After 64 years of hurt for us Welsh people the World Cup finals in Qatar was a big anti-climax for us all after failing to get out of our group, scoring just one goal - and that from the penalty spot.

It’s been a bitterly disappointing tournament, we simply haven’t turned up on the big stage. Maybe our cup final was back on June 5 when we beat the Ukraine in the play-off final to reach Qatar.

It's easy to kick someone when they are down so there is no way I would criticise manager Robert Page or the players; they will be hurting like the rest of us right now. They need the nation's support and that's exactly what we should do.

The Pink Un: Dejected Wales fans in Cardiff during the screening of the game against England in QatarDejected Wales fans in Cardiff during the screening of the game against England in Qatar (Image: PA Images)

There are reasons why we failed at this World Cup and why I’m home slightly early than I wanted to be. My concern before I went out to Qatar was there were far too many of Robert’s squad not playing regularly at club level and their fitness and energy levels were nowhere near what they needed to be to compete.

We’ve been dependent on Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey over the last seven or eight years and sadly this World Cup has come four years too late for them. Neither made an impact in any of our three games, they both looked well off the pace. Both have said they want to carry on playing for Wales. If they’ve still got the desire, hunger and enthusiasm to represent their country then great, but sadly it didn’t look as if they did in our group games.

The sad thing for me as a Welshman is the feeling I’ve got at the minute is that it could be another few years before we get to play on the world's biggest stage again - the next few years could be tough ones for us.

In two of their three group games, England have been brilliant and from what I’ve seen out here Gareth Southgate’s men have every chance of going a long way in the competition.

The strength in depth that Gareth has is magnificent and is up there with Brazil and France. If things go to plan, England will play France in the quarter-finals - if they can overcome Didier Deschamps’ men they’ve a real chance of going all the way.

I bet every Norwich City supporter's heart was in their mouths when Josh Sargent limped off a few minutes before the end of the US's victory against Iran, which means they will now play the Netherlands tomorrow in the last 16.

It looked a nasty one - when you hyperextend your leg like Josh did you can damage knee ligaments quite badly or rip or tear your hamstring, which I did in a similar incident when we played at Turf Moor back in the 2001-02 season. That hamstring tear kept me out for six weeks. Touch wood, Josh’s issue is nowhere near as serious and he’ll be fit and raring to go tomorrow to try and help the USA reach the quarter-finals for only the third time in their history.

If I’m honest i had very mixed feelings before coming out to Qatar just over two weeks ago: I wasn’t buzzing like I should have been, looking forward to seeing my beloved Wales playing on the biggest stage, and I hated myself for it. We’d waited so long for this and the time when we finally qualified the tournament was going to be held in a very controversial country.

What I will say is that, football apart of course - oh and the very hot temperatures out here - I’ve enjoyed my time in Doha. The people couldn’t have been friendlier and more helpful; wherever we’ve been we’ve been welcomed with open arms and big smiles and everything has been thoroughly so well organised.