Craig Bellamy said he had been through a "really difficult" spell as Wales manager after facing what he described as "abuse" during his team's run without a win, but added that their recent victory over Norway had buoyed morale.
Bellamy acknowledged the personal and professional strain of the winless period, saying the criticism — which he referred to as the "stick" — had been painful. He said the improvement in results against Norway helped to relieve some of the pressure on himself and the squad.
The head coach framed the Norway result as an important emotional lift for the team rather than a cure-all, saying it had restored some confidence and eased tensions after a challenging run. He emphasised that rebuilding momentum would require continued work on and off the pitch.
Bellamy's comments underline the scrutiny national team coaches face when results falter and the role a single positive result can play in changing the atmosphere around a team. He indicated the squad would aim to build on the uplift from the Norway win as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.