article: Many of them are a similar age, and have been playing together at international level for a long time now. Former Wales manager John Toshack deserves a lot of credit for that, after bringing them through a few years ago and giving them a lot of experience when they were young lads. Quite a few people, including myself, probably did not appreciate that much at the time but that policy is coming to fruition now. As well as a real togetherness, there is quality, depth and balance to Coleman's squad. Wales have done brilliantly to be on the brink of qualifying for Euro 2016, and this is why I am 100% confident they will see the job through. Up front is a good example of how adaptable Wales have become. On paper, our strikers might look a weak link because it is the only area where we don't have a Premier League player. At times during this campaign Wales have not even had an out-and-out number nine, but that has not been a problem during the last six matches. Whoever has been leading the line has done a terrific job, and not necessarily by scoring goals themselves. With Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey in the team, the striker's job is to work the opposition defence and do a lot of running to make space for those two to get forward. I did something similar when Mark Hughes was Wales manager, when I played up front with Craig Bellamy and Ryan Giggs running off me. The difference here is that while I could only play as a centre-forward, Hal Robson-Kanu can go out wide and allow other players to come through the middle. It looks like Robson-Kanu will be fit to face Cyprus despite a groin injury but, even if he isn't, Sam Vokes or Simon Church will play a similar role to stretch Cyprus and Israel and create openings for the Wales midfield. Defender James Chester has been another injury doubt this week, while we already knew midfielder Joe Allen would be missing. They are both important players but it shows the strength of Coleman's squad that, if needed, two more Premier League players in James Collins and Andy King can come in. Ashley Williams is a rock, and a superb captain, and I love seeing Joe Ledley sitting in front of the back four. It all means that, as well as carrying a threat going forward, defensively Wales always look really solid too. Wales have had world class players like Bale and Ramsey before, of course, but I don't think we have had an entire group with such quality in my lifetime. They all seem to be pushing each other on and I am really confident they will make it to France. This team should be around for a few years yet, too. Only Williams and Collins are over 30, and most of the players are in their mid 20s - the average age of their latest squad is less than 26. Because they got their chance early they already have
summary: I loved working with this Wales team for over a year as Chris Coleman's assistant and I know just how tight-knit they are as a group.