James Collins has conceded that Wales need a ‘miracle’ if they are to make it through to Euro 2012 as they head to Basel to face Switzerland (1/2 to beat Wales) on Tuesday night.
The Welsh couldn’t have made a worse start to their qualifying campaign, losing their opening two matches to Montenegro and Bulgaria, failing to score a goal in both.
Defeat in the opening game with Montenegro (11/1 to win Group G) saw the end of John Toshack’s time in charge of the Wales (50/1) team.
Brian Flynn has taken over on a temporary basis and built up Friday’s match against Bulgaria as a must win contest.
The former Wrexham boss also promised the Welsh public goals but failed to deliver as the Bulgarian’s came away from Cardiff City Stadium with a 1-0 win.
Flynn must now try and pick up his disillusioned players for the game against Switzerland, who are also winless from their first two matches.
The caretaker boss will be without some key men for the trip to Basel with skipper Craig Bellamy absent along with Sam Ricketts, Chris Gunter, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley and Robert Earnshaw, most of who would have started on Tuesday night had they been available.
To make matters worse Wales haven’t won on Swiss soil for 12 years as they look to avoid losing their first three qualifiers for the first time in 40 years.
Collins has almost admitted defeat in their bid to reach a first major championship since the 1958 World Cup, claiming they can’t expect to be in the Ukraine and Poland in two years time when they have lost their first two matches.
“Miracles are needed to if we are to get second place in this group,” said Aston Villa defender Collins.
“And we can’t expect to qualify after losing our first two qualifiers.
“Everyone has to up their game and performance.
“And being one of the older players, I must show some of the younger boys how and lead by example.”
Wales fans will certainly be hoping for a better performance from the one they got on Friday night when a lacklustre team was punished by a well organised Bulgarian outfit.
Despite the qualification campaign being just two games old Wales appear to be on the brink of another collapse in their bid to reach a major tournament and are now 33/1 to qualify for Euro 2012.
With Montenegro on nine poins and England on six it would take a huge turnaround of fortunes if Wales are to reach Euro 2012.
However, Tuesday’s opponents are also desperate for a win, with Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld telling his side they must beat the Welsh if they are to reach Euro 2012.
“We desperately need a win so that we can release the tension and we have got to beat Wales on Tuesday to start our recovery,” said the German.
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