Tonight’s crucial game against Belgium reveals Gareth Bale in a very positive mood despite his lack of appearances for his club, Los Angeles FC. So much so the benefits are there for all to see as Rob Page makes his selections for tonight’s game in Brussels.
Speaking regards his season to date in the USA Bale said "The most important thing for me is to take each week as it comes and hopefully that will be good enough for me to help LAFC and, ultimately, be ready for the World Cup. We have a plan in LA with what we’re doing. We’re not doing too much straight away. Every footballer wants to play as much as they can but we’re being clever and building myself up for the last important part of the season. Hopefully, that should put me in great shape for the World Cup.”
Every Cymru follower knows exactly what Bale brings to his country in every game he plays, especially when the nation have their backs against the wall tonight. "I haven’t played 90 minutes yet, which is what I’m building up to,” Bale said. "We’re on a good path to where I want to be. I want to play 90 minutes as much as I can but I understand I need to build up to that because I haven’t done it an awful lot in the last few years”
Wales really do have to win tonight to impact on their group after a disappointing start to their first four games. That said they have been competitive and unlucky especially in the two losses to the Netherlands. Manager Rob Page is split in his decision making regards Bale. "His (Bale's) safety and health is the most important thing," said Wales manager Rob Page. "So we will have to manage that. We want him in top condition, we don't want him fatigued going into games and running the risk of injury. We haven't gone into the detail of it yet but all we know is he will be affected by it. He is not going to land until Tuesday. We have to get him from Heathrow. There will be a lot of planning as regards to is he going to be ready for the first game against Belgium ? If not, obviously then we might have to leave it for the Poland game."
However, since Bale has met up with the Wales squad Page has noticed how alert and fit he is which could well mean a change of heart. Speaking yesterday Page said Wales have reached only the second World Cup in their history and Page has a squad that largely picks itself, though there will still be an anxious wait for some of those on the fringes. 'You're not going to please everybody,' admitted Page. 'That's the hard part of the job. We've got a great group. They know it'll be nothing personal when I have to make those decisions, but it is difficult keeping them all happy. Don't get me wrong, I have been a club manager myself and it is hard. When you are trying to create that environment and you have got other world-class players around you. It is harder to do that at a club where you do have to have that blanket over the players and say, 'This is how we are going to do things and train today ‘ "No disrespect to our changing rooms, but we haven't got ten other Gareth Bales. That is going to be his difficulty, finding someone who will manage him like that. He has to take that responsibility himself. That will determine then whether he plays a lot of football."
Wales take on Belgium tonight at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels. Follow us today as we report on the huge Wales support, and indeed our very own Swansea Independent posters on their ‘interesting’ adventure to the game.