James Collins believes Wales have got a year to get their act together after a traumatic failed World Cup campaign.

The stand-in captain knows that a major crisis that was threatening manager John Toshack was only averted by Wednesday's grimly-fought 2-0 victory in Liechtenstein.

Collins maintains that Wales face a year of preparation and improvement before they will face serious examination once again, with the younger players at least having one more year of experience at international level.

The Aston Villa defender captained Wales for the first time on Wednesday, when some much nide was restored with a determined 2-0 victory in their final Group Four qualifying match on a bitterly cold night in the Alps.

A fourth victory in 10 gruelling qualifiers leaves a battered Wales as one of the fourth-seeded teams when days that there were calls for Toshack to be sacked from amongst the hardy 400-plus who travelled to Vaduz, as well as from many back home.

First goals for their country from David Vaughan and Aaron Ramsey have given Toshack somethiill have their opinions, but they must know that the players are working well as a team, the manager is doing a good job and we're looking forward to the next campaign.

"It's just out of frustration, they were looking for something to blame after Saturday's defeat in Finland. Everyone was disappointed and this qualifying group overall has not been good.

"They have every right to voice their opinion, they paid their money to make a long trip to support us and they are entitled to have their say, but we can assure them that we will always do our best.

"We all want to be involved and play for our country and we all want to win. So after the way things have gone it was good that we at least managed to win the final group match.

"Now we have 12 months before the next competitive games in the European qualifiers, and we know we have to be ready by them."

Collins added: "We keep talking about the progress of the young boys in the squad, but these next 12 months out of competitive (international) football will be vital for them.

"They can grow as players at their clubs and grow as men, so it is an important time for them.

"They need to push on wherever they are and establish themselves with plenty of regular football.

"We will have our friendlies to work on things, but we now really have got to kick on in the next qualifying group and start to realise all the potential and promise."

Toshack has spent the five years of his term as manager, aided by under-21 boss Brian Flynn, searching for and encouraging teenagers to mature as a team to give Wales a fighting chance of qualifying for a major finals.

There have been glimpses of what could be achieved, but consistency has never been maintained, and a long catalogue of injuries, withdrawals and retirements of senior men has constantly hampered Toshack's dreams.

Wales now have a handful of friendlies before they embark on the next round of qualifiers in September next year.

At least there were signs against Liechtenstein of better things to come.

Collins added: "It wasn't easy at all but we knew that. A lot of the stronger sides in the group struggled in Liechtenstein and it wasn't the best performance in the world from us.

"It felt a little strange that some people were even talking about the unthinkable - losing to Liechtenstein - so it was important we did well to restore some faith.

"We knew we could play better, and this win has restored confidence and we take that on to the next games, now we have a year to do that before the next set of qualifiers."