Craig Bellamy believes Gary Speed is the man to deliver success to Wales despite the defeat to England.
Striker impressed by Wales' professionalism under Speed
Craig Bellamy believes Gary Speed is the man to deliver success to Wales despite Saturday's disappointing defeat to England.
Wales went down 2-0 in an eagerly-awaited encounter at the Millennium Stadium to effectively end their hopes of making it through to Euro 2012.
However, Bellamy believes the long-term future is bright for the team, with a number of exciting young players and a new manager in Speed.
Bellamy has been impressed with how the former national captain has modernised the team's set-up.
The 31-year-old said: "It has been the best week I've been involved in with Welsh football, to be honest.
"All my career I've been fortunate enough to play for my country, but for the first time I really see a future, and the national team being able to do something.
"It has been so professional, the preparation this week. It's been so spot-on.
"There has to be professionalism off the pitch to get a good performance on it.
"For the first time in my Welsh history - we touched on it a bit with Mark Hughes - we are more developed.
"I have spent all my career involved in really highly professional clubs and then when I came to Wales it was amateur.
"But I have seen so much to be pleased about this week.
"I have no doubt Welsh football in four or five years' time will be having a lot of success."
Learning curve
Whilst his own international career may be drawing
towards a conclusion, Bellamy feels the loss to England will provide important lessons for many of the players.
Aaron Ramsey, who became the country's youngest-ever captain on Saturday at the age of 20, will lead Wales into what Bellamy believes will be a successful new era.
"We have young players we have to be positive about," said the striker, currently on loan at Cardiff from Manchester City.
"We are not just playing young players, but good young players. In a few years these players will have learnt from this game.
"I'll be watching in the stands. A lot of my years have been wasted but these young players are going to learn from this.
"We're obviously disappointed but in the long run it will be very important.
"It is not nice losing games and it is not going to benefit me, but it will benefit a lot of young players."
