WALES manager John Toshack and his shell-shocked team are licking their wounds today after going down to their heaviest home defeat in 98 years at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Not since England beat them 7-1 way back in 1908 have the Welsh suffered such a humiliation on home soil and the only saving grace was that the rout was witnessed by fewer that 29,000 fans – the smallest crowd in five years at the iconic sporting arena. Doubtless many more watched on television a horror show that at times threatened to be severely embarrassing for an emasculated Wales line-up which, for one reason or another, simply wasn’t up to the task. Robbed by injury of three key defenders in Mark Delaney, James Collins and Sam Ricketts, the Wales boss had few options but to put his faith in youngsters Richard Duffy, Lewin Nyatanga and Gareth Bale. And unfortunately only Bale, the 17-year-old Southampton starlet, came through with his reputation enhanced from the hiding that has all but ended any hopes Wales might have had of making an impact in the European Championship. Sadly, too, veteran goalkeeper Paul Jones had a nightmare afternoon on what should have been a momentous personal occasion. The 39-year-old Queens Park Rangers man, sporting a daring haircut with the image of a Welsh dragon and the figure 50 to mark his half-century of international appearances, was clearly at fault for two of the goals and thereafter was given a rough ride by disillusioned supporters. But their ironic applause for every subsequent touch from the keeper was boorish and unkind, particularly as it was probably the last time that Chirk-born Jones will play for his country. | 
