Euro 2024 qualifying: Wales in 'really good place' going into Finland play-off - Tony Roberts
- Published
Wales manager Robert Page (right) spent time with goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts (left) on a recent visit to Milan
Euro 2024 qualifying play-off semi-final: Wales v Finland |
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Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Thursday, 21 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT |
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text |
Highlights: Match of the Day Wales, BBC One Wales from 22:40 GMT and later on demand |
Goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts says Wales are "in a really good place" as they prepare for their Euro 2024 play-off semi-final against Finland.
Wales face the Finns in Cardiff on 21 March knowing victory would put them within one game of a third straight European Championship.
Roberts says manager Robert Page has welcome selection problems going into the Finland tie.
"Pagey is buzzing, the staff are buzzing," Roberts said.
"The boys are in a really good place. We can't wait to get going for this cup final again in Cardiff, sold out, full house, full of Welsh [fans].
"I know after speaking to Pagey the other day that he can't wait to get everybody together and on the grass."
Should they overcome Finland, Wales will face a home play-off final five days later against either Poland or Estonia.
The absence through injury of captain Aaron Ramsey is a blow for Wales, while Sheffield United defender Rhys Norrington-Davies, Portsmouth midfielder Joe Morrell and Millwall forward Tom Bradhsaw are also sidelined.
Tom Lockyer started Wales' last game, the 1-1 draw with Turkey in regular European Championship qualifying last November, but will not be involved in the play-offs after he suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Luton Town in December.
Nevertheless, Wales are boosted going into Finland by the fact that many of their players are getting regular first-team football.
"That's the problem Pagey wants," Roberts, who is also AC Milan's goalkeeping coach, told this week's Ellis James' Feast of Football podcast.
"I know in the past we have turned up at camps and half the squad isn't playing. That is a problem as well.
"Now it's the better problem because it's who do we pick because they are all playing well and doing well.
"[Going into] Finland, we won't need any motivation. We are doing our homework on their strengths and weaknesses. We will try to nullify them and maximise the qualities we have got to get a result."
'Keepers have always produced'
The one area of the pitch where Wales do not have match-sharp players is in goal.
Danny Ward has not made an appearance for Leicester City in a year, with his last game-time coming against Turkey last November.
Nottingham Forest keeper Wayne Hennessey's only appearance this season was as a half-time substitute in Wales' friendly win over Gibraltar last October, while Sheffield United's Adam Davies has played only once this term, in the Carabao Cup back in August, and Tom King is yet to feature for Wolves.
But having seen Wales cope with similar situations in the past with Wales, Roberts is unconcerned.
"The only thing is I haven't got a goalkeeper playing," he said.
"But that's never stopped us before because every time our keepers have played in big games, they have produced."
Danny Ward has made five Wales appearances this season, but is down the goalkeeping pecking order at his club Leicester City
Roberts says it is "hard" for keepers to secure loan moves even if they are not playing first-team football because clubs are reluctant to let them go.
"Trying to get them out on loan is not easy - they want protection for the keepers they have got," he said.
"But it will be fine. I know how they work. They will be spot on when they get to me and hopefully we can get them ready and sharp enough so they are ready for a big moment."