Kevin Ratcliffe on Wales

By Kevin Ratcliffe Former Wales and Everton captain

No one expected Wales to win 5-2 out in Slovakia on Wednesday night, especially after the 2-0 home loss to Germany at the weekend.

I'm pleased for the players, pleased for Wales manager John Toshack and pleased for the supporters especially.

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Craig Bellamy had an exceptional game, but it was tremendous the way the whole team came out in the second half.

There were a few flaws in the first half but they addressed them at half-time and came out firing.

Wales closed Slovakia down well and it just shows me that perhaps we gave Germany too much respect.

John Toshack has got the right method but at times I've felt we haven't always got in people's faces and closed people down.

We never gave Slovakia any respect, we got in their faces and made it easy for ourselves.

When you've got Craig Bellamy up front with that pace and that movement and you've got players like Joe Ledley and Simon Davies who can find them with that little pass, then you're going to get chances.

It was an all-round performance from front to back - I thought Craig Morgan was outstanding for someone who has won so few caps.

It's always easier when the tempo of the game is right and it was right for us in Trnava

Gareth Bale looked a little bit jaded but he dug in and got through, and that will be a big bonus for him.

The goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessey, was outstanding by the way - he is an outstanding find and he's got a big future in the game.

Freddy Eastwood played well up front as well and deserved his goal. He'll be playing for us for a number of years.

He gives us something different that we didn't have and I think he's made a big difference to the side.

Eastwood is one of those players who can get hold of the ball and it benefits Craig Bellamy.

In the past Craig has been trying to do that, drop deep, play other people in and make things happen.

Now he doesn't have to do that and we're seeing the benefit for Craig, because he knows there's someone in the side who can retain possession and give him chances.

Some people might say that we haven't played against the greatest of sides in Slovakia, but at the end of the day it's how bad or good you allow them to look on the night.

We all know the lads can play but it's always easier when the tempo of the game is right and it was right for us in Trnava.