky
Without him they are an average side with a decent starting 11 but nothing to really put fear into opponents going forward.
They aren't moaning about how tough their recent opposition has been! They are loving life, enjoying their football and looking to take on every team, a real team, no prima dona's either! They will definitely be my second team at the Euros.