NEIL Taylor reckons “things are going to be a lot different” for Wales in World Cup qualifying as a result of their run to the last four at Euro 2016.

Wales’ quest to reach Russia in two years’ time got off to the perfect start on Monday with a 4-0 hammering of Group D minnows Moldova in Cardiff.

But Swansea City defender Taylor knows it will get a lot tougher for him and his teammates as they try to make a World Cup finals for only the second time in the nation’s history.

And not being underdogs any more is one of the things Chris Coleman’s men must get used to – they are the highest ranked team in their group at number 11 in the world.

“It was a clean sheet and we scored some goals,” said Taylor when assessing his side’s opening qualifying victory against the Moldovans.

“It was not the most perfect performance but a performance that got the job done. That’s what we had to do.

“These are tricky ties, there are no easy games in qualifying. To win 4-0 was very pleasing in our first game.

“I think it’s exactly what we needed. It was the first game after the euphoria of the Euros.

“To get that win boosted the boys back up again and gave us that good feeling as we go back to our clubs.

“We’ve put expectation on ourselves because we’ve realised we’re not underdogs any more — we’re the top ranked team.

“Things are going to be a lot different. We’ve worked on how we’re going to have to break teams down.

“Obviously we’ll have tougher tests than Monday night and we’ll have to perform better, but we’re aware of that.

“The harder the challenge the more this group seems to perform so fingers crossed we can get good results in the next two games as well.

“We said at half-time goal difference might play a part in qualifying so it’s important to get as many goals as we can.”

Taylor has been short of first-team action at club level so was glad to get a full 90 minutes under his belt at the Cardiff City Stadium.

“I’m happy, I feel fit, ready to go and obviously I need to get back to Swansea for what’s a tough run of games now,” he added.

“The issue always for me is that if you’re a player on the bench in the Premier League, you can go five or six weeks without playing football.

“That’s not me, I don’t go that long without playing. It’s not right for the body. I’m paid to play football so whatever football match comes around I’ll play in it.

“I was desperate to play again after the Euros and get over that disappointment of the semis.”