Joe Ledley praises Wales' versatility ahead of Ukraine friendly
Saturday 26 March 2016 00:02, UK
Joe Ledley believes Wales' tactical flexibility will provide them with an advantage at Euro 2016.
Wales manager Chris Coleman said this week that he was so sure how England would play in France this summer that he would not scout them in the same detailed way as fellow Group B rivals Slovakia and Russia.
Coleman's side regularly changed systems during their successful qualifying campaign, and the Wales boss reverted from a 3-5-2 formation to 4-4-2 for Thursday night's 1-1 friendly draw with fellow finalists Northern Ireland.
Although Wales were only spared defeat by Simon Church's last-minute penalty at the Cardiff City Stadium, Ledley feels Wales' adaptability will be a powerful weapon when the finals get under way in June.
"These friendlies are good to show what formations we can play going into the Euros," said Ledley.
"We can mix it up and I think that will give us an advantage. I thought we were fantastic against Northern Ireland, we treated it like a competitive game and not just a friendly.
"We stuck in, got a draw, and on a different day we would have won it."
Wales' next test, away to Ukraine in Kiev on Monday, will be their penultimate game before their first major finals for 58 years.
After that comes a trip to Sweden just six days before Wales kick off their Euro 2016 campaign against Slovakia in Bordeaux on June 11.
"Our game face is on now, qualification is gone and we need to focus on what's lying ahead of us," said Ledley.
"We've made history by qualifying, but we've got to go and enjoy the competition.
"It's exciting times for Welsh football with the youngsters doing well below us, which is fantastic to see, and we just need to stick by what we're doing to get through the group.
"Ukraine is going to be difficult with them being a good side and the long flight to get there. But if we can show the same dedication we did against Northern Ireland then hopefully we can get on top."
