Blues loanee Jonny Williams says his Wales side is a different prospect to the team which were hammered 6-1 by Saturday’s opponents Serbia in the qualification process for the last World Cup. The teams meet again in a qualifier for the 2018 tournament at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday evening with Williams and fellow Town loanee Tom Lawrence both in the squad (Sky Sports One, from 7.15pm).
Williams was among the subs as then-new boss Chris Coleman’s side was thrashed in Novi Sad in September 2012, while Serbia also won the return fixture in Wales a year later comfortably, 3-0.
Coleman’s job was on jeopardy at that stage but the former Fulham manager turned things around dramatically and Williams was part of the squad which reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in the summer.
"That 6-1 defeat is a long way behind us now, we’ve come so far as a team,” the 23-year-old said.
"We haven’t spoken about that game in this campaign. It was early days under the gaffer and we were just getting used to his tactics.
"It’s hard when a new manager comes in, but what we’ve achieved since then is amazing.
"We can look back on that and say we’ve done something special. We’re strong as a unit now and hopefully we can show that on Saturday.”
Wales are currently third in their World Cup qualification group on five points - one win and two draws - with Serbia at the top on seven, heading the Republic of Ireland on goal difference.
"We’ve got to be realistic as a team, it was never going to be a walk in the park,” reflected Williams, who has missed the opening three qualifiers due to his ankle injury.
"We’re top seeds for the group but that doesn’t mean we’re going to finish top. We’d like to be, of course, but it’s not as easy as that.
"They’re top of the group at the moment and they’re going to be right up there during the campaign. But we need to win our home games and bounce back after the Georgia draw.”
Williams, on loan with the Blues for the season from Crystal Palace, will be looking to add to his 17 caps, while Lawrence, also with Town for the campaign from Leicester, has won four. Both are still to score an international goal.