{"id":96178,"date":"2023-11-17T01:24:56","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T01:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=96178"},"modified":"2023-11-17T01:24:56","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T01:24:56","slug":"wales-boss-rob-page-insists-everyone-is-on-the-same-page","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/soccer\/wales-boss-rob-page-insists-everyone-is-on-the-same-page\/","title":{"rendered":"Wales boss Rob Page insists everyone is 'on the same page'"},"content":{"rendered":"
From the brink of the sack to the edge of history in the space of a few weeks. One of Rob Page\u2019s strengths is his level-headed manner but even he must be surprised at how his status as Wales manager has changed so dramatically in such a short time.<\/p>\n
Victory in Armenia on Saturday and against Turkey in Cardiff three days later will ensure Wales qualify for their third successive major tournament \u2013 an unprecedented achievement and proof of how one result can alter the course of a manager\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
Ever since Wales\u2019 disappointing World Cup campaign a year ago, Page\u2019s future has been in doubt, with the Welsh FA assessing possible replacements.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked more vulnerable than ever when chief executive Noel Mooney gave an extraordinary interview before the friendly against Gibraltar in Wrexham on October 11, in which he intimated Page\u2019s position was under review.<\/p>\n
Mooney could not have known it, but his comments were an unexpected masterstroke. The players were furious and rallied around Page, who remains hugely popular within the squad.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Wales boss Rob Page has gone from brink of the sack to the edge of history in a few weeks<\/p>\n
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His team promptly beat Croatia 2-1 to take control of their own destiny. Suddenly Page \u2013 emotional after the game \u2013 was looking as secure as he had for some time and Mooney was facing the awkward questions, with\u00a0Ben Davies and Harry Wilson criticising his remarks publicly.<\/p>\n
Yet if Wales blunder once more against Armenia or Turkey and are beaten to second place by Croatia, the tables could turn again on Page, even though he would almost certainly take charge of any play-off matches and remains under contract until 2026.<\/p>\n
Page and Mooney held talks earlier this month which the chief executive described as \u2018positive and productive\u2019.<\/p>\n
Page said: \u2018There were things said that needed to be said and we all want the same outcome. We all want to be successful for Wales and win games of football and qualify for major tournaments.<\/p>\n
\u2018There’s a process that goes along with that, in terms of introducing these young players, and everybody understands that. We know what’s needed for the future.\u2019<\/p>\n
Page accepted that Mooney\u2019s remarks had been \u2018unnecessary\u2019 but added: \u2018We’re in a great place and full focus is now all on the football so I don’t want to waste any more time speaking about it, we’ve dealt with it.<\/p>\n
\u2018We’re all on the same page. We all know what we’ve got to do. It’d be disrespectful from me now if I continue to keep talking about it to the players. Let’s just focus on the players and let them get on with their job of winning games.\u2019<\/p>\n
Wales had been in a slump since the retirement of Gareth Bale after the World Cup but the win over Croatia revived a nation. Midfielder Jordan James went toe to toe with Luka Modric and came out on top and, at 19, looks set to be a key figure for his country for at least a decade.<\/p>\n
James played alongside Jude Bellingham at youth level for Birmingham and though it is unfair to compare any British prospect with the Real Madrid superstar, James has an exciting future.<\/p>\n
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Players rallied around Page and\u00a0promptly beat Croatia 2-1 to take control of their own destiny<\/p>\n
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Harry Wilson opened the scoring as Wales secured a crucial win against the Croats\u00a0<\/p>\n
Though Aaron Ramsey is still out injured, Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson returns after scoring his first goal for his new club in their 2-1 defeat at Wolves.<\/p>\n
In Ramsey\u2019s absence, Davies retains the armband. The Spurs defender is an unassuming character but certainly finds his voice on international duty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He gave an impromptu speech on the pitch immediately after the Croatia win and urged his team-mates to find similar spirit in Yerevan on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u2018We never stopped believing,’ he said. \u2018The mindset we’ve got is we can get a result against anyone. We’ve shown that. The speech was just a case of showing the reason why we’re here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘It was backs against the walls stuff, it was showing that people doubted us again but we’re still standing. We’re standing up against the challenges and here we are with two games to go, still in the fight.\u2019<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n