Wales boss defends decision not to start Gareth Bale after Belgium loss
Wales boss Rob Page has defended his decision not to start Gareth Bale as Wales lost 2-1 to Belgium in the Nations League.
The result for Wales leaves them rooted to the bottom of the A4 League, but they have the chance to overtake Poland with a win on Sunday.
Bale was benched for the game and came on as a second-half substitute in the 61st minute.
Ex-England goalkeeper in no doubt Pickford is Southgate's number one
The LAFC winger has only had one training session with the squad after arriving from the United States on Tuesday and is set to start against Poland.
When asked why Bale didn't start, Page explained: "All the traveling. Jet lag coming back is hard work that players have to adapt to.
"Throwing him straight into an away game against Belgium would be crazy.
"It was good for him to have a few minutes after jet lag.
"A wise decision not to play from the start, but I was keen to step up as quickly as possible and help the team.
"It's a big lesson for us. We were without five players who would make us stronger."
The Wales boss is adamant that their full attention will be on the game against Poland on Sunday as they will need all three points to avoid relegation.
Page added: "It's a final. Forget the World Cup, this is the game we want to win on Sunday.
"We just need to get the guys back. There will be some changes made and we will put together a team to win the game.
"In qualifying for the World Cup, we are asking to compete against nations like Belgium, like Holland, and we were in the games until the end. That says a lot about this group of players ."
Brennan Johnson showed what he was capable of setting up Kieffer Moore's consolation goal with a fine assist.
The Nottingham Forest youngster has impressed in the Premier League with two goals this season and Page hailed his impact.
"Brennan has been superb, he has improved so much in such a short time.
"I asked him for something different, in midfield.
"When you see him running with the ball, it's great, it's his game, it's his strength."
Wales have been drawn into Group B for the World Cup, alongside England, Iran and the United States.
The game against Poland will be Page's last chance to assess his team before naming his last team before the tournament.
Wales boss Rob Page has defended his decision not to start Gareth Bale as Wales lost 2-1 to Belgium in the Nations League.
The result for Wales leaves them rooted to the bottom of the A4 League, but they have the chance to overtake Poland with a win on Sunday.
Bale was benched for the game and came on as a second-half substitute in the 61st minute.
Ex-England goalkeeper in no doubt Pickford is Southgate's number one
The LAFC winger has only had one training session with the squad after arriving from the United States on Tuesday and is set to start against Poland.
When asked why Bale didn't start, Page explained: "All the traveling. Jet lag coming back is hard work that players have to adapt to.
"Throwing him straight into an away game against Belgium would be crazy.
"It was good for him to have a few minutes after jet lag.
"A wise decision not to play from the start, but I was keen to step up as quickly as possible and help the team.
"It's a big lesson for us. We were without five players who would make us stronger."
The Wales boss is adamant that their full attention will be on the game against Poland on Sunday as they will need all three points to avoid relegation.
Page added: "It's a final. Forget the World Cup, this is the game we want to win on Sunday.
"We just need to get the guys back. There will be some changes made and we will put together a team to win the game.
"In qualifying for the World Cup, we are asking to compete against nations like Belgium, like Holland, and we were in the games until the end. That says a lot about this group of players ."
Brennan Johnson showed what he was capable of setting up Kieffer Moore's consolation goal with a fine assist.
The Nottingham Forest youngster has impressed in the Premier League with two goals this season and Page hailed his impact.
"Brennan has been superb, he has improved so much in such a short time.
"I asked him for something different, in midfield.
"When you see him running with the ball, it's great, it's his game, it's his strength."
Wales have been drawn into Group B for the World Cup, alongside England, Iran and the United States.
The game against Poland will be Page's last chance to assess his team before naming his last team before the tournament.
What's Your Reaction?
