'Team performance' - pundits react to Wales 0-0 Turkey

Aaron Ramsey won his 85th cap for Wales against Turkey

Wales fans were given an exciting glimpse of what lies ahead as they watched Craig Bellamy take charge of the national side for the first time against Turkey.

Despite controlling the majority of the contest at Cardiff City Stadium, the hosts were unable to turn an encouraging display into a victory in the Nations League.

But a number of former Wales players were pleased with the manner in which Bellamy's troops performed against a Turkey side that reached the last eight of Euro 2024.

Here's the pick of the reaction from pundits following the stalemate with Vincenzo Montella's outfit.

Wales defender Tom Lockyer, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, said: “The first half, Wales were outstanding, that was the best Welsh performance I've seen in a long time.

“Obviously, football is about scoring when you're on top and Wales didn't do that, so that's frustrating.

“However, the performance was spot on, Craig Bellamy will be pleased with what he's seen.”

Former Wales striker Rob Earnshaw was pleased with the attack selected by Bellamy, although he was keen to emphasise the collective effort from the team.

"I enjoyed it, I really enjoyed the game," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"I've been saying for a couple of years, we've been tentative as a team and it's been good with some good results, but that excitement has always been missing.

"Sorba Thomas was probably the surprise choice on the left side, I thought he was excellent. Very lively and busy.

"Aaron Ramsey playing as a false striker was a very interesting choice, I thought he was excellent and I thought Harry Wilson was good as well.

"But it was a real team performance. Gareth Bale has retired, we need to be a team, and what I loved about it, Craig has said, 'how can we be a team?' where, in moments, we're going to need a match winner.

"He put the team in a position where they were pressing, they were hungry, the football was fast and sharp and that all comes down from his ideas."

Ex-Wales striker Nathan Blake echoed Earnshaw's comments and stated that the Red Wall can look forward to success in the future if they continue to play in the manner in which they did against Turkey.

“If Wales carry on playing like this they will gather success," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"To do what they've done tonight has been fantastic. I didn't think Craig had enough time to change much, but clearly there's real signs of what we want to see.

“When the players start to understand the system more, they'll get better and better at it.

“Craig Bellamy will be delighted with that performance. Wales will be kicking themselves that they didn't win, but that's the only negative.

“The performance was fantastic, the team played the way he wanted them to play. You can't really fault it. The performance was refreshing to watch, it was high tempo, high pressing and very brave.

“The performance had a bit of everything. I don't think you'll find a fan who's left the game discouraged. Wales were unlucky not to score tonight, it's difficult to say that goal scoring is a problem right now. If they haven't scored in four, five games, then it becomes an issue.”

While there were numerous positives for Bellamy to reflect on, former Wales full-back Kath Morgan admitted players will need to be more ruthless in front of goal in future.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cymru, Morgan said: "I think Craig Bellamy will be satisfied. Turkey are so experienced and they've been in situations maybe Wales haven't, so they know how to deal with it.

"There were flashes of excitement in attack, but you have to be clinical in front of goal, we had chances in the first half and we couldn't take one."

Ex-Wales forward Iwan Roberts, who played with Bellamy at Norwich City, told BBC Radio Cymru: "I feel a little bit disappointed with the second half, but the first half, I was happy with what I saw.

"You could see at the end of the game which group of players were happier.

"They've had four days to work on how they want to play, and so much has changed - the shape, the style, and it's going to take time. It's hard for managers at international level, but I'm encouraged with what I saw in the first half."

Wales ended the 0-0 draw with Turkey having had 67% of the possession, and the style shift was evident from the outset.

"I'm really pleased," ex-Wales striker Gwennan Harries told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"Even within the first couple of minutes you could already see the improvement in the style that Bellamy is asking the players to play.

"The amount of information he's managed to get across, and the details and difference within a week is so promising.

"Obviously it's disappointing not to get the victory and not to work the goalkeeper more, but I think every one of us in terms of us working and the fans were just so pleased to see the level of the performance on and off the ball."