Jimmy Shoulder's Wales Under-21s team were being branded the worst in their country's history just a few short months ago.

But Shoulder now believes his young squad have proved themselves a cut above anything he has managed at the same level in the past decade.

"This is the strongest squad we have had for ten years, because so many of the lads are now playing regular first-team football at a decent level," he said.

Shoulder's youngsters meet Azerbaijan at Barry Town's Jenner Park tonight (7.30pm) in a UEFA Championship qualifier, aiming to complete a group nine double - having won against the same opponents in Baku last November to end a run of 26 games without a victory.

And Shoulder is encouraged by the club experience running through the ranks.

"Our goalkeeper Jason Brown's had a good cup run with Gillingham and played Leeds twice," he pointed out.

"David Vaughan is in a promotion battle with Crewe; Rhys Day has now left Manchester City's reserves and is finding out about what life's really like with Mansfield in a relegation battle."

Shoulder added: "James Tolley has played well in big cup ties for Shrewsbury against Everton and Chelsea. Like the rest he is getting so much good experience.

"Lee Fowler scored the winner for Coventry against Cardiff in the cup on TV and he's now joined Cardiff. There's a lot of lads like that."

It all adds up to a vintage crop of young players, according to Shoulder.

He said: "We've had outstanding individuals over the years like Craig Bellamy, Matthew Jones and Simon Davies. But this is the first group since the early 90s where the majority are playing first-team football.

"That makes a huge difference. We've been in the past trying to push forward kids who, with all due respect, have been playing Academy football - and that's very, very hard for them."

Wales often find themselves facing very tough opposition at this level.

"We are always drawn into a group when you are playing the likes of Italy or Germany or Holland, and they are picking lads who are almost 22," said Shoulder.

"Then we find ourselves with our resources playing 17 and 18-year-old kids who have never really played any international football."