But as Toshack planned for Wednesday's next Group D match against San Marino in Cardiff, he insisted he is still on the right road to re-building the Wales set-up.

Toshack, who expects to have Jason Koumas back in midfield after suspension and to give Jermaine Easter a chance up front, said: "I still have confidence with the players I have and the way I am working with them.

"Even so we had high expectations in Dublin and I am disappointed we didn't do better. I'm embarrassed by that performance."

Wales turned in a limp display to lose 1-0 to Steve Staunton's men and Toshack added: "I did not expect that, the way we played.

"There were important football people at the game watching my team, and I was hurt by what they saw.

"People who have been showing an interest, and people I respect. They were there to see for themselves and they must have wondered what all the fuss was about.

"There were people who could have performed better, there is no doubt about that."

Several top-line British managers were at Croke Park, including Martin O'Neill.

Toshack said: "My team can play better than they did in Dublin. The players are also hurt and disappointed.

"But we do have to accept the criticism that comes our way after a result like that.

"I was embarrassed with the way my team played. After so many years in the game I know there were people at the match in Dublin I would like to have been impressed and for them to approve of my work.

"I was hurt and embarrassed. They were entitled to think, 'what has he been doing for two and a half years?'"

Toshack defended his own record after 20 matches in control, insisted he did not feel under any pressure over his job, and also backed his star men who had been heavily criticised in Dublin for their display.

Irish TV pundit Eamonn Dunphy even suggested that Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy were not trying.

Toshack said: "In terms of results I do not feel under any more pressure. But then I've been on the brink for 40 years, I have always been on the brink in football, it is no more than that.

"I have had problems like this before at clubs I have been with. On Saturday I felt very down but by the time Monday comes around we are back and being positive.

"As for my players being criticised for not trying, that's not right. I know these players and I do not consider that suggestion even an option for them.

"I know my team well enough to know saying something like that is not right."

Wales now desperately need to boost confidence and beat San Marino.

Toshack said: "I accept responsibility 100 per cent. We will not throw in the towel and we know we could have done better.

"Yes, losing to San Marino is an unthinkable result. But we have to believe we can make up these points and there will always be twists and turns. We have to think that way, it is as simple as that.

"None of us were happy with our performance. We did not create anything. We know we can do better.

"But let's not forget what happened in the previous regime. They went two years and 10 competitive games without a victory. People forget, if we win on Wednesday it will be four wins in seven competitive matches. Those are the facts.

"We lost a lot of very experienced players when I took over and for the Dublin game we were missing another half-dozen of our front-line players.

"Excuses are not my style, but you have to point out the facts, that's how I feel. We have lost a lot of experience, and that makes it even more difficult." end