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craig bellamy Gave up its place in Welsh football history after wales Extends its unbeaten lead by defeating Montenegro League of Nations run.
Harry Wilson’s 36th-minute penalty – his third goal in as many games – secured a 1–0 win at the Cardiff City Stadium, leaving Wales two points behind group leader Turkey, which won 4–2 in Iceland and who they went to in the final round of fixtures the following month.
Wales have now won two matches home and away against Montenegro and drawn two under Bellamy, who is the first Dragons manager to go unbeaten in his first four matches.
Asked about being a history-maker, Bellamy said, “I don’t think so. Please tone it down, it really doesn’t.
“I was expecting all scenarios. I had a good few months to prepare for these Games.
“I came over as Wales manager at the beginning of July so I had until September which allowed me to prepare myself for the worst-case scenario, the best-case scenario and the situation in between.
“Whichever path it was going on, the bigger picture was very important to me, without saying.
“I am very conscious that you guys (reporters) don’t like the word process, philosophy. Look, can we win every possible game?
“If that’s not the case, how can we improve during that period? That’s what it really is.”
Wales’ victory followed a 2–2 draw in Iceland when they led 2–0 at half-time and lost key players Brennan Johnson and Jordan James to suspension.
With injured trio Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James also absent, Bellamy gave chances to others – many of whom have received little game time at club level – and made seven changes from Friday’s draw in Reykjavik.
“To be honest, it (making the change) wasn’t out of choice,” Bellamy said. “If I had shown you this team two weeks ago this would have been happening.
“I just spoke to Rhys Norrington-Davies and apologized for not bringing him, because he deserved to come.
“A lot of players who played, it was coming. He gave himself that position and the opportunity to play.
“Body language is important to me. It would make me angry if someone shrugged.”
Bellamy previously described the recall decision joe allen The 34-year-old midfielder came out of international retirement to join this camp as a “no-brainer” on the Wales scene.
Allen won his 75th cap almost two years after his last as a second-half substitute and Bellamy said: “He did what he’s going to do for us. He settled us.
“He’s going to give us back the control, the pace of the game, that we were able to control for a long time.
“He can stop that change of pace because of his experience, talent and being such a good footballer. It wasn’t romantic, we really needed him at that time.
Of match-winner Wilson, Bellamy said: “He’s very intelligent, he’s like a footballer’s footballer.
“I knew he was a good player and I have watched him from afar.
“But when you get the opportunity to work with someone that close, he’s a very talented footballer.”