Flynn: Bale will be singled out

12 October 2010 07:30

Gareth Bale can expect to be tightly marked on Tuesday night, and for the rest of his career, according to Wales caretaker manager Brian Flynn.

Flynn is hoping Tottenham star Bale can produce his best form to help kickstart Wales' disappointing Euro 2012 qualification campaign against Switzwerland after the principality lost their opening two games.

He said: "The Bulgarians doubled up on him; special treatment, he has to work it out. He has to be clever, he can't rely on pace to get him out of a situation. The tag of being a match-winner he carries on his shoulders. He is regarded like that by Tottenham now. It is a big responsibility but he is capable of carrying that."

Flynn knows Cardiff-born Bale well, having guided him through the national age-group sides in recent years.

It was his work with those teams, particularly the Under-21s, that earned Flynn the first shot at the senior job when John Toshack stepped aside last month.

Flynn was put in charge for this month's double-header against Bulgaria and Switzerland and, after defeat in the capital on Friday, now has just one more chance to prove his suitability for the job full-time.

But despite the importance of the game at Basle's St Jakob Park for him personally, Flynn wants to focus on the prospects of the team, who have no points from two games.

"I need Wales to win," he said. "It is not about me, it is about Wales. I have not said a word to the players about my position.

"All I have said is that we can go to Basle and get a result."

Source: PA