Flynn hails his young crop as Wales chase Euro dream

Feb 7 2008 by Staff Reporter, Western Mail

NEARLY 50 years on from Wales’ solitary World Cup finals appearance in Sweden, Brian Flynn’s current U21 crop are on course to make their European Championship finals in the same Scandinavian country.

Tuesday’s 4-0 win in Malta made it 12 points from five games and gave Flynn’s youngsters a one-point lead over Romania with three games remaining.

That Flynn’s side are sitting so pretty at the top of the table after four consecutive wins is even more impressive, given that several players still eligible for the U21s have graduated into John Toshack’s senior set-up.

But Flynn has not discounted the possibility of players such as Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Wayne Hennessey and Lewin Nyatanga featuring if Wales qualify for the finals in Sweden next year.

“Each time we play, John and I meet up and discuss which player would benefit from being in which squad,” said Flynn, the former Burnley and Leeds midfielder capped 66 times by Wales.

“It is something we will have to look at closer to the time, and see who is playing well at that time.

“But we are also fortunate that we have an abundance of talent at U17 level – David Cornell at Swansea, Cardiff’s Adam Matthews and David Stephens at Norwich are all exceptional young players.

“And those names are just the first three I thought of, there are plenty more with the ability to progress.”

On Wales’ winning run in the U21 European Championships, Flynn purred, “The form has been excellent, winning our last four and five of the last six.

“Even in the 1-0 defeat to France, we showed great skill and were unlucky.

“The long-term future is bright. This crop of players are brilliant, enthusiastic and passionate and have played some very good football throughout this tournament.

“The next 10 years for the senior side is looking very healthy.”

Flynn’s boys are top of Group 10, knowing that two wins from the remaining three games will see them qualify for the play-offs.

Having played France twice – having beaten them 4-2 at Ninian Park – the clear favourites to win the group when qualifying started last May, Wales are now in pole position to spring an upset.

But it is a tag Flynn is more than happy to be associated with.

“There is pressure on us now, that we have not had before as we have only been underdogs,” said the former Wrexham and Swansea City manager.

“But we will adjust to being favourites. The players will develop further with the right guidance from ourselves and their club coaches.

“Playing first-team football is vital if they want to develop and further their careers.

“They all have the desire, passion and hunger to further themselves, so I don’t see why they can’t progress.

“The success of the national team depends on players playing regularly for their clubs.

“Many of them are starting to break into first teams and the onus is on them to continue the excellent progress they are making.”

Among those who have hugely impressed Flynn in recent months are Manchester City striker Ched Evans, currently on loan at Norwich and whose double against Malta took his tally for Wales U21s to eight goals in six games, Cardiff midfielder Aaron Ramsey and West Ham reserve-team captain Jack Collison.

“Ched is a natural-born goalscorer, give him a chance, and he will take it,” said Flynn.

“His game has improved greatly since he moved to Norwich and started playing regular football.

“His ability and improvement in his all-round game is fantastic.

“He is more aware of what is going on around him and his appreciation of the game has improved.”

Central midfielder Collison has the added bonus of Premiership experience this season, having played over 50 minutes against Arsenal following an injury to Freddie Ljungberg.

“He is highly regarded by his club manager, Alan Curbishley, and is not far from regular first-team football.

“There are some quality players ahead of him, such as Hayden Mullins and Scott Parker, but Jack has the determination to play for West Ham soon.”

Ramsey has also excelled in his limited opportunities for Cardiff, picking up man-of-the-match awards at Chasetown in the FA Cup and at home to QPR in the Championship.

“Aaron is a quality player, who has a very bright future ahead of him,” said Flynn.

“He is showing great ability on the pitch for someone so young.

“Dave Jones, his manager at Cardiff, has a wealth of experience and he will develop Aaron in the right way.

“Hopefully Aaron can take the opportunities he is given, and use them to progress further.”

Wales can look forward to the trip to Bosnia in March, before finishing with home-and-away games against Romania at the start of next season.

“We have played well recently, and the momentum is good, winning is a great way to get confidence high,” added Flynn.

“We are looking forward to playing every game now. Performance levels have been great and everybody is committed.

“The desire to succeed was evident in our friendly against Sweden earlier this season.

“How many international football teams will be 3-1 down away from home and come back to win 4-3?

“This just shows what we are striving towards. We set ourselves high standards and once we hit them we want to maintain them and reach the next level.”

The transformation in fortunes of the squad under Flynn are simply incredible.

Under the previous reign of Jimmy Shoulder, Wales went more than 20 games without a win.

But Flynn is modest about his achievements since again taking up a position he held in the early 1990s.

“When I came in I wiped the slate clean, everybody had a new start,” he said.

“It was up to the individuals to show me what they could do.

“I am building for the future of the national team. The future success of the national team depends on what we do with them now.”

Without doubt, it is in safe hands.