Wales vs England Strategic Breakdown: Craig Bellamy's New Approach Explained
The Welsh national team have changed their style of play with Bellamy.
When comparing the previous manager's last dozen matches as coach to Craig Bellamy's opening 12 leading Wales, a noticeable shift is a strategic change to focus more on possession and controlling matches with the ball.
Under Robert Page: High-Energy Play
Under Page, The Welsh high-energy approach was based on pressing intensely off the ball, particularly in wide areas, mostly employing a fluid 3-4-3 formation to push forward aggressively.
Bellamy's Fresh Approach
Craig Bellamy has so far exclusively used a defensive line of four, pushing the team to maintain possession and construct offensive moves more methodically.
Statistical Differences
The new strategy has produced a much greater amount of possession, a higher tally of passes and a modest drop in how often they turn the ball over high up the pitch.
Wales also boast a improved expected goals metric since Bellamy took over.
Main Talking Point
Do Bellamy's strategies give Wales a better opportunity of defeating England?
The new approach with the new coach signifies a significant departure from the old system.
- Higher possession rates
- More patient build-up
- Less giveaways in attack
- Enhanced scoring probability
