When Craig Bellamy speaks, attention follows. His ability to command a touchline, a dressing room, or a stadium full of journalists is undeniable. One of the reasons Wales’s players quickly embraced his ideas is his compelling oratory skills, making his words easy to believe. So, when he emphasized the positives of losing a two-goal lead in Reykjavík on Friday, it was difficult not to take him at his word.
Indeed, there were positives: Bellamy is the first Wales manager to remain undefeated in his first three competitive matches and remains unbeaten halfway through the Nations League. Another noticeable change since Bellamy took charge in the summer is the renewed excitement among supporters, eager to follow Project Bellamy. The 45-year-old modestly acknowledged that September’s games against Turkey and Montenegro “drew a bit more interest.”
Wales has started with vigor in every game under Bellamy, scoring early goals in Iceland after a quick start against Montenegro, whom they host on Monday. In his first game, Turkey was taken aback by Wales’s aggressive, high-energy approach, with Bellamy’s side determined to swarm and ambush the opposition. “Every part of what we do is to score,” Bellamy said. “When our goalkeeper has the ball: how quickly can we get to their goal?”
Bellamy expressed his growing excitement for the job after reuniting with his squad at the Vale Resort near Cardiff. Wales’s play is fun, fresh, adventurous, and thrilling, but not without flaws. Their first-half performance in Iceland was dynamic, while the second half served as a reminder to keep expectations in check. “We’ve scored four goals away from home [under Bellamy], and that’s what we’re about,” said striker Kieffer Moore. “We’re a high-press, high-attacking team, and when we get those chances, it’s exciting. But sometimes it can work against you.”
Wales faded badly, with Oli Cooper’s shot being the only notable action in Iceland’s half after the interval. The end was tense; Ben Cabango prevented an incisive pass to Andri Gudjohnsen, and goalkeeper Danny Ward was booked for time-wasting in stoppage time. Perhaps the lack of match fitness among players at club level this season was a factor; only Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson, with seven goals in his last seven games, is a regular in the top flight.
Harry Wilson and Neco Williams, Wales’s best performers on the night, are bit-part players for Fulham and Nottingham Forest, respectively. Ben Davies, captain in the absence of Aaron Ramsey, has yet to play a minute for Spurs this season. Bellamy is facing familiar challenges.
Bellamy mentioned a light-hearted exchange with Iceland captain Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson, whom he worked with at Burnley, which highlighted why the game slipped away from Wales. Wales’s tired second-half performances have been a recurring issue in this Bellamy era. “Even when he’s moaning, I love him,” Bellamy said. “He was having a go at me about what he did in the second half, how he changed the game. He took pride in telling me the solution at the end of the game… but he was right.”
Iceland, as Bellamy noted, is a capable side with talented youngsters, including 20-year-old Orri Óskarsson, who joined Real Sociedad for €20m in the summer. Despite falling short in qualifying for Euro 2024, losing to Ukraine in the playoffs, they beat England at Wembley in June. Nevertheless, Wales, as Lord Sugar might say, completely lost control of the task. Bellamy is no novice, but these are still early days, which is part of the excitement.
