Coleman not fussed by critics

02 October 2014 06:01

Wales manager Chris Coleman has given up trying to win over his critics ahead of the Euro 2016 double-header against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus.

Coleman still faced calls to quit from some supporters and sections of the Welsh media after Gareth Bale's double saved his blushes in Andorra last month when Wales opened their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a nervy 2-1 win.

Since that victory over opponents ranked 199 in the world Wales have climbed to 29 in the FIFA rankings - just two places short of their highest-ever position - and Coleman says he doesn't "give a monkey's" about those who doubt his ability to manage his country.

"We win and it's got nothing to do with me. We lose and it's got everything to do with me," Coleman said on Wednesday when naming a 26-man squad for the home matches against the Bosnians on October 10 and Cyprus three days earlier.

"But that's never worried me and I'm not bothered by that.

"Certain people will always concentrate on the negatives because they've said so much in the last two years it's difficult for them to go back on that.

"I won't even try to win them over, I really couldn't give a monkey's about them.

"All I care about is the players and our supporters who follow us home and away."

Wales have lost only once in six games during the past 12 months, a 2-0 friendly defeat in June to a Netherlands side who eventually finished third at the World Cup in Brazil.

And with Real Madrid superstar Bale establishing himself as one of the best players in the world there's real belief that Wales can push group favourites Belgium and Bosnia all the way in the race for the two automatic qualifying spots in Group B.

That optimism has been reflected by a remarkable rise up the world rankings as Wales were way down in 82nd place in December 2012.

"Results don't lie," Coleman said. "We're 29th in the FIFA rankings, which is the highest we've been for 20 years, and we're 20th in the UEFA rankings.

"Where are we meant to be? I don't know. Was I coming in and taking over a country that has repeatedly qualified for major tournaments? No.

"I don't know what the expectations are to be honest. All I know is that we've got a good group of committed players and we're on the right road.

"Two years ago I said we've got to climb the rankings and we've done that.

"We're still doing it, it's not finished yet."

Wales, however, must do without influential pair Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen for the Bosnia and Cyprus games at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Arsenal playmaker Ramsey damaged a hamstring against Tottenham last weekend and has been ruled out of action for four weeks, while Liverpool midfielder Allen has not played since the Andorra game on September 9 after undergoing a hernia operation.

"We've got used to being without players who everyone talks about being the main boys," said Coleman who is also without David Vaughan and Andrew Crofts through injury and has named six uncapped players in his squad.

"It's disappointing when you lose players of the calibre of Aaron and Joe, but I've got confidence in those boys to come in and do a job for us."

Bosnia cannot afford to lose in Cardiff after a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Cyprus last month and Coleman accepts victory would put Wales in a strong position after only two games.

"We've got the opportunity to put a bit of distance between us and them and it's all about getting the job done and continuing our good work," Coleman said.

"Bosnia will be a wounded animal because they were expected to beat Cyprus.

"They'll come to us knowing they need to win and with a point to prove, but we'll be an obstacle for them."

Source: PA