BRENTFORD added Newcastle United to a list of Premier League scalps that includes champions Liverpool with an impressive 3-1 win on Sunday.
The form of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and centre-back Nathan Collins with the Keith Andrews-managed ‘Bees’ are genuine reasons to be cheerful ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s daunting double-header against Portugal (home on Thursday night) and Sunday’s clash with Hungary in Budapest.
With Evan Ferguson (scorer of three of Ireland’s four goals so far) out of the Portugal game and rated doubtful for ‘Magyars’ showdown, goals are likely to be hard to come by.
That means defensive solidity is essential and Collins says home advantage against Portugal is another factor in Ireland’s favour.
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“Not many teams want to come to the Aviva and go: ‘We’re really up for this, we really want to fight for this’,” he says.
“That’s where we gain our motivation, that teams are looking at us and going: ‘Ah, not Ireland away…’ I think that builds confidence, it builds motivation and you just have to bring it onto the pitch then. You want to create that kind of fortress at home and make it tough for teams coming here.
“The fans have a massive effect on us and how we perform in the energy they can give us. We have to help them with that, we have to give them something to support and cheer about. It works both ways but when we’re both at it and both pushing the same way it’s hard to stop us.”
Nathan Collins acknowledges fans after the final whistle
The Ireland fans can have an massive impact on Thursday night says Nathan Collins(Bradley Collyer/PA)
Collins was manning the barricades as Ireland repelled almost constant Portugal pressure in Lisbon last month. A little luck here and there and some brilliance from his clubmate Kelleher brought Ireland to the brink of a draw but, in the end, the home side snatched all three points.
Ireland will know the result of Armenia versus Hungary in Yerevan before they kick-off on Thursday night. A Hungary win means they need at least a draw to give themselves any chance going to Budapest.
On the flipside, victory for Armenia and a win for the Boys in Green will mean that a draw in Budapest should secure a play-off spot for Collins and co. Brentford defender Collins says he knows what to expect from Portugal on Thursday night, but that doesn’t make the task any easier.
“We learnt how tough it’s going to be again in Lisbon,” said the Ireland skipper.
“They’re one of the best teams in the world with some of the best players in the world and it’s probably more the mental than physical challenge of staying concentrated.
“There’s a lot of talk that we have to defend, defend, defend… But we’ll attack as well. They’ll have to defend against us so it works both ways, especially at home with our fans behind us.
“We want to make them uncomfortable as well, put pressure on them in certain areas. We learnt a lot on what we can continue and that’s where the belief is coming from.
“The faith we have in each other means we believe it’s possible to get a win against a big nation. We’ve come close in a few games, not quite getting over the line, but the belief in this squad is that we have it in us to get that big result. Why can’t there be one here?”