'Far too slow' - Tottenham duo blasted for 4/10 performances for national team after bruising defeat

Two Tottenham stars were in action for Wales on Thursday night as they fell to an international friendly defeat to England at Wembley Stadium. Wales have their eyes on next week’s all-important World Cup qualifier with Belgium, but Craig Bellamy still put a strong side out for the exhibition with their neighbours.

Within 20 minutes, Wales were three down after a sluggish start, and while they did tighten up, not conceding another goal for the rest of the night, they did not look a threat to an England side in good form.

Two Tottenham stars started for Wales, and neither dazzled, with WalesOnline’s player ratings giving each of Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson a 4/10. For Davies, the report reasoned: “Far too slow to react for the opening goal, which set the tone for the night. Subbed.”

Johnson also got a four, with the report saying of Fulham’s Harry Wilson: “A snapped shot in the first half aside, he was largely anonymous. Subbed,” then it added of Johnson: “As above, really. Subbed.”

While Wales will be disappointed with how they handled the exercise, their focus is firmly on that home qualifier with Belgium on Monday. The Dragons are currently level on points with Belgium and one point behind North Macedonia, but those two sides face off on Friday. That game will put Belgium on the same number of points as Wales and North Macedonia on one more game played.

Monday’s Belgium clash is likely to be vital in Wales’ qualification campaign, particularly if they want to win the group, while the battle for second and a play-off spot is likely to come down to their last qualifier of this campaign, against North Macedonia in November.

Bellamy wanted tough test

Wales boss Craig Bellamy said after the Wembley defeat: "I'd like our egos to be hurt. I'd like us to be annoyed," he said. "It's why I wanted this game. We need to see where we are. We can play Lithuania if you want, and that's no disrespect to them, but then we'd have loads of the ball and then try to break them down.

"It's where do we want to go? Who do we want to be? Today, even now, just fills me with motivation but Monday [is] a different game. Learn from this, [learn that] we don't want this feeling again. You can use it. Once you get your arse kicked you learn the most - and I got my arse kicked."

Tuchel on ‘silent’ England fans

England boss Thomas Tuchel highlighted the support of the ever-supportive Wales fans while criticising the Three Lions’ support after the game. He told ITV: “The stadium was silent - we never got any energy back from the fans, and I think the players delivered a lot to get more from the fans.

“If you then hear for half an hour just Wales fans, it's a bit sad because I think the team deserved big support."

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