By Kevin Ratcliffe Former Wales and Everton captain

Every time Wales are going out to perform they're raising the level of expectation, and that was even the case after a non-entity of a match, the 2-0 win in Luxembourg.

There was a mixture of continental and British play that wasn't always evident in Toshack's early games in charge Report: Luxembourg 0-2 Wales

They are only friendly games that Wales have been performing in, but they're entering them in the right frame of mind and getting results - Wales have gone out to Luxembourg with sides that look much better on paper and have struggled more than on Wednesday.

John Toshack's side started sharply, passed incisively and were comfortable in possession.

When they lost the ball they applied pressure and looked to recover possession, a mixture of continental and British play that wasn't always evident in Toshack's early games in charge.

But it was disappointing that they took their foot off the gas after the second goal.

It got sloppy. They were trying to take that extra touch, allowing the opposition to get close and missing the opportunities that were there previously.

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Of the new caps, it was great to see Owain Tudur Jones after his many injury problems.

He looks rusty and really needs a pre-season and game time, but he seems to have bulked up in the gym and that will serve him well as he progresses to higher levels.

Sadly, Boaz Myhill and Ashley Williams were really not tested at the back, although Williams did well to save a goal with a header at the near post.

It would be good to see them given a chance in upcoming games against stronger sides like Georgia.

Toshack has chosen his forthcoming friendly games carefully and they will offer a real diversity of opposition.

Before Georgia there are away games in Iceland and the Netherlands.

Wales will be very, very close to World Cup qualification

Wales will be coming up against those sort of sides in World Cup qualifying and it's important they get used to it.

They've slipped up so many times before against teams like Iceland away from home.

Toshack now has the basis of what he wants in the squad, although he will wait for the injury situation to clarify before taking in the full picture.

Everybody knew that the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign came too soon for this squad, and I thought that the World Cup would also be too early.

But now, looking at the strength in depth, the way the youngsters are progressing, and the moves they are securing to bigger clubs... I'm not so sure.

I don't know whether Wales will qualify for South Africa 2010, but I think they will be very, very close.