Kevin Ratcliffe on Wales

By Kevin Ratcliffe Former Wales and Everton captain

I was in the New Zealand camp before Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wales in Wrexham, and there's no doubt that they were fearing a pasting.

I think Collins is a better player without Gabbidon alongside him

They came out, raised their game and excelled, but you have to say that was disappointing from Wales and that we expect better.

John Toshack's side started sloppily at the back, and that atmosphere spread throughout the team.

They were punished by a very average side, and that's a major concern ahead of next Saturday's must-win Euro 2008 qualifier with the Czech Republic in Cardiff.

In many ways it will be easier to play against one of the best sides in the world rather than an unknown quantity.

606: DEBATE Can Wales omit their most accomplished defender? Sean Davies

Wales will be the ones picking themselves up to compete, they've had the kick up the backside, and it was better to get a performance like the New Zealand one out of the way before the crucial game.

There were some encouraging signs towards the end at the Racecourse when Wales got more fluent, while Craig Bellamy was superb and Ryan Giggs showed glimpses of his class.

But the major concerns are at the back and the big question surrounds Danny Gabbidon.

I think it would be a big, big risk to play Gabbidon against the Czechs after so long out with a groin injury and such a poor performance on Saturday.

Bellamy's performance impressed Ratcliffe

There's also a concern about his partnership with James Collins, the centre-back pairing that Wales have pinned so much future hope on.

They're both excellent players, but when they're poor they're very, very poor and that sticks out like a sore thumb. They let us down against New Zealand.

The partnership either goes well or very badly, there's no middle ground. If one is sloppy then so is the other, but when one is on their game so is the other - that pattern has been happening too often.

I think Collins is a better player without Gabbidon alongside him.

He takes more responsibility and doesn't try to emulate Gabbidon. The bad parts of Gabbidon's game tend to rub off on him.

Against the Czechs I would play someone wholehearted like Steve Evans alongside Collins, and maybe also get Lewin Nyatanga into a five-man defence.

If you ask Gabbidon he will definitely want to start, players are always like that. But the decision has to be made by the manager.