John Toshack believes he will learn a lot more about the character of his raw Wales youngsters during tonight's World Cup qualifier in Russia.
The Wales boss will send out a side of youngsters, journeymen and inexperienced players from the lower divisions against a Russian side rightly rated one of Europe's best.
Russia boss Guus Hiddink has a squad brimming with quality, and is prepared to unleash the undoubted skills of Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko on the Welsh in the group four qualifier in the Lokomotiv Stadium.
Toshack said: "We have a lot of young players going out to face the Russians and they are looking forward to it. It will be another big test for them and it will be interesting to see how they cope.
"Some of them have never faced opposition of this standard before, but I have never doubted their effort and enthusiasm and now we will find out a lot more about them.
"We must be aware of the quality Russia have going forward from midfield, and with the big lad up front who Spurs have paid so much money for (Pavlyuchenko).
"They will be very difficult to stop and we must make sure we do not let them get into their stride. If Arshavin gets space behind the strikers he will be a real danger.
"We have to work out a way to stop them and make sure we have enough left to give our response. We must certainly stop Arshavin playing those quick one-twos around the edge of the box."
Toshack is likely to start with a lone striker, probably Wolves teenager Sam Vokes, while Carl Robinson is expected to come into midfield in place of the injured Jason Koumas.
The Wales boss said: "We want to be positive, but we know we cannot play the system we have devised over the past four years because with the players out injured, we do not have the personnel to do it."
Toshack would have wanted to play his three best defenders - James Collins, Danny Gabbidon and Lewin Nyatanga - against the Russians but all three are out injured.
It means rookies Craig Morgan and Ashley Williams must face the might of a Russian side who went to the Euro 2008 semi-finals before being beaten by eventual winners Spain.
Skipper Simon Davies said: "This will be the most testing game at this level for our youngsters.
"It will certainly be harder than it was when we got a good draw in Germany last year, we are missing even more experienced players.
"We must be organised, solid at the back and play at the very top of our game."
PA Sport