Ben Davies exclusive | Special nights with Wales, then onto the next one as City await…

Maybe, one day, Ben Davies will allow himself a little time for reflection. At the moment, it’s all about looking forward.

“No, not really,” was his response when asked if, after a momentous week of international action, he’d afforded himself a minute to look back at it all - 92 Wales caps, captaining his country this week to the top of their group in the UEFA Nations League, and the likely back-up of a play-off place if World Cup qualifying doesn’t go their way, approaching 10 years at Spurs (that will be in July), 336 appearances for us (341 is Bill Nicholson, and then he’s into our all-time top 30), already third all-time European appearance maker (on 69, Hugo Lloris is next on 70, Harry Kane top on 76), World Cup appearances, European Championship appearances...

Why not? Well, focus is now back to club matters and a trip to Manchester City on Saturday. That’s the life of a footballer - look forward, not back. There is always a game around the corner...

As always though, Ben found time for us ahead of training at Hotspur Way on Thursday afternoon...

Congratulations with Wales, Ben - top of the group... and to think, on Saturday, Turkey missed a late penalty against you at 0-0, which would have completely changed everything...

Ben: “Moments in games can change everything. I thought we did enough in the Turkey game to earn a draw. It was a tough game, we defended well, and we did what we could in a tough environment. I didn’t think it was a penalty, either, so maybe a bit of karma was on our side! We were quality against Iceland on Tuesday night. I thought we played really well. We got off to a tough start where things weren’t going our way (Wales went behind early before a 4-1 win in Cardiff), but we stuck to what we were trying to do, and the result was great for us in the end.”

That’s 92 caps...

Ben: “I’m getting there! I’m now in the nervous 90s…”

You were captain, 92 caps, top of the group, incredible night, have you had a moment to reflect on it all?

Ben: “To be honest, no, not really.”

Because there’s another game in 3 days?

Ben: “Yes, exactly, and that’s the focus now, and you are always focussed on what comes next, that drive, constantly looking forward. I’m sure when the time comes...”

It must have meant a lot though to wear the armband on a night like that...

Ben: “It was huge, huge, but I really feel like it’s another step on a journey we’re taking. A lot of things have changed in the national team, and we really want to get back into major tournaments and play in the World Cup in 2026, and this was the first step towards that, and six games unbeaten is a good start for us, against some decent teams as well.”

Okay, let’s park Wales, where do you see us at the moment with City up next?

Ben: “Look, the last couple of results (Galatasaray, Ipswich) didn’t go the way we wanted, but we’ve been in these situations before where, after a couple of tough results, we seem to play big teams. We’ve stood up to that in the past, hopefully we can do it again.”

I guess the frustration is that we’ve seen what the team is capable of against the likes of West Ham (4-1), Villa (4-1) and United (3-0), but then there have been the losses at Palace and Ipswich last time out...

Ben: “On our day, we can compete with anyone. On our day, we’re one of the best teams around. But… it’s about finding that consistency, and that’s something we’re all striving for. It’s not for a lack of trying. We have an identity we’re trying to stick to, and I don’t think we’re a million miles off, to be honest.”

I don’t even have to say the old cliché, but people will point at City being on this run of four defeats on the trot...

Ben: “Yes, of course, but it’s not quite as simple as that. They are still a very, very good side, one of the best around, by a long way. It will be an incredibly tough challenge, but there will be two teams trying to right a few wrongs in the last few weeks, so it should be a good game.”

One thing we can be sure of is that we’ll stick to our principles and try to play our game...

“I think it’s important that we stick to what we’re trying to do in every game, and that’s take the game to the opposition, and there’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll try to do that again.”