Rob Page will not be ‘influenced by negativity’ ahead of critical Wales period
Rob Page says he will not be “influenced by negativity” with his Wales tenure set to reach a critical juncture. Page has come under increasing pressure after an awful World Cup last autumn when Wales scored only once and finished bottom of their group and a Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that hit the rocks with defeats to Armenia and Turkey in June. Although Wales have lost talismanic captain Gareth Bale and others in recent months, many fans have turned on Page – a national hero just over 12 months ago as the Dragons qualified for their first World Cup since 1958 – and used social media to call for his dismissal. Page signed a four-year deal only 12 months ago and received the public backing of Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney after that miserable June double-header. But Page, who celebrates his 49th birthday on Sunday, is certain to come under intense scrutiny unless Wales revive their Euro 2024 qualification ambitions by beating Group D minnows Latvia in Riga on September 11. “Football is what it is,” said Page, who first has the opportunity to improve a record of one win in 12 games in a Cardiff friendly with Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea on Thursday. I can't do things to please other people because you are then riding the rollercoaster of emotions and I'd rather not do that Rob Page “I don’t need people to tell me I’ve done well. I look at myself in the mirror and, as long as I’m doing the the best I can, that’s all I ask for. “I can’t do things to please other people because you are then riding the rollercoaster of emotions and I’d rather not do that. “I played until I was 35 so I understand what social media is, but I don’t read it. I don’t read any articles from ex-players or reporters, because it will inevitably cloud your judgement and then you are going to be influenced by negativity. “I don’t need that in my life. I just want to stay focused on the job we’ve got and that is to get three points in Latvia.” Wales have won only once since beating Ukraine in the 2022 World Cup play-off final, a 1-0 home victory over Latvia in March. Page insists Wales currently find themselves in a similar position to when John Toshack blooded so many youngsters between 2004 and 2010 and gave the likes of Bale, Joe Allen and current captain Aaron Ramsey their international debuts. “This stat of one win in 12 keeps getting thrown at me, which frustrates the life out of me,” he said. “That is on paper. Yes. “But when you strip that away you see the opposition – playing Belgium, Holland and Poland twice because we got promoted from League B to League A in the Nations League and some were played around a World Cup play-off final. “So, let’s have a little bit of common sense with some of the fixtures we were up against and manage expectations. “We’ve lost arguably one of the world’s best players in Gareth Bale, some big characters on the playing side in Chris Gunter and Joe Allen, and now it’s about developing and evolving. “My remit now is to get the next batch of young kids through and it’s not going to happen overnight. Of course we don’t want too many results like Armenia – that is the one that has haunted me. ” Wales trail group leaders Turkey by six points in Euro 2024 qualifying and are three adrift of second-placed Armenia, who have a game in hand on Page’s side. Group favourites Croatia are level on Wales with four points but have played two fewer games and, with a top-two spot appearing improbable, the best the Dragons can seemingly hope for is play-off place through their Nations League status. Page said: “It’s probably the first test I’d have had since I’ve taken over. “Everything’s been rosy – we’ve had success, promotions and qualifications and this is the first time I’ve felt these two months have dragged – but I can’t wait for Sunday (the camp) to come.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mikel Arteta hails Eddie Nketiah’s fight to play for England after first call-up Getafe boss eager to help Mason Greenwood ‘recover professional status’ in Spain Dan Evans pushes Carlos Alcaraz to limit in entertaining showdown in New York
1970-01-01 08:00
Chancellor Hunt Says UK Is on Track to Halve Inflation This Year
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt reiterated the UK government’s pledge to halve inflation this year, saying pressures on household budgets
1970-01-01 08:00
Deion Sanders sends warning to CFB, Colorado doubters: ‘We keep receipts’
Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes made a huge statement by upsetting No. 17 TCU in Forth Worth. The Buffs are coming, baby!
1970-01-01 08:00
3 Phillies players on the September roster who don't deserve to play this postseason
These three Philadelphia Phillies players will be the odd men out on a team trying to win another NL Pennant.
1970-01-01 08:00
Palou has 2nd IndyCar title in sight but Scott Dixon in his rearview mirror with 2 races remaining
Alex Palou has been on cruise control all season as he’s chased a second IndyCar championship in three years
1970-01-01 08:00
MLB Rumors: Cubs dream target, Braves tough move, Scherzer concern
The latest batch of MLB rumors includes an injury concern for Max Scherzer, the Braves making a sacrifice and a Cubs free agency target.
1970-01-01 08:00
Jefferson's hot start helps Arkansas overwhelm Western Carolina 56-13
K
1970-01-01 08:00
SAG-AFTRA requests approval to strike against video game companies
SAG-AFTRA's National Board is unanimously seeking permission from union members to strike against a number of video game makers ahead of negotiations resuming later this month.
1970-01-01 08:00
Jackson Arnold sends warning to Dillon Gabriel in Oklahoma debut
Oklahoma freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold entered in relief of Dillon Gabriel in a blowout win over Arkansas State and showed what he could bring to the program in the near future.
1970-01-01 08:00
What's the Kennection? #78
All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?
1970-01-01 08:00
Getafe boss eager to help Mason Greenwood ‘recover professional status’ in Spain
Getafe head coach Jose Bordalas has defended the club’s decision to hand Mason Greenwood a way back into football. The 21-year-old joined the LaLiga side on loan from Manchester United, who suspended him in January 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online, on transfer deadline day. Greenwood faced charges including attempted rape and assault, but the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February that the case had been discontinued. Asked about the decision to sign the one-cap England international after his side’s 2-1 league defeat at Real Madrid on Saturday, Bordalas told a press conference: “It is a very delicate situation to trivialise that issue. “Everyone knows what happened and appropriate measures were taken. Everyone knows how it ended, with a non-convictory sentence. “He is a footballer of a very high level and arrives at Getafe with enormous enthusiasm.” Reports suggested United might try to reintegrate Greenwood into the squad at Old Trafford after concluding an internal investigation, but they revealed last week he would be leaving the club by mutual agreement after a public outcry. Asked if signing Greenwood, who was not involved in the matchday squad at the Bernabeu, might prompt an unfavourable reaction, Bordalas added: “I can only speak at a footballing level. “We all know the potential he has. He is a very young boy and we hope that he adapts to a very different League. Surely he wants to recover his professional status and Getafe can help him in that sense.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00
Life of Brian: Iowa is one game closer to losing The Ferentzes, probably
Iowa may have improved to 1-0 on the year, but Brian Ferentz's Hawkeyes offense mustered only 24 points vs. Utah State. That is below the pace he needs to stay employed.
1970-01-01 08:00
