Things can only get better for ‘big bad John’

JOHN TOSHACK defiantly calls himself “big bad John” for the way he has had to confront the problems he inherited when he took over as Wales manager last year.

He will go into the World Cup battle with Northern Ireland in Belfast, bottom of Group Six and without a win in the qualifiers as well as not having scored in five games, the worst run the country has had in 31 years.

When qualifying began 13 months ago under Mark Hughes, there was genuine belief in Wales that they could actually be playing in next summer's finals in Germany.

Those dreams were destroyed long ago and since then Toshack has had to contend with a constant stream of problems on and off the field but not, so far, any heavy criticism for the task he has had to undertake.

Robbie Savage has been seen off, and Ben Thatcher too, while even this week Toshack has been criticised by Neville Southall Wales' most capped player for his training methods.

Defeat by a jubilant Northern Ireland on the back of their success against England, would just be another cross for 56-year-old Toshack as he continues his crusade to change the course of his nation's football.

The "big bad John" remark followed the Thatcher affair, and Toshack said: "It was tongue-in-cheek over a situation that had happened and has been dealt with and finished as far as I am concerned.

"I knew the problems when I took over this job. I had seen the side play and I knew what needed to be done.

"But over the first year I knew it would be difficult even to me, adapting to working with the attitude and mentality of players I had not been used to, having been outside of the UK for 20 years.

"I had not anticipated some things but you have to deal with them and move on. You must deal with things the way you feel is needed, and that is what I have done."

He added: "It has not been a successful campaign at all, there has been little positive. We got off on the wrong foot and have had to make far too many changes. Four games into a campaign is not the ideal time to lose the people we have lost."

Meanwhile, David Healy aims to chalk up his 20th goal for Northern Ireland with the praise of his manager ringing in his ears.

The Leeds striker took his place in football folklore in Northern Ireland by scoring the winner against England last month.

Healy, 26, could be forgiven for basking in the glory but that is not his style, according to Lawrie Sanchez.

"He is a very modest lad. But his rate of return when it comes to scoring shows what an outstanding player he is for us," said the Northern Ireland boss.

"Some players want to be the centre of attention but David is such a down to earth guy. He is great professional and loves playing for his country.

"If there was one person that deserved to get the winner against England, it was him."

Healy, who has scored 11 goals in his last 17 internationals, found the target when Northern Ireland drew with Wales in Cardiff last year.

However, his joy was short-lived as the referee took offence to the way he celebrated and sent him off.