Page right man for Wales, says Euro 2016 hero Vokes

Former Wales striker Sam Vokes believes Robert Page should remain in charge of the national team, at least for the rest of 2024.

Despite pressure from fans following recent results, Vokes thinks the Football Association of Wales (FAW) will stick with Page for the autumn's Nations League campaign.

Senior figures have yet to comment on Page's position after a goalless draw with Gibraltar and 4-0 defeat in Slovakia, but said they “review each camp and reflect properly” after any international window.

"I personally still feel like he's the right man," Wycombe forward Vokes told the Elis James Feast of Football podcast.

"I feel like the lads let him down a little bit over the last two games.

"I know lads that are still involved in the camp and they like him as manager and want to play for him."

Page, who is contracted until 2026, was booed by some travelling fans during both this month's friendlies, leading the Wales boss to say “they (Wales’ fans) want me out. I completely understand".

"It's horrible to hear at any any level," said Vokes who was part of the Wales squad that reached the semi-final of Euro 2016.

"Fans are totally entitled to their views, especially the fans that travel the miles that Wales fans do, and sometimes put up with the results like that.

"I know he [Page] is taking it on his own shoulders with the comments after the game. He's taking the pressure off the lads, he's put it on himself and kind of said to the fans 'it's on me'."

Wales missed out on qualification for this summer's Euro 2025 finals in Germany after losing a play-off final against Poland on penalties.

Their next fixtures are at home against Turkey and away to Montenegro in September, before four further fixtures in October and November in a Nations League Division B group which also includes Iceland.

"Coming up now with the next fixtures we've got in the Nation's League it's actually a great time for us," said Vokes.

"It's not obviously a qualification tournament, it's kind of seen as a secondary sort of tournament the Nations League, and I think that's a great time for him to get that - I don't want to say that buzz back because we've always got it as a nation when we turn up at match day - but kind of get that feeling back that we can go and do something and qualify."

And Vokes, who scored 11 goals in 68 Wales internationals, believes the FAW will take the same view and give Page a chance to develop a Wales team seen as in transition.

"I do, yes," said Vokes.

"It's actually a great chance for us without the pressure of going straight into a qualification campaign for a tournament.

"Don't get me wrong, there's pressure and there's two tough games to start with by the way.

"We've got the rest of the calendar year of Nations League and that is a good chance to stick with him and see if we get a response from the team and the players in that time."