By David Williams
Wales captain Ben Davies has told the boss of the Football Association of Wales to zip it over the future of manager Rob Page.
Davies and his squad are fuming that Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney has undermined Page on the eve of their crunch Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Croatia on Sunday night.
Tottenham defender Davies had wanted all the focus to be on how Wales were going to beat the Croatians for the first time in seven attempts to keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification for the finals in Germany.
Instead, in a midweek interview before Wales’ friendly against Gibraltar, Mooney stressed a review of Page’s position would take place next month even though the manager has three years left on his current deal.
That was followed by reports that Mooney spent the summer trying to convince FAW colleagues they should dump Page and replace him with Mooney’s fellow Irishman Roy Keane.
Asked about Mooney’s machinations, Davies said: “It’s not helpful.
“We don’t want noise coming from within the organisation. We hope that everybody is on the same page.
“It is disappointing to hear, but as far we are concerned it’s not our focus.
Dramatic Wales press conference before Euro qualifier v Croatia.
▪️Rob Page to ‘ignore the noise’ amid Roy Keane Wales job link.
▪️Coaching staff turn up to back Page in show of unity
▪️Captain Ben Davies calls CEO Noel Mooney’s comments ‘unhelpful’ https://t.co/5pdz7gr9CV— Phil Blanche 🏴 (@philblanche) October 14, 2023
“Our focus is the game against Croatia. It’s been swept under the rug as far as we are concerned and we are looking forward to the game.
“As far as we’re concerned it’s just outside noise. We’re very supportive of the manager.
“We’re a tight-knit group and I think that’s part of the reason we’ve had the success we’ve had over the years is because we all stick together.
“Stuff that comes from outside the camp is nothing to do with us. It’s nothing we can control and as far as we’re concerned we’re fully behind him.”
Only a year ago, Page was was the toast of the nation having guided Wales to their first appearance at a World Cup finals for 64 years.
That had followed qualification for Euro 2020, but getting to Euro 2024 has proved more difficult and realistically Wales must finish with three victories to be placed in the top two of Group D.
After taking on Luka Modric and his World Cup semi-finalists tonight, Wales need to win away in Armenia and at home to Turkey if they are to clinch qualification.
Davies added: “We have created those expectations but those expectations exist within our group as well.
“We have performed well in the past and got to major tournaments and we want to experience it again.
“It’s definitely hard to get there. It’s been hard every time, but that’s what we aspire to do and that’s what we’re working towards again.”
Page himself has brushed off suggestions he will be sacked if he fails to take Wales to the Euro 2024 finals.
The Wales manager became emotional when asked about reports linking Keane with his own job, ahead of the vital clash at home to Croatia.
Croatia’s shock 1-0 home defeat to Turkey on Thursday night means Wales now have no margin for error in their qualification campaign.
Page has stressed he is attempting to rebuild around youngsters such as Brennan Johnson, Jordan James and Charlie Savage as well as qualify for major tournaments, following the retirement of stars such as Gareth Bale.
“All I have to focus on is before the World Cup I signed a four-year deal and the long-term plan for me is to start introducing young players into the group,” said Page, who succeeded Ryan Giggs in November 2020.
Ben Davies of Wales throwing the equipment at this morning’s Wales football team training, pics by Andrew Orchard pic.twitter.com/rwF6mb9Bhq
— Andrew Orchard (@sportsphotoAOSP) October 14, 2023
“We are in a transition period and we have said this time and time again. We are losing big players like Joe Allen and Gareth Bale – not just for what they bring us on the pitch but also the value they add in the changing room.
“We’ve seen the talent we’ve got coming through. We’re developing these young players and it’s going to take time.
“But I get the frustration. We want to win games of football but there’s got to be a bit of perspective. I’m doing what’s best for the FAW, not myself.”
Page – who signed a new contract 12 months ago to take him through to 2026 – insisted the players are still behind him, despite laying fourth in their qualification group.
“That’s never been in doubt for me. I wish the supporters could see what we’ve got in that changing room. It’s incredible. It means a lot.”
Wales are hopeful central defender Chris Mepham will overcome a hamstring injury to take his place in a side already without injured regular captain Aaron Ramsey.