Radio 4 presenter brands Wales ‘one man team’ following Bale hat trick
A Radio 4 presenter has branded Wales a “one man team” following Gareth Bale’s hat trick against Belarus.
English sports broadcaster Rob Bonnet made the comments on the Today programme while discussing Wales’ 3 – 2 win in the World Cup qualifier over the weekend, suggesting it was the case “whatever the denials”.
Wales found themselves in a perilous position in the game as they trailed 2-1 against a Belarusian side 70 places below them in the Fifa world rankings.
But captain Bale scored two penalties as well as last gasp winner in added time to snatch a hard-fought victory.
After discussing England’s qualifier first, Bonnet said: “Well that’s England. What about Wales, who won their away fixture against Belarus 3 – 2. All three goals from Gareth Bale, two penalties and a 93rd minute winner.
“And so John, whatever the denials, Wales still have the look don’t they of a one man team.”
Sports correspondent John Murray replied: “Well, they don’t need to apologise for relying on Gareth Bale, particularly when he delivers as dramatically as he did in that match in Kazan.
“This set of internationals has been beset by difficulties for Wales, but while they’ve got Bale, they’ve got hope. Even at the age of 32 he keeps delivering.”
He then discussed Wales’ chances of qualifying from its group: “Wales, they’ve got the world number one team Belgium in their group, who had a very good 3 – 0 will against the Czech Republic last night. But second place in the group is very much up for grabs for Wales.”
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Every time he scores we are a “1 man team”. How about the previous 17 internationals he didn’t score in? Was he carrying the team then? Honest to god, unless its just England, the English press know f-all about international football and just make stuff up with their peanut sized brains.
All the talking heads on BBC Sport are Anglo centred. Can’t see further than English success ( or failure). Seriously concerned since 2016 that Wales might usurp their position as “dominant” UK side.
I think Wales are much more relaxed about where they are and how they manage to buck the odds at times, whereas England are uptight, hung up on their various issues, and always see “others” trying to do them down. The recurring “we, we, we ” of coverage of those last Euros was terrible even when England weren’t on the pitch !
The ITV ‘punditry’ during the Euros regarding Wales was abysmal. It was genuinely Bale this, Ramsey that. Maybe a bit of talk about James. But it seemed like they had no idea who anyone else was.
The “one-man-team” myth was effectively put in the bin in Euro 2016, and nothing in the teams performances since then has justified trying to resurrect it. Nice try, Bonnet.
They aren’t a one man team. They need the English players who are in the side as well
Rob has a bee in his … ever since we went further in Euro 2016 than his beloved England.
Ah … diddums.
If this doesn’t persuade you why media should be devolved then nothing will. We are literally paying the English government for this misinformation and crap.
The BBC is an independent corporation funded by a licence fee. It is not directly funded by the government. How would you ‘devolve’ media?
Sounds like a bitter BBC shock-jock if you ask me.
I don’t care who scores for Wales, be it Bale or whoever, so long as we win.. It takes a team to engineer a goal not just one man. Think that Radio 4 presenter should be demoted to GB News where all the nut-jobs go to die.
Do people in Cymru still listen to the Today programme on Boris Broadcasting Conservatism ? Why ?
We made the last 16 in Euro 2020. Bale didn’t score and even missed a few clear chances and a penalty. But, of course, we’ll always be a one man team to some people who only have a very superficial grasp of the game.
English centric BS. Next?!