Ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts has criticized manager Robert Page’s tactics and response to the unexpected defeat against Armenia in the Euro 2024 qualifier.
Page described the 4-2 loss in Cardiff as the “slap we need,” a statement that Roberts found shocking considering the dismal performance that now puts Wales in a difficult position to qualify.
Roberts expressed his disagreement with Page’s comments and questioned the necessity of a wake-up call for the team. He emphasized that in a campaign with only eight games, there is little room for mistakes compared to a 46-game league season. The defeat against Armenia was truly shocking for Roberts, as he observed the team progressively retreating and conceding possession too easily, allowing Armenia to regain control of the game.
“We’ve just made Armenia look like Argentina,” Roberts lamented during an interview with BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, highlighting the severity of the team’s performance.
Wales faced significant challenges in this campaign due to the retirements of experienced players such as Joe Allen, Chris Gunter, Jonny Williams, and Gareth Bale, who served as a talisman for the team. Roberts believed that the absence of Joe Allen was particularly felt, as his ability to disrupt play in midfield provided vital protection for the center-backs. While Aaron Ramsey attempted to fulfill that role, Roberts felt it was not on par with Allen’s contributions.
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Turkey, Roberts stressed the need for the team to address these issues within the next two days and find a solution to improve their performance.
