WALES captain Ashley Williams believes ‘super human’ Gareth Bale has got better and better since becoming the most expensive player in world football.
The £86 million man was in truly sensational form for Wales on Wednesday, putting an Iceland side that came close to World Cup qualification to the sword with a virtuoso display that saw him set up James Collins and Sam Vokes’ goals before scoring a stunner himself as Chris Coleman’s preparations for Euro 2016 qualifying warmed up nicely.
Wales are unbeaten in four and with Bale in such irrepressible form, Williams is confident good times are coming.
I would say Gareth has improved, he’s unbelievable. I have never seen anything like that in my career,” the Wales and Swansea skipper explained.
“Just an unbelievable performance, what a player, and I just hope he can stay fit both for himself and for us.
“He can win games on his own. We have seen that before anyway. We will do our best, we will play our part, but we have one of the best players in the world so let’s not hide from that fact.
“What has he added to his game? The ability to be Super Human, I think. I don’t know. He looks like a kid in the park, playing an international against a very good team. He just makes it look easily. Physically he is head and shoulders above most players, and his technique is second to none.”
Williams also believes Bale has answered his critics who were concerned Wales would see less of him after he switched White Hart Lane and Tottenham Hotspur for the ‘Galacticos’ of the Bernabéu.
“It’s three camps, I think, since he has been there, and he has been to everyone, enthusiastic, playing, why would he not? Everyone is here that can be here and it is something we have spoken about,” Williams commented. “We have another one in June which will be an important game for us, we all know that and I hope we have a full turn out.
“He is really contributing, like everyone. We are all committed. He is no different. He didn’t come and just turn up and put the shirt on. He wouldn’t.
“He never has, I have never seen him do that. He is committed like the whole team and as I said before he will be massive for us. I am sure if he is injury free he will be here for every game and if that happens we have always got a chance.”
Williams admitted Wales have had a team meeting up turning up for all games and believes the progress under boss Coleman is beginning to become apparent.
“As a group we have talked about it,” he said. It is something we have talked about. I think it is the same debate for a lot of countries. But it is something over the last few years really that everybody has been here that can be, and we’ve said that is important for us. It’s been said again on this camp that we need that.”
And Williams is confident more performances like Wednesday’s from Bale will see the crowds flock back to watch the national team.
“Some fans might have watched it on the telly,” he said. “I think it was nice, in the stadium, just to watch Gareth’s performance.
“I enjoyed it from the bench after I’d come off. Some of his runs and stuff were brilliant, and it was a good team performance as well. The attendance is what it is, we want to try and help bring people back not moan about the ones who are not here. If we can try and put on good performances I am sure it will bring them back.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here