Wales Reporter Notebook: Euro 2024 qualification can be achieved without Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale

And that’s where tactics and perhaps a little luck come in. Finland will be physical, they’ll pose a set-piece threat and defensively they will aim to be compact and narrow Wales, negate the pace players like Brennan Johnson, Dan James and Neco Williams offer.

If those three have a free pass – unlikely – then Wales will overrun Finland. So how do Page and his coaching staff prepare for this and ensure Wales don’t become frustrated?

Patience is an obvious answer, but Wales also have players who can hold the ball, deliver a pass and pull and push an opposition about so that gaps appear.

This is where Ethan Ampadu, Harry Wilson and the ever-impressive Jordan James come in. It’s not their job to fly down the flanks, but they might be the key to Welsh success. If they can deny Finland possession, get them running around the pitch without the ball then they will tire, get frustrated, lose shape and then gaps will appear.

I’ve not mentioned Aaron Ramsey or Gareth Bale yet. I have now… But note how I have not mentioned how Wales could use Ramsey to outplay Finland. This team doesn’t need Ramsey. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a serious world-class talent and a great option to use but maybe now we are at a crossroads where Wales can cope.

The transition of Wales from when they had Ramsey and Bale pulling the strings to a new generation is well under way and is bearing fruit. The younger generation have beaten Croatia and outplayed Turkey – Ramsey was injured, Bale retired.

Last year, consistency and a full 90-minute performance were the only things missing at times. The continued transition of the side must now bring consistency.

As Wales sit on the cusp of qualifying for a third straight Euros, if successful, they do so without Bale. Page and Ben Davies, who’ll captain the side against Finland, won’t hide the fact that his retirement took away a potent weapon, but should Wales navigate the play-offs and reach Germany, perhaps it would be an equal, if not a greater achievement, than past qualifications.

Wales squad to face Finland

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Tom King, Adam Davies.

Defenders: Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Joe Low, Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Neco Williams, Jay DaSilva, Connor Roberts, Wes Burns.

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan, Dylan Levitt, Jordan James, Charlie Savage, Harry Wilson, Aaron Ramsey, David Brooks.

Forwards: Nathan Broadhead, Rabbi Matondo, Daniel James, Liam Cullen, Rubin Colwill, Brennan Johnson, Kieffer Moore.