Wales striker Liam Cullen is celebrating what he called a “perfect start” under new manager Craig Bellamy, crediting the team’s progress as a stepping stone toward securing World Cup qualification. Swansea forward Cullen netted his first two international goals as Wales bounced back from an early deficit to claim a 4-1 victory over Iceland in the Nations League on Tuesday.

Craig Bellamy hopes his success in leading Wales to Nations League promotion will convince his doubters he is not “the lunatic” some of them believe. The Wales boss – in as forthright and free-flowing a mood as his players had been – extended his unbeaten run to six games to make it the best start by a Wales manager as his side recovered from conceding an early goal to beat Iceland 4-1 in Cardiff.

Craig Bellamy has discarded various Nations League permutations facing Wales by declaring his solitary focus is on beating Iceland in their final group fixture. Wales can still secure automatic promotion to League A by beating Iceland on Tuesday night if leaders Turkey lose to bottom-placed Montenegro.

Karl Darlow dodged lighters thrown towards him and “white noise” at the ear-splitting Kadir Has Stadium to help Wales secure a battling Nations League draw in Turkey. Wales spent large periods of the clash under the cosh, but Darlow’s steady handling and shot-saving ability ensured the tie finished 0-0. Turkey did have the chance to seal matters – and promotion to League A into the bargain – from the penalty spot in the 89th-minute, but Kerem Akturkoglu’s effort struck the outside of the post and went wide.

Joe Allen and Craig Bellamy go back a long way – way before the former was calling the current Wales manager, “Boss”. But going from providing the shots to calling them, is something Allen himself may well do when he hangs up his boots.

Wales midfielder Josh Sheehan feels the ‘Swansea Way,’ has signposted a route from the lower reaches of the Football League to the international highway. Sheehan delivered an outstanding performance last month in a match against Montenegro, helping Wales secure a 1-0 home victory and keep their unbeaten run in the Nations League intact.

Jordan James will be hoping a new manager will provide a fresh start at Rennes after a slow beginning to his career in French football. Wales midfielder James – who is set to feature for Craig Bellamy’s side in Turkey this weekend – has made only three brief substitute appearances for Rennes since moving there from Birmingham City, and not played at all since September 21.

Dan James is determined to make up for lost time on the international stage as Wales seek to silence raucous Turkey supporters in their potential Nations League group decider. Leeds winger James has joined a Craig Bellamy Wales squad for the first time after missing the new manager’s opening two camps with a hamstring injury.

Ben Davies believes Wales can challenge the best with promotion to the top tier of the Nations League in their sights. Only Germany, with 17, have created more big chances in the competition than Wales’ 13 heading into the final round of fixtures.

Wales manager Craig Bellamy has likened “streetwise” Harry Wilson to South American trio Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez. Former striker Bellamy played alongside all three players – with Tevez at Manchester City and Mascherano and Suarez in two different spells at Liverpool – during his colourful career at the top level.

Wales have welcomed back Daniel James and Rubin Colwill for their final Nations League games against Turkiye and Iceland. James has yet to play for new boss Craig Bellamy after suffering a hamstring injury in August.

Has there ever been a more reliable Welsh footballer than Jess Fishlock? It’s a question worth considering after her country’s heroine once again came to Wales’ rescue late on Tuesday night.