Inside Wales HQ: Bellamy's tactical masterclass

Craig Bellamy has peeled back the curtain on his time – and his tactics – as Wales boss, revealing his players are better than he first thought.

It is one of the fascinating insights from an extended conversation with BBC Sport Wales' Feast of Football podcast to give an insight into life as Wales head coach.

Recorded in the wake of a 7-1 thrashing of North Macedonia which sealed a place in the 2026 World Cup play-offs, the 46-year-old discusses his approach to matches and training as he builds towards a World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina in March and a possible home final against either Italy or Northern Ireland when a place at next year's tournament will be up for grabs.

In a wide-ranging chat, Bellamy looks forward to the play-offs, explains why his players have surprised him and reveals the biggest influences on his coaching career.

Here are some of the main takeaways from Bellamy's appearance on Feast of Football.

"Players have got to understand their role. I feel that's where the team benefit. You have a clear identity [when players] have an appreciation for other players.

"Players teach you that as well. Some are way better. I thought they were good, but they are a lot better than I actually thought they were.

"Understanding the system within the team is the most important [thing]. Sometimes I don't feel we give enough credit to players who are able to sacrifice themselves for the team.

"I don't see Culls (Liam Cullen) as the type of player [who plays] in the front three areas. I see him as one line deeper. But one thing I didn't realise is that he can move [into a deeper midfield role] because he is so tactically clever. I was like 'whoa'.

"The balance he gives us without the ball is hugely, hugely important."

"[We knew] they could move from a five [at the back] to a four. They actually do it during a game.

"They start using a five, they are cautious, and then they look to build from there.

"What we saw from the first game - the learning from the first game - was how do we encourage them to jump even more? Set traps.

"When a team jumps, they are going to leave space.

"[Coming to] our ground, they start to jump. Second half they changed... we stayed calm, then we are picking you off.

"That's when those games turn into five, six, seven."

"I call it speed dating. I don't have the time to really slow it down and simplify it.

"You create the scenarios in training. We have to be tactically flexible so we can change to different shapes [in response] to what [our opponents] do.

"We are always looking - whatever they do - at how do we create the extra man?"

"I have been watching them. They are a good team, well organised.

"They have a good understanding of what they are about, defend the box well, they don't need many chances to score, good wingers – they are just a good profile of a team.

"They don't look to trigger too much on the press. They are happy to sit in a mid-block. That means they don't defend deep.

"But they have legs really that are able to counter well. I expected that Balkan, strong type of team - and that's exactly what I have seen."

"Sir Bobby Robson for his man-management because it's key. I have got to allow you to believe what I'm telling you will allow you to be the best player on the pitch.

"I have to get you to feel that. If someone's telling you how brilliant you are and watch what you are going to do for them tomorrow, it helps.

"With the confidence [Sir Bobby] would give to me, every time I went on to the pitch with him I felt like I was the best player in the world.

"There were loads of bad moments, loads of coaches I didn't quite see eye to eye with. I learned loads – I wouldn't quite do it [their]way.

"A lot of developing was more with Vincent Kompany, because we spent so much time together - especially in Belgium – where we were from 7am until 11.30 12 at night nearly every day.

"Sometimes we were walking on the pitch under the floodlights on our own.

"I do miss those days. I am grateful for them."