Gary Speed was hoping for a happier start to his Wales reign

New Wales manager Gary Speed says he hopes his players have learnt some lessons after his first game in charge ended in defeat.

Wales were beaten 3-0 by the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, but Speed was without key players including Craig Bellamy, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale.

England are Wales' next opponents on 26 March in their Euro 2012 qualifier.

"[A fully fit squad] makes a difference, but it's all about the players [in Dublin]," said Speed.

"And hopefully they can learn from what we've done and what they have done on the pitch.

"It's a gradual process and it's just a first step on the ladder to try and achieve something.

"I've got a while now before the England game. We will be going through that and seeing what we need to do differently and hopefully we can improve."

It was a difficult first game for Speed, who was named as John Toshack's replacement as manager in December.

He was only able to fit one full training session in before the game as well as being without key players, who he hopes will be available to him against England at the Millennium Stadium.

"We wanted to win the game, there is no doubt about that, but we knew with only one day's training that the main objective was to learn about the players and make sure we improve and progress," added Speed.

Disappointing result but loads to work on and looking forward to the challenge Gary Speed

"I'm disappointed to lose like that but at the same time hopefully in the long run it will have a positive effect because we can iron out the things we need to."

Speed thought Reading striker Hal Robson-Kanu, who had a claim for a penalty in the first-half, went well on his full debut.

"I thought he did well," he said. "He is a natural left-side player. He has got ability and should have had a penalty in the first half, and he looked dangerous in part.

"Hal did well on his full debut and I thought Danny Collins played really well at centre-half and I thought Crofty [Andrew Croft] did well in midfield.

"There were a few tired bodies out there. But that's not an excuse it was the same for both teams.

"There were a lot of players who have played a lot of games this season and they looked a bit tired so hopefully they will be fresher for the England game.

"It's a disappointing result but loads to work on and looking forward to the challenge."

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