The Big Interview 
/ Gary Speed / 21 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Tough job. Gary Speed looks on during his first match in charge of Wales, a defeat to the Republic of Ireland
"It’s great to have somebody like Gareth (Bale) involved, but it is a team game. If we are going to achieve anything it has to be as a team because we are a country of small resources."
We went out and spoke to former betting.betfair columnist Gary Speed on life without Ryan Giggs, where Gareth Bale ranks amongst the best in the world and gunning for a big scalp on Saturday.
Hi Gary. So three months since you took over and finally a competitive game! Excited, or does it feel like a job now?
Yes, I am excited, but also there's a lot of work gone into those three months. We've had one match, of course, in Ireland and although the result was disappointing, we found out a lot of things off the pitch.
Such as?
We only had one day's training, and five of them couldn't join in because they'd played the day before, but I got good feedback about the squad in terms of togetherness, structure, and how to use time.
So now it's time to make that work against England. It's a perfect first home fixture, isn't it?
I think so. We're realistic in that given our standing in the group after losing the first three matches, even if we win every game we still might not qualify. So the aim is to look ahead to the next campaign, and make sure by the time it starts we are in a place to compete. All the structure and foundations have got to be done and dusted by that time. But meanwhile it's England, at home, and a great opportunity to do something. We'll be going out to win it.
Do you miss the hustle and bustle of club management?
You'd be surprised the amount of work there is in this job. When I took over I felt it was important we set up a structure throughout the whole of Welsh football, from the senior team through the Under 21s and right down, so we are getting some sort of continuity. I've also been getting out to watch a lot of games, to see the players, and also out to their to speak to their managers and coaching staffs on how they do things. When they do come to us it helps understand how to get them in the right shape and frame of mind to perform.
Lots of detail, then?
That's exactly the difference compared to a club job. You have time to drill into every detail. We've watched the DVD of the Ireland game a lot of times, and a lot of analysis gets done on the opposition too. It's a time of the season where a lot of players have played a lot of games, so you can't take too much out of them on the training pitch. It's a case of planning the time to get the best value..
Wales have had problems with big players not being available. What are you doing to help change that?
I think what we learned from the first squad is that players want to come to an international team and find a bit of structure. They want a goal, and something to strive for. That's what we are trying to give them. It's already been encouraging that a couple of lads have returned to be available again in Danny Collins and Danny Gabbidon, so hopefully that will stand us in good stead for the future.
We saw a young lad playing the other night called Giggs who might have a chance!
(laughs) Yes, I've spoken to Ryan and it's not right for him to come back which I completely accept and understand, but he has been very supportive. It's fantastic how well he's doing for United still. I'm realistic in any case that while this game is exciting, the bigger picture is still the next qualifying campaign.
Fabio Capello says Gareth Bale is the best player in the world at the moment. Is he right?
He's not played for a few weeks, so I don't know, but we all saw his performances against Inter Milan, which were unbelievable. But then I've been watching Wales for four or five years and he's been the best player all that time. When he starts playing well for Tottenham on the Champions League stage it is no surprise to me that everybody is talking about him. It's great to have somebody like Gareth involved, but it is a team game. If we are going to achieve anything it has to be as a team because we are a country of small resources.
Who are the younger players you want to work with?
It would be unfair to name names, but part of why I was so keen to take the job is that there is such a lot of talent coming through.
Aaron Ramsey's an obvious example.
Given the injury he had he's come back very quickly. He was outstanding in some of the games I saw him play for Cardiff on loan, and I'm certainly hoping he can be in good shape to face England.
Who have you talked to for advice?
I've spoken to a lot of people: Mark Hughes, Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis who is a good friend of mine. You take advice from everyone and then decide which way to go yourself. At the end of it you have to make the tough decisions, and you need to know you did what you believed in.
Now the boots are hung up you can finally assess your playing days. What would be your best memory?
I think winning the League with Leeds. It came very early in my career. In a few years of getting in the team I'd won the old Second Division, come fourth in the First and then lifted the title and the Charity Shield. I maybe didn't appreciate it as much as I should.
And your greatest regret?
I don't think I've got one. I can look back on a fabulous time - after the Leeds days there was Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United. Newcastle especially was a massive highlight. Kenny Dalglish signed me. He was a hero of mine when I was a kid. They say you shouldn't meet your heroes, it's sometimes a disappointment. Mine were Kenny Dalglish and Ian Botham and I've met them both and they are both great people. I've been very lucky.
On the eve of the start of the Premier League, we sat down with one of the most colourful and controversial players in English football to find out about life as a radio presenter, who's going to win the Premier...
Arsenal play Manchester United on Sunday - it's not only the biggest Premier League game of the weekend, it's also Sky's first 3D football broadcast. So it seemed a good time for Betfair to ask veteran commentator Martin Tyler if...
Newly promoted Birmingham are on an unbeaten run of five Premier League games - and a win at Wigan on Saturday could take them into the top half of the table. Betfair went to meet striker Cameron Jerome to find...
No comments:
Post a Comment