Page's 'slap' response to shock wrong - Roberts

Wales conceded three goals in a qualification match for the first time since 2006

Ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts has rounded on manager Robert Page's tactics and response to the shock Euro 2024 qualifier defeat by Armenia.

But Roberts said he was stunned by that assessment to such a "shocking" display that has left Wales facing an "almost impossible" task to qualify.

The result saw Wales drop to third in Group D ahead of Monday's crucial match away to leaders Turkey.

"I don't agree with Rob's comments... why do Wales need a slap in the face?" Roberts told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"We've only got eight games in this campaign. It's not a league season of 46 games where you can afford one or two blips. It's almost an impossible task now. It was a shocking result.

"We started well and scored a good goal but then for some reason, as an 11, we just got deeper and deeper, gave away possession far too easily and gave Armenia a pathway back.

"We've just made Armenia look like Argentina."

Missing Joe

Wales lost a wealth of experience ahead of this campaign with the international retirements of Joe Allen, Chris Gunter, Jonny Williams and, of course, talisman Gareth Bale.

• Armenia defeat a 'slap' Wales need - Page
• Wales humiliated at home by Armenia
• The state of play in Euro 2024 qualifying

However Roberts added: "The player we missed most [against Armenia] was probably Joe Allen. The way he would break up the play in midfield it really protected the centre-backs.

"Aaron Ramsey did the role but nowhere near as good as Joe. We have got to find a way in the next two days to sort that out."

Shaky defence

Ahead of Friday night Wales had conceded just 10 goals in their previous 24 qualifying matches and were unbeaten at the Cardiff City Stadium in European qualifiers since 2010.

"Our success has been based on a solid defence, not just the back [line] but the whole team as a unit but we've gone away from that. We've only kept one clean sheet in the last 11 games.

"WI felt sorry for Ben Davies and Conor Roberts because Joe Rodon and Chris Mepham didn't take responsibility for the men they should have picked up so the wing backs were getting dragged in too narrow which gave Armenia too much time and space."

Tactics

Manager Page said he took full responsibility for Wales' disappointingly lacklustre display at the World Cup in November but received a vote of "complete confidence" from the Football Association of Wales chief Noel Mooney.

Roberts said: "Rob has been in charge for 33 games and for 95% of those he has played a back five. During the World Cup qualifying campaign, against Austria and Ukraine in the play-offs, in the Nations League campaign, always a back five.

"Now all of a sudden he's moved away from what brought success and gone to a back four and I don't know why.

"I just don't think you can play a back four with Rodon and Mepham because they're miles off the pace because they're just not playing enough for their clubs."

Off the pace

Roberts believes Wales are paying the price for having too many players who are not regular starters for their club sides.

"I don't know where Rodon's career is going. He's had three managers at Spurs who have not played him. He's gone to Rennes for game time but started one of their last 14 games," he said.

"It's the same with Kieffer Moore who hasn't stated for Bournemouth since mid-January and he's our main man up front.

"It was the same at the World Cup. We looked miles off the pace in those three games and the same last night."

Moore is suspended for Monday's game against Turkey in Samsun.