The Wales manager says she has no qualms about her strategy ahead of Friday’s friendly game against South Korea and Tuesday’s meeting with Switzerland.
“I purposely made our schedule very difficult, but it is a balance,” said Wilkinson.
“We’re playing at the highest level, and we want to win. There’s something about our confidence that we’ve got to keep high going into next year’s qualifiers.
“So, we have two more challenging games, and there’s a performance level that I just expect now.”
Wales are winless in 11 matches and on a seven-game losing run — their worst since the 1990s — yet Wilkinson argues the brutal stretch is part of a necessary evolution.
“When you’re in Nations League A, when you’re at the Euros, when I’m trying to always play the best opposition, it’s tough,” she said.
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This year delivered Wales’ historic first major tournament at Euro 2025, but also sobering defeats to England, France and the Netherlands.
October’s camp summed up the inconsistency: a strong display in a 2-1 loss to Australia followed by a ragged 5-2 defeat at home to Poland.
“I felt like against Australia we showed a lot of who we are. And then a few days later we were just not able to do the same thing,” Wilkinson said.
“I was annoyed. They don’t see me annoyed that often.”
READ MORE: “I’m Not Proud of That” Admits Rhian Wilkinson After Wales Are Humbled by Poland
She accepts the losing run is weighing on the group.
“We’re not happy with it. We’re aware, it’s frustrating and it feels like a burden we don’t want to carry,” she said.
“We want to break that streak, of course we do. But equally… it’s because this team is really on a journey.”
Wilkinson has recalled several senior players and introduced five uncapped talents, praising the Adran Premier for producing players ready for the national setup.
“They’ve earned it, and I’m looking forward to having them come in as training players and to show me what they can give.”
Despite the results, the Canadian remains adamant the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term pain.
“That is what this year has been about — really moving the needle. Every step has been important and I know is going to set us up even better for 2026.”
Wales take on South Korea for the first time on Friday, 28 November in Malaga before facing Switzerland in Jerez on Tuesday, 2 December.
