IT is certainly an exciting week for Chris Coleman and his boys in their bid to reach the European Championships next summer.

The Cookie collective have reconvened in Cardiff ahead of the visit of Belgium on Friday and the excitement over the fixture is timely.

I appreciate that the main part of my column this week had a somewhat Sylvia Plath feel to it, after a horrible period for football, but it is nice to be able to continue writing about the Wales success story.

So far, Wales have been stand-out performers in a more entertaining than usual set of group games, with genuine optimism that they can qualify for France; perhaps even without the need to worry about a play-off.

Inspired by Gareth Bale, who increasingly looks positively relieved to be on international duty, where the Welsh public adorn him with nothing but adulation, as opposed to the vitriol and scrutiny he’s dealing with at the Santiago Bernabéu, Wales look a genuinely impressive side.

One good result, a glimmer of hope, we’ve been there before, but Wales have shown consistency for half the campaign and are yet to taste defeat.

And frankly, I would settle now for that remaining the case by 9.30pm on Friday evening, a draw more than satisfactory against one of the most talented squads in world football.

That’s no exaggeration, only Argentina and Germany have a more expensive collective of players, a plethora of £20 million stars with the sublime Eden Hazard the cherry on top.

The duel within the battle, the prospect of Bale v Hazard is tantalising, but it is important that those of us with a Welsh perspective don’t lose sight of the fact this is a bonus game.

Wales aren’t supposed to be joint-top of Group B, nor are they supposed to be competing as equals with Belgium, but the fact the players believe that is exactly what they are, is a massive sign of progression.

Whereas previous generations have done everything they could to avoid international football, seeing it as an inconvenience, this group are desperate to be involved, to the degree that Jonathan Williams has joined the squad even though he’s injured and could legitimately be sunning himself in a luxury destination.

This truly is a group of players united as one and win, lose or draw this Friday, there continues to be genuine cause for optimism.