Collins aims to provide leadership

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Aston Villa's £6million centre-back is delighted to get the armband as stand-in for the suspended Craig Bellamy against Liechtenstein, but his pleasure is muted somewhat with Wales facing a crisis of confidence after three successive defeats and a year of disappointing results.

Collins said: "Obviously I am delighted to be captain. It's a big honour and the highlight of my career. But there's a bit of senior leadership needed now, after what happened in Finland. Not that I can claim to have been above criticism."

The latest setback was Saturday's 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat in Finland, and now Collins aims to guide Wales to a strong performance in their final Group Four match.

Collins added: "It was a bad day for me as well as the team. But now we want to finish off this group strongly and look forward to the next qualifying campaign.

"It is a big game for us, we need a win. We have got to feel under pressure now because everyone was bitterly disappointed with the way we played and the result.

"We must put things right that were not good on Saturday when we lost in Helsinki."

The former Cardiff City defender said: "Losing here is unthinkable. If we lose we would expect to be flying home to some flak.

"We must come to places like this and win if you ever want to be achieving anything in qualifying groups.

"Our best performances have been when we have played really well in away games against the big teams, even if we did not win them. But then we find ourselves not performing against lesser teams."