|
|
With Gareth Bale on form Wales have 'every chance' of qualifying for Euro 2012 - Aston Villa defender James Collins
Defender reckons finals appearance will be difficult, but certainly possible...
1 Sep 2010 11:33:00
By Adithya Ananth
James Collins believes that Wales have "every chance" of making it through to the Euro 2012, ahead of the qualifying games that form the pathway to the continental tournament.
The Dragons boss John Toshack has ushered in many young players in recent years, and the Aston Villa defender believes that the squad as a whole is now good enough to get through the qualification phase.
Wales play their opening game against Montenegro on Friday, in a group that also involves Bulgaria, England and Switzerland. And the odds are stacked against the Welshmen, as they are yet to qualify for a major tournament since 1958.
"If you look at the young players and the experience we have got now, we have got every chance [to qualify]," Collins told reporters.
"It is an exciting group of young players to be involved with. "At the start of the last campaign the new boys were coming through but we can't use that as an excuse any more. We have got to start delivering.
"You should enjoy playing football under that pressure. We need to deliver and it is about time we did something in a group.
"Hopefully we can start off on Friday night."
Collins believes youngsters like Gareth Bale could have a huge say in the outcome of the fortunes of the country, as the Tottenham Hotspur man is only 21-years-old - but has already made 24 appearances. And Bale is one among a dozen players in the squad who are 25-years-old or younger.
"Gaz Bale is absolutely cooking at the moment at Tottenham," said the Villa defender, adding: "It does look quite a tough group but the way we have been playing we feel we have got every chance."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The Dragons boss John Toshack has ushered in many young players in recent years, and the Aston Villa defender believes that the squad as a whole is now good enough to get through the qualification phase.
Wales play their opening game against Montenegro on Friday, in a group that also involves Bulgaria, England and Switzerland. And the odds are stacked against the Welshmen, as they are yet to qualify for a major tournament since 1958.
"If you look at the young players and the experience we have got now, we have got every chance [to qualify]," Collins told reporters.
"It is an exciting group of young players to be involved with. "At the start of the last campaign the new boys were coming through but we can't use that as an excuse any more. We have got to start delivering.
"You should enjoy playing football under that pressure. We need to deliver and it is about time we did something in a group.
"Hopefully we can start off on Friday night."
Collins believes youngsters like Gareth Bale could have a huge say in the outcome of the fortunes of the country, as the Tottenham Hotspur man is only 21-years-old - but has already made 24 appearances. And Bale is one among a dozen players in the squad who are 25-years-old or younger.
"Gaz Bale is absolutely cooking at the moment at Tottenham," said the Villa defender, adding: "It does look quite a tough group but the way we have been playing we feel we have got every chance."
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
21:38 BST -
And it's now 3-1 to Turkey! An own goal from Pepe and we're into time added on. Do people think Portugal will qualify from their group?
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
-
The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager
Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down
