Craig Bellamy names player who 'wowed' him and reveals what he's learnt about himself as Wales boss

The Wales boss spoke after overseeing his side's 1-0 win over Montenegro at Cardiff City Stadium

Wales head coach Craig Bellamy praised the strength of his squad after his side's 1-0 win over Montenegro at Cardiff City Stadium.

Bellamy is the first ever Wales boss to go four games unbeaten, a record which sees his side sitting second in their Nations League group following September and October camps.

Harry Wilson's penalty was the only goal of the evening although Wales should have extended their lead throughout the evening, leaving a number of missed chances out there.

REPORT: Harry Wilson penalty maintains Craig Bellamy's unbeaten start

RATINGS: Wales v Montenegro player ratings as star clear standout and defender fantastic again

Nevertheless, it's been an extremely positive couple of camps for Wales and what has pleased Bellamy more is that he has been able to use a number of players in order to get them to where they are after four games.

"It was a really good performance," Bellamy said of the Montenegro win. "A lot of changes which I did say to be prepared for. We need a big squad. The Nations League is brilliant, really competitive, it allows you to use your squad and there's loads of positives from that.

"There are some players who did well today. A squad really gives you a better chance to qualify for a major tournament. It really suits the bigger nations with the bigger squads.

"I had a good few months to prepare for these games. I came in as the Wales manager in early July so I had a period leading into September that allowed me to prepare myself for worst-case scenario, best-case scenario and middle-of-the-road scenario. Whatever way it was going to go, the bigger picture was very important for me, without communicating that.

"I'm very conscious that you guys don't like the word process, philosophy. Look, can we win every game possible? If it's not the case, how can we improve during that period? That is really it. I have an outstanding coaching staff. I must mention a guy called Piet Criemers, who has brought so much to me in a short space of time. Him, Crofty (Andrew Crofts), Rowbs (James Rowberry), I don't want to name everyone, even though I have. Even Marge (Martyn Margetson) this week gave me a bit of experience. The people that are around have benefitted us so far."

Wilson has been in the form of his life in a Wales shirt, even if he has struggled for regular game time with his club, Fulham, this season.

He has eight goal involvements in his last nine matches for Wales and even seems to have gone up a notch since Bellamy took charge. Indeed, Bellamy himself admitted he has been "wowed" by Wilson in training and lavished him with praise after another match-winning contribution.

"So good," he said of Wilson. "You can use him in so many different areas. We used him as a double-eight. His timing - you can use a player like him in so many different areas of the pitch. He is so intelligent - a footballer's footballer.

"I knew he was a good player - I was there when he made his debut - but when you get to work with someone at close range, he is so good. So talented and so intelligent.

"The way we play, he benefits massively and you see a real talent. When I'm watching him, I'm just like 'Wow'. What you don't see in him, watch him without the ball. Watch how good he is, how he presses, his sprints, his intensity. He is elite at that.

"You back that up with footballing ability - we are just seeing the footballing talent."

It's Bellamy's first stint as a head coach and he refuses to take the limelight when pressed on his record-breaking, four-game unbeaten start - "please play that down," he stresses - but it's been a period of learning for him, too.

"I am such a rookie. I really am," he admitted. "You just get a feel and you get moments. It's enjoyable, but when you are shouting and no one can hear you it's really annoying!

"I am just trying my best to enjoy it and I'm learning about myself. Football is just a small part for me. I try to be the best person I can be and there are moments I don't quite get it right. So, learning as a manager, it's just trying to be calm and trying to see the players getting to see that as well.

"You don't react or feel an emotion and want to take it out on anyone near you. The players are the most important. How can we give them every opportunity to make them the best they can be? It's about getting all those details and analysis right for them to go and enjoy themselves. I hope they are able to feel they've enjoyed it."

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Another moment which didn't go unnoticed was the introduction of Joe Allen, who came on in the second half for his first appearance since the 2022 World Cup after reversing his decision to retire.

Bellamy said it would be "romantic" if he was to start against Montenegro, but he instead opted to bring him on to steady the ship in the latter stages of the match. It's fair to say, wrapped in the emotions of another win, romance was not on his mind when he was questioned about Allen being received so loudly by the adoring Welsh fans at Cardiff City Stadium.

"That moment? I couldn't care really, honestly!" Bellamy said. "It's about what he's going to do for us. And he did exactly what he's going to do for us. He settled us.

"He was going to give us control back, the tempo of the game which we were able to control for long periods. He can stop that momentum change due to his experience, talent and being such a good footballer. It was not a romantic one, we just really needed him at that time."