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Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 August 2005, 09:26 GMT 10:26 UK
Hartson looks to Wales supporters
WALES v ENGLAND
Wales striker John Hartson
Kick-off: 1500 BST, Saturday 3rd September
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Live coverage on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, Radio Five Live and this website
John Hartson believes Wales' fans will demand a win in Saturday's match with England - but will understand if John Toshack's rebuilt side fall short.

With World Cup qualification now beyond Wales, Toshack has his eyes on building towards qualification for Euro 2008.

"They (England) are world class and we are rebuilding with youngsters," said the 30-year-old Celtic striker.

"The crowd will help us, but they understand what is going on with Wales at the moment."

Toshack is targeting success in the long term rather than putting all his focus on immediate results, although Hartson understands the Welsh desire to try and derail England's chances in Group Six.

"There's a big buzz of excitement from the fans, even if we would have preferred to be going into the game in a better position," Hartson added.

"It has been sold out for a year and is one a lot of us have been looking forward to.

We are in a rebuilding process and all we can do is turn in a better performance from last time
Wales striker John Hartson

"There will be a sense of `let's beat the English', which you would expect - Wales fans will always want that, but there will be realism about it.

"We are facing a side who will be among the World Cup final favourites next season."

The team which lines up at the Millennium Stadium is likely to feature many changes to the side which lost 2-0 against England in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford last October.

With retirements, injuries and suspensions, Wales are likely to have just five survivors from the side that started the match in Manchester.

Wales froze in that encounter last year when many expected them to rip into England from the first whistle, but Hartson is confident Wales can do better.

"It won't be about revenge, just an improvement in our performance from last time," he said.

"I feel it will be a very difficult day for us. With a bit of luck we could do something, but let's not start being unrealistic.

"We can't qualify, and there are a lot of changes from when we lost last year to England at Old Trafford.

"We are in a rebuilding process and all we can do is turn in a better performance from last time, but we have to take into account what a good side England are."




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Interview: Wales assistant manager Roy Evans



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