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No illusions for Toshack John Toshack has mounted a strong defence of his tenure as Wales manager as pressure mounts following a dismal spell of seven defeats in 10 matches over the past year.

Wales, riddled with constant injuries and withdrawals, have slumped in their World Cup campaign, and now face the minnows of Liechtenstein in their final Group Four match to rescue some pride.

Toshack arrived in the tiny mountain principality, sandwiched in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland, knowing his five-year tenure in command of Wales is being questioned back home.

Losing to Liechtenstein would be the worst defeat in Welsh history, and Toshack is equally aware of the outcry that would ensue should such a nightmare result materialise in the Rheinpark Stadium.

Toshack is under no pressure from the Football Association of Wales, but even in such a critical time and without 10 of his original squad due to injuries and suspension, the 60 year-old is considering resting Arsenal teenager Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey has complained of a back injury, and including him in a meaningless match - in Arsenal's eyes - may not go down too well with Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger.

Toshack may use defender Ashley Williams as a holding midfield player, with MK Dons striker Jermaine Easter up front.

On his own future, Toshack says: "It has never got to the stage that I have felt that I've had enough of this hassle.

"But I am aware of things that maybe fans are saying. I accept that our results mean we are not in as good a position as we were 12 months ago.

"I am aware of people's views, but it goes with the territory. But want a reaction from the players, I have talked to them and they are aware of what is expected." He added: "A year ago we had won two home qualifiers, performed well in Germany and Russia and been to Denmark and won a friendly. And they have qualified.

"Everyone was rightly excited about the way the youngsters had played. I was offered a new agreement and accepted, and I don't remember anyone questioning that.

"But since then it has been a disappointing year, it really has. I can understand people thinking that we have gone backwards from the stage we were at last October when we beat Liechtenstein in Cardiff." Since that game in 2008, Wales have gone downhill and lost seven of the last 10 games.

Toshack said: "Circumstances have dictated that. We have seen these youngsters come in, perform well and then struggle.

"All of a sudden we have gone backwards, result-wise. I accept that. But it is very frustrating when you watch young players, put them into your side and then five are missing from the important games for whatever reason.

"I don't know what else I can really say on such problems, there have been constant changes every game. Sometimes pressure has got to them and young lads do fluctuate in their performances, that's what happens and it is down to not playing regularly at their clubs.

"Some arrive with us having played no more than 90 minutes in six weeks, and then we expect them to play against the best players in Europe.

Liechtenstein vs Wales

Last modified 21:17 14/10/09

Wales salvage some pride with away win The pressure was lifted from boss John Toshack as his Wales youngsters grabbed a 2-0 victory in Liechtenstein to end their disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign on a high.

But it was a nervy performance, with everyone labouring under the knowledge that defeat in this Group Four clash would be the worst result in Wales history.

Toshack was more than aware of the fans' dissatisfaction over his management and recent results and he will also realise that this scrappy victory does not represent an answer to the problem.

But he saw both David Vaughan and Aaron Ramsey score maiden goals for their country to end a run of three successive defeats.

Striker Jermaine Easter, a late call-up to bolster Wales's heavily depleted squad, was in the starting line-up in the Rheinpark Stadion for his first cap since February 2008.

Easter was one of four players flown out to join Wales' injury and suspension hit party for this final qualifier, with Toshack also calling on goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and defender Craig Morgan in place of suspended pair Wayne Hennessey and Craig Bellamy.

Lewin Nyatanga dropped to the bench but Arsenal's Ramsey played after recovering from a back injury.

Liechtenstein brought back top scored Mario Frick following suspension and also included under-21 midfielder Lucas Eberle, the only changes from the side that lost 2-0 at home to Azerbaijan on Saturday.

Considering Wales' current predicament, it was remarkable to see 400 hardy fans - many bare chested - belting out the anthem, no doubt somewhat annoyed to have had to listen to England's Three Lions song played before the game by their hosts.

They were almost rewarded with a third-minute goal when Gareth Bale got to the byline on the first of many occasions, and fired in a cross that both Easter and David Edwards missed from close range.

Another Bale chip somehow evaded Edwards' near-post leap before Easter set-up Vaughan, but another close-range chance went begging.

The casual approach in defence that blighted Wales in the defeat by Finland in Helsinki on Saturday allowed David Hasler a free strike from the edge of the box that Myhill did well to beat away.

But Wales got themselves ahead after 16 minutes when Bale was again played in on the left to produce a low cross that Vaughan hammered in from close range for his first goal for Wales on his 16th appearance.

Wales kept plugging away, with Ashley Williams having an effective influence in midfield. Bale and Chris Gunter worked to get down the flanks and Easter maintained possession up front.

But the hosts, defending very deep and in numbers, were always capable of breaking quickly and there were plenty of nervy moments in the Wales defence.

Easter should have added a second when he ran onto a Bale long ball, but he delayed his shot enough to allow goalkeeper Peter Jehle to block the effort with his legs.

The dangers of complacency were evident when Hasler should have equalised after Buchel's pass played him in behind the Wales defence, but the low shot flashed wide of the far post.

Buchel was booked two minutes into the second-half after a bizarre attempt to deceive Wales and referee Kaldma Sten at a twice-taken corner.

James Collins, captain for the first time, headed wide from a Gunter free-kick with Wales needing the security of another goal.

But Liechtenstein passed the ball well and Wales were increasingly nervous. Morgan was booked for hauling down Beck to underline the point.

Ramsey's clever chip almost set-up Simon Church, while Easter was penalised for hand-ball when he bustled home a Bale cross.

Ten minutes from time, Wales got their second and there was instant relief in the Welsh ranks.

Bale was tripped just outside the box by Yves Oehri, and Ramsey curled home the free-kick for his first senior goal for Wales.

Wales then sent on Andy King for Edwards, with Nyatanga taking over from Bale.

Martin Rechsteiner and Eberle were both booked as the hosts tired, with Neal Eardley taking over from Gunter.