Former Wales and Man United man Clayton Blackmore has lifted the lid on the challenges faced by the Welsh national team with key players skipping friendlies.
In recent years, Wales have produced a smattering of world-class football talent including Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and Real Madrid wideman Gareth Bale.
Ex-Red Devils defender Blackmore says it is this calibre of player that the side relies on to win games and, using the run-up to this World Cup as an example, explains how injuries to key players massively impact the fate of the team when faced with international tournaments.
“It’s a shame Wales didn’t qualify for the World Cup as they’ve got some really good players and played well overall in friendlies,” he tells Football Express News.
“The problem is, they’ve had injuries to key players, for example Gareth Bale and (Arsenal midfielder) Aaron Ramsey. That is what hurts the team because they have very limited options when it comes to other players with the same quality to take over.
“Their absence leaves the side lacking the strength they need to win games and proceed into the competitions.”
Blackmore, who made 39 appearances for Wales between 1985 and 1997, makes reference to the team historically suffering as a result of the country being too small to produce leading players in numbers like England and other larger nations.
He adds: “This is the problem when you’re a small country with not many top quality players to pick from, when your match-winners are injured you struggle to win games.”
Bale was sidelined in the run-up to the World Cup and Blackmore rubbishes media speculation insinuating the 24-year-old chose to skip friendly games when he was fit enough to play.
He continues: “When the media are speculating that Bale is skipping friendlies because he’s more bothered about Real Madrid than Wales, that’s rubbish.
“He’s had injuries and would rather not play in friendlies when he’s resting and recovering. Every footballer wants to play for their country and I know Bale is Welsh through and through.”
Blackmore also rues the regular absence of Ramsay, who missed a large chunk of the Gunners’ campaign with a thigh problem.
“Aaron Ramsay has also suffered and like Bale, had to miss games,” he says.
“This leaves Wales with the problem of not having any match-winners fit to play, and it’s why they have not progressed into the World Cup.”