WALES skipper Ashley Williams has revealed boss Chris Coleman is showing a firm hand in order to keep his players fit for France next summer, writes Michael Pearlman.

The Swansea man was taken off against the Netherlands at half time in Friday’s 3-2 friendly defeat and Williams insists he had no part to play in that decision.

“I am not sure what the plan was but the gaffer told me before the game I would be playing 45 so I kind of looked at him and saw it wasn't up for negotiation and accepted it,” he said.

“It is what it is, it is a friendly game but I am always going to come and represent my country. I do what I am told and today I was told I am coming off at half-time.

We have a good relationship with the manager, he is a good guy first and foremost.

“We just enjoy playing for him, which is the main thing.”

Williams gave short shrift to the notion that friendlies are meaningless.

“Yeah I think it is definitely important, why wouldn't it be? We have just played against a good team and we all got together again, we enjoyed each other's company and learned a little bit more about the squad,” he said.

“You ask Tom Lawrence if it was meaningless.”

However, after Arjen Robben showed his class at the Cardiff City Stadium, Williams admitted the ex-Madrid winger emphasised that Wales missed their current one.

“Yeah I think we all realised it anyway (that Wales would miss Bale), Arjen Robben is a very good player, we saw how good he is,” he said.

“I think we missed Gareth a little bit, it would have been nice to play that game with him. But saying that, that is taking nothing away from the players who played.

“It is pretty obvious but he is here tonight supporting the guys and flew back over which is nice to see him in the dressing room showing his support. He didn't have to. He is massive for us, we all know that.”

However, Williams felt the contest was worthwhile and a good test for Wales.

“Holland posed us a lot of problems tonight which we can analyse if we come up against them again,” he said.

“Even over the last few years we have learned so many lessons about international football and tonight was another one. Every team poses different threats and they posed another threat. When we get in the meeting room together we have a few things to discuss.

“All I know is I have seen them tonight first hand and they are a very good team. In a friendly you want to play the best opponent you can get, that is when you learn about yourself and the team. I welcome the friendlies, especially against good teams.”