Craig Bellamy: Why are new coach’s Wales tailing off in games?

Bellamy’s mantra when he first walked through the door as Wales head coach was all about forging an identity. A natural-born winner, results were always important – but the pressing priority was about Wales finding themselves as a team.

Meetings, analysis and Bellamy not swaying from what he wants his team to look like have all been geared to a new way of playing.

And, ultimately, players are still getting used to new demands and new instructions.

All during the limited time on camp with their new coach.

So perhaps expecting it to be nailed down for 90 minutes just three games in is just not realistic.

“It’s consistency in the game, that’s what you’re pushing for, to consistently be good with the ball and without the ball,” said Bellamy, who added it is not only about players getting used to the game plan, but also adapting within matches.

He cited players still coming to terms with what he is asking of them and maybe reverting to a default setting when up against it in difficult moments.

“But I see these things as quite normal,” he added.

“We’ve spent a number of meetings since then showing that discipline will allow you to have good habits. Good habits allow you to be consistent and if you’re consistent, then you can grow.

“We’re just in that period at the moment. It’s trying to create that consistency for us in how we see we would like this team to become.”

Ben Davies – captain in the injury absence of Aaron Ramsey – admitted the biggest difference under Bellamy is the style of play.

“We’re trying to dominate with the ball and we’re trying to show that we can be good without it,” said Davies.

“It’s about maintaining those levels. You’ve seen in the games we’ve played that we have tried to start on the front foot, dominate the ball and create as many chances as we can.

“There’s a period of adaptation that’s expected. I feel that it’s gone pretty well and that as a group there’s a lot more to come from us.”