Connor Roberts: Wales will go toe-to-toe with any team under Craig Bellamy
Monday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Brussels marks the 12-month anniversary of their last defeat – a 4-0 beating in Slovakia that marked the end of the Page era.
Connor Roberts, left, says Wales' mindset has radically changed under Craig Bellamy (Nigel French/PA)
Bellamy has embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run since taking charge – by far the best start of any Wales manager – and has promised to go on the attack against group favourites Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium.
'Yes. Straightforward answer,' Roberts said when asked if Wales were profiting from a mindset change under Bellamy.
'The manager has come in – and obviously I know him from his time at Burnley – and we will go toe-to-toe with any team.
'I'm not saying we'll win every single game but one thing is for sure, we are one as a team.
Bellamy extended his unbeaten start as Wales manager to nine games on Friday (Adam Davy/PA)
'As the Wales national team, we will give everything, and do the right things to try and win every game we play.'
Former Wales captain Bellamy has spoken at length about the demanding playing style he has introduced since his appointment last July.
It is a high-pressing and high-energy possession game with the aim to dominate possession and win the ball back as soon as it is lost.
Roberts said: 'It's massively enjoyable for everyone. None more so than me having been here quite a while, and trying to play the way I know how to after being at Burnley.
'If you win games and put in good performances you will enjoy it.'
Wales moved clear at the top of Group J after beating Liechtenstein 3-0 in Cardiff on Friday.
Goals from Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore completed a routine victory after Liechtenstein, ranked 205th out of the 210 teams in world football, had held out for 39 minutes.
Wales hold a two-point lead from North Macedonia after taking seven points from their opening three World Cup qualifiers.
Joe Rodon, centre, scored his first Wales goal against Liechtenstein (Nigel French/PA)
Belgium began their campaign on Friday with a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia after conceding a late equaliser.
Roberts said: 'We just have to concentrate on ourselves, go into every game to try and win, and that will be exactly the same against Belgium.
'Of course it's a big switch (from playing against Liechtenstein) but we have to keep being ourselves and not change.
'Why can't we go there and dominate and put in a really good performance? That is the aim, that is the plan, and hopefully we can achieve that.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
39 minutes ago
- Telegraph
England player ratings: Madueke the pick of a bad bunch against Andorra
England remain unbeaten in World Cup qualifying following a 1-0 victory against Andorra who are bottom of Group K. Captain Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game, thanks to a Noni Madueke assist. The Chelsea winger was England's best player on the night, but who else impressed? Jordan Pickford Had nothing to do apart from keep his concentration. No saves to make in the end for the England No1, who has Dean Henderson pushing for starts. 6 Curtis Jones Started at right-back but was 'inverted', playing in central midfield when England won possession. Had a shot blocked in the first half. 5 Ezri Konsa Part of a back-three when England had the ball and only had to keep position as Andorra were not interested in attacking. 6 Dan Burn Guilty of giving the ball away trying to bring the ball out of defence. Was not troubled by Andorra's attack, obviously, but could have shown more. 4 Reece James Found himself as a third centre-back for much of the time, rather than raiding down the flank. Is an option for Tuchel at left-back now. 5 Jude Bellingham 'Home' game for the Spanish-based midfielder but he could not impose himself on the game. With the Club World Cup coming up, this game was not really needed in his schedule. 5 Jordan Henderson Making his first start for England since Nov 2023, he was the only holding midfielder and had a disciplined role. Tried to carry the ball forward. 5 Morgan Rogers Looked to carry the ball forward but found his paths blocked off as he cut in from the right flank. Tuchel clearly likes him from opening three games. 5 Morgan Rogers 🔥 @England | @AVFCOfficial — ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 7, 2025 Cole Palmer Deployed as one of Tuchel's No10s but struggled to create chances for team-mates or himself as space was so tight in the areas he likes to operate in. 4 Noni Madueke Set up Kane's opener with a scuffed cross across the face of the goal. Earlier had shot from edge of the area saved. 6 England goal number 7️⃣2️⃣ for @HKane ⚽️🏴 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 Harry Kane Scored from close range for his 72nd international goal, breaking the deadlock to the relief of England fans. Missed from six yards earlier. 5 Substitutes Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Jones 61) Eberichi Eze (for Palmer 65) Declan Rice (for Jones 81) Anthony Gordon (for Rogers 81) Morgan Gibbs-White (Bellingham 90) Subs not used Henderson (g), Trafford (g), Walker, Colwill, Toney, Lewis-Skelly, Chalobah.
Scottish Sun
39 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
England player ratings: Noni Madueke and Curtis Jones best of a bad bunch with Reece James totally looking lost on left
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NONI MADUEKE was determined to get England over the line during their laboured 1-0 win against Andorra in the World Cup qualifiers. Harry Kane notched his 72nd goal for his country and Thomas Tuchel went rogue by starting Curtis Jones in right-back to make room for 34-year-old Jordan Henderson in the middle. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 12 England star Jude Bellingham laboured to a 1-0 draw against Andorra Credit: Getty 12 An uneventful first half saw the Three Lions BOOED off in the near empty RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. Kane, who poked wide in the first 30 minutes, finally found a breakthrough when he smashed in Chelsea winger Madueke's quick low cross five minutes after the break. But there's reasons for concerns and holiday-mode England struggled to break down the home side's bus-parking tactics - weeks after Albania put three goals away against Andorra. However, Tuchel became the first England manager to win his first three games in charge, without conceding a single goal as his side remains top of Group K. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS BELL OF THE BALL Bellingham's girlfriend Ashlyn spotted in stands with England star's mum Here SunSport's Charlie Wyett rates and slates the England players from sunny Spain. Jordan Pickford - 5 As expected, a bystander in goal and Tuchel should have given James Trafford a debut. 12 Ezri Konsa - 5 Aston Villa star looks to be England's first-choice central defender and he will not get an easier game than this. 12 Dan Burn - 4 It is now obvious that Tuchel loves the Newcastle defender and he has got a very good chance of going to the World Cup although some of his passing was dreadful. The likes of Harry Maguire and Eric Dier must be peed off. 12 Reece James - 4 Just 24 hours after James said his best position was right-back, Thomas Tuchel played him at left-back. He did not look that comfortable. He also produced a terrible delivery at a free-kick near the end. 12 Curtis Jones - 6 Played as an inverted right-back so had plenty of licence to get forward. Played a part in the opening goal with a clever pass to Kane. 12 Jude Bellingham - 5 Had the first shot of the game after 56 seconds but did not cause too many problems in his offensive midfield role. Jordan Henderson - 5 Cap no 84 for the Ajax midfielder although this was his first start since November 2023. You can see why Tuchel wants a player of his experience but he did not have much influence here 12 Morgan Rogers - 5 Delivered some silky skills which caused Andorra a few problems but lacked an end product. 12 Cole Palmer - 6 Has been on fire in training during the week in Girona but did not really get involved although saw plenty of the ball. 12 Noni Madueke - 7 England's best player although should have scored in injury-time. Was particularly bright in the first half and played a part in the opening goal. 12 Harry Kane - 6 Missed a couple of chances but finally got his goal shortly into the second. It was his 450th career goal. 12 SUBS Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Henderson,64) -5 Eberechi Eze (for Palmer,65)- 5 Declan Rice (for Jones, 80)- 5 Anthony Gordon(for Rogers, 80) - 5 Morgan Gibbs-White (for Bellingham, 90+1) - 5 Subs not used: D Henderson, Trafford, Walker, Colwill, Toney, Lewis-Skelly, Chalobah.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Kane spares England's blushes against Andorra
BARCELONA, June 7 (Reuters) - A lacklustre England laboured to a 1-0 away win against Andorra to maintain their 100% start to World Cup qualification campaign with captain Harry Kane's second-half goal sparing their blushes on Saturday. On a sultry afternoon in Barcelona, Kane's scrambled effort shortly after the interval was all that separated Thomas Tuchel's team of Premier League household names with the side sitting 173rd in the world rankings. As expected, England dominated possession but were short of the quality expected with only Chelsea winger Noni Madueke managing to impress in an instantly forgettable match. England secured the win, however, and sit comfortably top of Group K with three wins from three.
