Rob Page says he will not be “influenced by negativity” with his Wales tenure set to reach a critical juncture. Page has come under increasing pressure after an awful World Cup last autumn when Wales scored only once and finished bottom of their group and a Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that hit the rocks with defeats to Armenia and Turkey in June. Although Wales have lost talismanic captain Gareth Bale and others in recent months, many fans have turned on Page – a national hero just over 12 months ago as the Dragons qualified for their first World Cup since 1958 – and used social media to call for his dismissal. Page signed a four-year deal only 12 months ago and received the public backing of Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney after that miserable June double-header. But Page, who celebrates his 49th birthday on Sunday, is certain to come under intense scrutiny unless Wales revive their Euro 2024 qualification ambitions by beating Group D minnows Latvia in Riga on September 11. “Football is what it is,” said Page, who first has the opportunity to improve a record of one win in 12 games in a Cardiff friendly with Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea on Thursday. I can't do things to please other people because you are then riding the rollercoaster of emotions and I'd rather not do that Rob Page “I don’t need people to tell me I’ve done well. I look at myself in the mirror and, as long as I’m doing the the best I can, that’s all I ask for. “I can’t do things to please other people because you are then riding the rollercoaster of emotions and I’d rather not do that. “I played until I was 35 so I understand what social media is, but I don’t read it. I don’t read any articles from ex-players or reporters, because it will inevitably cloud your judgement and then you are going to be influenced by negativity. “I don’t need that in my life. I just want to stay focused on the job we’ve got and that is to get three points in Latvia.” Wales have won only once since beating Ukraine in the 2022 World Cup play-off final, a 1-0 home victory over Latvia in March. Page insists Wales currently find themselves in a similar position to when John Toshack blooded so many youngsters between 2004 and 2010 and gave the likes of Bale, Joe Allen and current captain Aaron Ramsey their international debuts. “This stat of one win in 12 keeps getting thrown at me, which frustrates the life out of me,” he said. “That is on paper. Yes. “But when you strip that away you see the opposition – playing Belgium, Holland and Poland twice because we got promoted from League B to League A in the Nations League and some were played around a World Cup play-off final. “So, let’s have a little bit of common sense with some of the fixtures we were up against and manage expectations. “We’ve lost arguably one of the world’s best players in Gareth Bale, some big characters on the playing side in Chris Gunter and Joe Allen, and now it’s about developing and evolving. “My remit now is to get the next batch of young kids through and it’s not going to happen overnight. Of course we don’t want too many results like Armenia – that is the one that has haunted me. ” Wales trail group leaders Turkey by six points in Euro 2024 qualifying and are three adrift of second-placed Armenia, who have a game in hand on Page’s side. Group favourites Croatia are level on Wales with four points but have played two fewer games and, with a top-two spot appearing improbable, the best the Dragons can seemingly hope for is play-off place through their Nations League status. Page said: “It’s probably the first test I’d have had since I’ve taken over. “Everything’s been rosy – we’ve had success, promotions and qualifications and this is the first time I’ve felt these two months have dragged – but I can’t wait for Sunday (the camp) to come.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mikel Arteta hails Eddie Nketiah’s fight to play for England after first call-up Getafe boss eager to help Mason Greenwood ‘recover professional status’ in Spain Dan Evans pushes Carlos Alcaraz to limit in entertaining showdown in New York

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Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) appeared to agree with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s assertion that Mexico poses a bigger threat to the US than Russia in a chummy 2024 campaign trail forum. The South Carolina senator joined five other Republican presidential candidates - except for former president Donald Trump - to appear at the forum hosted by Blaze Media, run by former Fox News host Glenn Beck, and the Iowa Family Leader, a socially conservative organisation that candidates frequently court. During the forum, Mr Carlson questioned candidates individually for approximately 25 minutes on current events and policies that voters may be interested in. Mr Carlson, who frequently criticises US support for Ukraine against Russia, began his conversation with Mr Scott by discussing the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The conservative television personality told Mr Scott Russia was not as big of a threat as Mexico. “So Russia is bad, Russia is a threat, Putin is evil. Got it,” he said. “But the total body count from Russia in the United States is right around zero. Like I don't know anyone who's been killed by Russia. I know people personally who have been killed by Mexico.” Mr Carlson specifically cited the fact that fentanyl comes over the US-Mexico border. “The government of Mexico allows fentanyl to be made in its country and to come over our border has remittances from Mexico are a huge part of their economy,” he said. “The Mexican government is a party to the murder of hundreds of 1000s of Americans. So why is Mexico less of a threat than Russia?” Mr Scott appeared to try and split the difference in his response. “I think we can walk and chew gum at the same time,” he said before adding that he sponsored legislation that would freeze the assets of the Mexican cartels to cut off the flow of fentanyl. “I do agree with you that 70,000 Americans losing their lives on an annual basis is an existential threat to America that we can solve,” he said. “We don't have to choose.” In response, Mr Carlson asked Mr Scott if he would support placing a tariff on Mexico to hurt its economy. “So you use every tool available to stop fentanyl coming across our border,” Mr Scott said. The South Carolina Senator advocated for building “the wall” – the southern border policy that Mr Trump ran his 2016 campaign on and promised to execute during his time in the White House. Reports indicate approximately 49 miles (79 km) of “the wall” was newly built during Mr Trump’s presidency. In addition to “the wall” Mr Scott said the US should close the southern border and install surveillance equipment to keep an eye on any people trying to enter illegally. Read More Biden campaign raised twice as much as Trump in 2nd quarter of 2023 Trump news – live: Jared Kushner and Hope Hicks testify in Jan 6 probe as Hunter Biden issues warning to Trump DeSantis to become 1st GOP candidate to file for South Carolina primary during visit next week Tucker Carlson and Mike Pence clash in heated exchange over Ukraine at GOP 2024 forum Tucker Carlson to launch new media company on Twitter, report says He was a loyal Fox viewer before he starred in a conspiracy theory. Now he’s suing

England were “struggling”. Two games into the World Cup and the final seemed a long way away. Despite the opening wins against Haiti and Denmark, England needed to change. While players and managers at major tournaments often repeat the line that results are all that matter, Sarina Wiegman was more concerned with how her side were underperforming. The Lionesses were faced with a lack of creativity, and a vulnerability to the counter-attack. But Wiegman and her coaching team had a back-up plan. A change in formation was an idea she and her staff discussed in April when they were designing a way for England to be more unpredictable at the World Cup. A 3-5-2 system was identified as a way to get more from certain players in the squad and play to their strengths, while also giving their opponents something new to think about. Still, when Wiegman was faced with the decision to rip up England’s approach and start again, she required courage and conviction to commit to it. She found it in the form of her assistant Arjan Veurink, who has been at Wiegman’s side for the past four major tournaments, previously with the Netherlands and now with England. With the injury to Keira Walsh following England’s win over Denmark, a blow that at the time appeared to rule the midfielder out of the tournament, Veurink went to Wiegman and said the time had come. “You’re completely right,” Wiegman replied. “This is the moment.” From there, the trait of England’s World Cup campaign became their adaptability, and the unsung stars became the new back three that was suddenly pulled together for the final group game against China. “The way they explained the reasons why and what they wanted to do was so easy to adapt to it,” said defender Jess Carter who, alongside captain Millie Bright and the exceptional Alex Greenwood, has been one of the revelations of England’s tournament. Carter had been dropped to the bench against Denmark and didn’t think she would play again, after arriving at the World Cup not expecting to play at all. But the 25-year-old has been ever present throughout the knockout stages at right-centre back, next to her Chelsea teammate Bright and with Greenwood on the opposite side. In England’s progress to their first World Cup final, Wiegmans’ new-found defence has emerged as its key strength, and has been the cornerstone of their resilience and mentality. There has been a balance to it, with each player in the back three complementing the other. Carter is the calm, assured defensive cover, brilliant in the one-on-ones. Bright is England’s rock, an aggressive front-foot defender who is then as dominant in the air as anyone in the world. Greenwood has arguably been England’s player of the tournament. On the left side of the three, her ability to pass through the line has allowed England to play out, while her sense to surge forward on the ball has frequently relieved pressure. It has seemed a natural connection, and how England have needed it. “It clicked really quickly,” Carter said. “Our honest communication with each other is something that’s really important. We tried to figure out really quickly what one another needed. I think we’re a very confident team and everyone’s got so many different types of experience. Seeing out games is something that is part of that experience.” In the last-16, they withstood the introduction of Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and then played extra time with 10 players after Lauren James’ red card. In the quarter-finals, Carter eventually restrained Colombia’s star forward Linda Caicedo, and Bright headed clear everything that was thrown into the box. Sam Kerr had her moment in the semi-finals, but England won the tactical battle against the Matildas and did not blink when the hosts equalised in Sydney. At 1-1, Carter made a crucial intervention when Cortnee Vine’s shot was saved by Mary Earps, which turned the game. But in the final, England’s back three face its biggest challenge yet. As Spain have overcome themselves to reach their first Women’s World Cup final, it was only poor finishing that resulted in their run to the final being closer than expected. They got away with it against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, and Sweden in the semis, but Spain created high-quality chances at a far greater rate than any of the four semi-finalists. While they have a way of missing chances, Spain’s build-up through a technical midfield that has the outstanding talent of Aitana Bonmati has been intricate and precise, and often a level above what England have shown. They will also offer threats that England have yet to face at the tournament, mainly, should head coach Jorge Vilda keep the same system, a false-nine in Jenni Hermoso. In the middle of England’s back three, Bright has relished the duels with the opposite central striker and come out on top since Wiegman’s switch. Hermoso, though, is different: when Spain’s record goalscorer drops into midfield to help with their build-up play, it could drag Bright into some uncomfortable positions, or isolate England’s captain. Spain’s style also features wingers who stay high and wide and another challenge for England will be how they deal with them. It could fall to England’s wing-backs Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly but when Spain have established possession, their full-backs Ona Batlle and Olga Carmona must also be accounted for. Meanwhile, if Carter and Greenwood are pulled away from Bright to deal with Spain’s wide threats, it only creates space for Bonmati and Alexia Putellas in the inside channels, the areas where Spain’s two stars can cause the most danger. It may be, however, that Spain’s most dangerous threat does not even start. Salma Paralluelo has come off the bench to devastating effect to score in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the winner against the Netherlands and then the opener against Sweden. The 19-year-old, who was tipped to be a future Olympic sprinter before signing for Barcelona at the start of the season, has electrifying pace and has used it to blow Spain’s last two games wide open, while also providing the lethal finishing her team desperately required. If Paralluelo is kept to the bench, her arrival will signal the moment where the game changes, although England could then mirror it now Lauren James is back for suspension in time for the final. Indeed, given how both teams have reached the final, the appearance of James should worry Spain a lot more than the potential impact of Paralluelo. While England’s defence has been the backbone of their tournament, Spain can hardly say the same about theirs. While England have the pragmatic nous of European champions, Spain are likely to start with the inexperienced goalkeeper Cata Coll and centre-back Laia Codina. Both were parachuted in for the knockout stages, following Spain’s 4-0 defeat to Japan in the groups, and if they start the final, it will only be Codina’s sixth match for Spain, and Coll’s fourth. Spain have shown vulnerabilities late in games and conceded late goals against the Netherlands and Sweden, even if they ultimately recovered. With that, and in many other ways, Spain and England’s journeys to the World Cup final have shared plenty in common. But if the old adage is true that attack wins you games and defence wins you titles, then it’s an area where England have so far displayed a clear advantage. Read More How to watch England vs Spain: TV channel and kick-off time for Women’s World Cup final England stand on the brink of history — and a moment to change the game forever Sarina Wiegman: ‘Stop talking about the result — we know what we want’ Women’s football world rankings: Who could take No 1 at the World Cup? Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Sarina Wiegman thankful for ‘dream’ support as World Cup final set to unite country

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