John Toshack had to thank his young stars for Wales' opening World Cup qualifying victory as he continues to struggle with the problem that is Jason Koumas.
The Wigan midfielder needed three injections in an ankle injury to even get on the pitch for this win over Azerbaijan in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
And that explained a lot about an erratic performance which included a stupid booking and a miss
ed penalty.
Koumas is unlikely to be fit enough for the trip to Moscow to take on Russia in Wednesday's Group Four game in the Lokomotiv stadium.
Koumas, frustrated by his own inability to produce his best, lost patience with Macedonian referee Aleksandr Stavrev and clattered the ball high into the empty seating behind the goal, promptly receiving a yellow card that could have consequences later in the campaign.
But coach Toshack insists he still has faith in the unpredictable midfielder.
"Basically I like him and understand him. He is always our best bet for a goal, but with things like that booking, maybe the penny will never drop for him," Toshack said. "His attitude is much better with us over the last 12 months, I have seen an improvement. We are not waiting and wondering now if he will turn up. And as a player I do like what he can do."
Wales, though, struggled until eventual match-winner, 18-year-old Sam Vokes, swept in a late goal.
Koumas said: "Sam Vokes is a handful and I've been impressed with him. He is a young lad, but he reminds me a little bit of John Hartson in his younger days."
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