Craig Bellamy says the scrutiny on Wales is fair after three straight losses and six games without a win, with Norway due in Cardiff in Wales vs Norway. Wales are bottom of League A Group 4, and Bellamy is not trying to talk his way out of that reality. He is leaning into it instead.

Bellamy's response to the slump

"No, I don't see it [as] unfair. I see it [as being] as it should be," Bellamy said to the BBC. "You don't win and you lose a few games in a row, you should be asked questions."

That is the tone he has taken throughout the downturn. Bellamy said he knew there would be moments like this when he took the job, adding: "I knew what I was coming into and I said when I was nine, 10 games unbeaten, there will be moments [like this] - it's inevitable."

The numbers behind the run are blunt. Wales have lost three in a row, have not won in six, and have scored 0 goals in their first two League A Group 4 matches. Denmark beat them 2-0 on Sunday after the 1-0 loss in Portugal last Thursday.

Bellamy also said the bad spell can still be part of the team's development. "Now in the moments, you'll see a bit more of me because I think you all thought I'd go crazy but no, I want us as a team to improve and I want to improve as a coach."

Haaland's threat for Cardiff

The other problem is obvious enough. Erling Haaland has 65 goals in 57 internationals, and Bellamy called him "a machine" while asking, "have you seen his record at international level?"

Haaland has 3 goals in 2 Nations League appearances, and Norway arrive in Cardiff with 3 points from 2 games after beating Denmark 3-2 and losing 2-1 at home to Portugal. Bellamy described the challenge in front of Wales as something they will have to adapt to, which is probably the right way to frame it. Wales do not just need a cleaner performance, they need one that can survive the presence of a striker who changes the shape of the match.

Thursday's meeting with Norway now carries that extra edge for Wales, who need a response after a run Bellamy is refusing to soften.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →