lsgworldl
10-10-2004, 06:58 PM
Wales defender Mark Delaney admits their best hope of World Cup qualification now lies with England beating their closest rivals.
Delaney was one of the disappointed Welsh stars after England's 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And he said: "I don't think we are looking at Azerbaijan to do us a favour by beating England on Wednesday.
"I think we've got to look at England to win the group convincingly and take points from the teams around us."
But Delaney admitted: "First and foremost we have got to look forward to our game against Poland on Wednesday and get the three points.
"That's the bottom line. First place is still possible mathematically but, realistically, second place has got to be our aim now."
He added: "With the talent England have got, I don't see them slipping up.
"They've been to difficult places before and it doesn't faze them."
Delaney insisted that Wales had not been too badly affected by the late withdrawal of veteran defender Andy Melville, who pulled out minutes before kick-off after injuring a calf in the warm-up.
It is difficult after a defeat but Wednesday is now even more important for us
Mark Delaney
He stated: "I don't think it affected us. Although Simon Davies did have to fill in at right-back, we still had Jason Koumas to come in and got some attacking players to fill that sort of gap.
"I think the first five minutes sealed the game for them. The goal took a massive deflection but we were on the back foot from them on.
"We played some nice stuff at times but didn't have that cutting edge. Going 1-0 down early away from home is always difficult but we didn't let that get to us. We regrouped and in the first half played some nice stuff.
"In the end it was a special moment from David Beckham that finished us off."
Mark Hughes ends his reign as Wales manager against Poland in the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday.
And Delaney admitted: "I think it will be a tricky time but it was more of a tricky time when Mark took over five years ago. Whoever takes over has got a better job in hand and the squad is stronger.
"It is difficult after a defeat but Wednesday is now even more important for us. We are going to have to go difficult places and get results now like Poland and Austria. The first two games put us on the back foot.
"We need a win on Wednesday. Two points from four games would make it difficult. In the last campaign we started well and didn't pick up any points at the end. Maybe it will be the other way around.
"I am sure Mark will want to leave on a high note and we want the three points to get back into the hunt. We've got the character to bounce back.
"Any manager who takes over has a good group of players - as good a squad as Wales has had. If you talk to most people who want the job, they'll say that."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3731568.stm
Delaney was one of the disappointed Welsh stars after England's 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And he said: "I don't think we are looking at Azerbaijan to do us a favour by beating England on Wednesday.
"I think we've got to look at England to win the group convincingly and take points from the teams around us."
But Delaney admitted: "First and foremost we have got to look forward to our game against Poland on Wednesday and get the three points.
"That's the bottom line. First place is still possible mathematically but, realistically, second place has got to be our aim now."
He added: "With the talent England have got, I don't see them slipping up.
"They've been to difficult places before and it doesn't faze them."
Delaney insisted that Wales had not been too badly affected by the late withdrawal of veteran defender Andy Melville, who pulled out minutes before kick-off after injuring a calf in the warm-up.
It is difficult after a defeat but Wednesday is now even more important for us
Mark Delaney
He stated: "I don't think it affected us. Although Simon Davies did have to fill in at right-back, we still had Jason Koumas to come in and got some attacking players to fill that sort of gap.
"I think the first five minutes sealed the game for them. The goal took a massive deflection but we were on the back foot from them on.
"We played some nice stuff at times but didn't have that cutting edge. Going 1-0 down early away from home is always difficult but we didn't let that get to us. We regrouped and in the first half played some nice stuff.
"In the end it was a special moment from David Beckham that finished us off."
Mark Hughes ends his reign as Wales manager against Poland in the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday.
And Delaney admitted: "I think it will be a tricky time but it was more of a tricky time when Mark took over five years ago. Whoever takes over has got a better job in hand and the squad is stronger.
"It is difficult after a defeat but Wednesday is now even more important for us. We are going to have to go difficult places and get results now like Poland and Austria. The first two games put us on the back foot.
"We need a win on Wednesday. Two points from four games would make it difficult. In the last campaign we started well and didn't pick up any points at the end. Maybe it will be the other way around.
"I am sure Mark will want to leave on a high note and we want the three points to get back into the hunt. We've got the character to bounce back.
"Any manager who takes over has a good group of players - as good a squad as Wales has had. If you talk to most people who want the job, they'll say that."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3731568.stm