Jones is a class act

But the Southampton goalkeeper has done his credibility as a genuine international goalkeeper no harm at all, despite the 2-0 defeat Wales suffered against Denmark at Anfield.

Jones made a string of wonder saves, but was partly to blame for the decisive goal six minutes from time by Jon Dahl Tomasson that effectively sent Wales plunging to another defeat, compounded by Stig Toefting's last-minute penalty.

Jones half punched a cross, admittedly under pressure from his own defenders, and that one error ruined a performance of pride and passion that Wales showed in the wake of Bobby Gould's shock departure on Saturday.

Johansson was mighty relieved that Denmark had finally cracked Wales' defiance and Jones' brilliance.

He said: "He is a super, super goalkeeper. He saved them in Copenhagen and he saved them again this time.

"You can watch a goalkeeper for five or six games and only see him make one one-handed save. But Jones did it five times out there, he was magnificent.

"He cannot be blamed for that first goal. He was being bumped by his own men. I have seen the video of how he played in Italy on Saturday and he was marvellous then.

"This is a goalkeeper of true international class. We have a Danish keeper at Southampton called Michael Stensgaard who just can't get into the team there. Now I can understand why."

Johansson's managerial counterparts with Wales, Neville Southall and Saints' star Mark Hughes, were not so happy with a shattering result. But both, it seems will want to carry on.

Southall said: "If you want me to throw my hat in the ring, I will throw in a Stetson.

Hughes, who fought a fantastic battle in midfield to galvanise Wales, would only say: I have not had time to sit down and think about things yet, or discuss the situation with Neville. But I have enjoyed these past few days.''

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