Rob Page has hit out at Nottingham Forest over their dealing with of Brennan Johnson after the ahead used to be dominated out of Wales’s opening Euro 2024 qualifiers. Johnson will play no section in opposition to Croatia on Saturday and also will leave out Tuesday’s house fit in opposition to Latvia after irritating a groin drawback in Forest’s defeat to Newcastle final week.
Page accused Forest of disrespecting Wales by means of permitting Johnson to play greater than 90 mins in opposition to Newcastle. The 21-year-old used to be therefore not able to document for world responsibility 48 hours later on account of damage.
“First and foremost I feel for Brennan,” Page mentioned. “He needs to play world soccer like everyone else. As we all know, taking part in on your nation is one thing very particular, it should not be taken as a right, by means of any person. Everybody who has were given a accountability for Brennan must recognize that and lend a hand him whatsoever they may be able to.
“It’s very particular to be in that converting room and play on your nation. You should not take that as a right. The other folks liable for him should not take that as a right and must admire and recognize that as smartly.”
Page cited Millwall’s handling of striker Tom Bradshaw, recalled to the Wales squad after a five-year absence, as a contrasting example. “We’ve had Tom flip up, no longer in an immaculate situation on account of the mins he is performed all season, however they could not were extra supportive,” Page said. “It’s about that respect for your country, for your jersey. He was the first through the door, we’ve managed his loads all week and he’s now in a position where he’s rare to go.”
Aaron Ramsey, named captain after Gareth Bale’s retirement, mentioned Wales will have to adapt to the post-Bale technology. Bale, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams and Chris Gunter, the AFC Wimbledon defender who has joined Page’s team of workers for the March double header, all retired from taking part in for Wales after the World Cup in Qatar. “There was always going to be that transitional period,” Ramsey mentioned.
“The high quality that we’ve got misplaced – we have been blessed with such a lot of nice avid gamers – however there are avid gamers on this squad which might be greater than in a position to developing their very own historical past and stepping as much as the plate and turning in at the large level.
“There has been trade – acquainted faces are not there. It’s a part of soccer. It’s ever converting and growing. There are a large number of possibilities now for the more youthful avid gamers to step up. With the standard of avid gamers we’ve misplaced, it’ll be other however I imagine on this workforce and within the team of workers that we will growth once more.”
The Tottenham defender Ben Davies has withdrawn from the squad with a hamstring factor, and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey may be sidelined.