Chris Coleman insists he's not affected by scrutiny over position as Wales manager
CHRIS Coleman insists he has not been affected by scrutiny over his position as Wales manager.
After Wales opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with consecutive defeats, the second a 6-1 mauling in Serbia, pressure has begun to mount on the former Swansea City defender.
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Chris Coleman
Wales have lost all four games he has been in charge for after Gary Speed's reign ended with the team on a high.
But Coleman is adamant he is unconcerned by speculation over his future.
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"If I'd won the last five games and then lost 6-1, people are going to come after that," he said.
"We didn't have a decent record before that result — that's there.
"I've been in charge for four games and we haven't won yet. That's coming after someone who won the last four out of five.
"The expectations were there when I came in the door and I knew that.
"I don't worry about it. If I was worried about it I wouldn't have made the decisions I made coming into this game."
Coleman has made changes for this game.
Ashley Williams is the new captain, while the squad's training programme has also been altered.
"There was so much said about things working and so they couldn't be changed," said the former Fulham and Coventry boss.
"I had to keep the same philosophy and things like that.
"I felt pressure to keep things the same although I agreed with a lot of it because it was working.
"I thought, don't try and fix it if it doesn't need fixing, but we're four games in now and we haven't won any of them.
"I had to change things, it's my job, it's my responsibility."
Gareth Bale hasn't trained all week but is expected to play tonight, while Adam Matthews is likely to miss out with an ankle problem. He could return for Tuesday's trip to Croatia, though.
Matthews joins a length injury list that includes the likes of Craig Bellamy, Neil Taylor, Wayne Hennessey, Boaz Myhill and Jack Collison.
"You can't keep sticking with something when it's not working," Coleman added.
"It's like wearing someone else's jacket if it doesn't fit.
"The worst thing we could have done is nothing and we've done the opposite to that because I've changed a lot of things, subtle things, behind the scenes.
"This week it's been a good camp, it's been positive and the intensity has been good in the training sessions.
"I'm happy with the way things have gone."
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