By Ed Leahy
Andy Townsend believes that Ireland’s home form is key to qualifying for next summer’s EURO 2016 finals in France.
The former Ireland captain emphasised the importance of momentum when attempting to qualify for a major championship and Townsend believes that Ireland’s campaign starts, in essence, on Sunday at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland take on table-toppers Poland on Sunday and the 70-times capped midfielder believes that a victory is possible and that it can create the impetus needed to carry through to the remaining fixtures.
“It really starts now, this campaign,” Townsend told RTE Sport. “It absolutely starts this Sunday.
“We have got to get this momentum going at home. We have got these four games against Poland, Scotland, Georgia and Germany and it’s now time to get it.
“Everything we did as a team, in my time, started at home. It was born here. Everything we ever created and achieved is because of what we were able to do on our own patch, to any team.
“Everything we did as a team, in my time, started at home. It was born here." - Andy Townsend
“I don’t think that we’ve had any genuine momentum yet at home... If we can turn these (Poland) over, which I believe we will, we’re more than capable of beating Scotland, and if we can get that momentum between now and the end of this campaign, I think we have a fantastic chance of qualifying.”
And the former Aston Villa and Chelsea midfielder believes that Jack Grealish would be a great asset to Ireland.
Townsend said: “My advice (to Grealish) would be, ‘go grab the opportunity’ because he is a really good little player, I think he has got a tremendous future.
“He’s a talented player, he’s good. I really think it would be a good decision for him.
“I’m sure Martin (O’Neill) will also have a quiet word with him and say ‘we want you to play’.
“But you can’t have forever to make your mind up with these things, you can’t have it all your own way.
“I think Jack’s got to want to play, got to want to be part of it, got to want to commit the best years of his career to playing for Ireland.
“I think he should. He could be a key ingredient and a very good player for Ireland in years to come. I hope he does, and he won’t regret it.”
And Townsend stressed the importance of bringing young players through to freshen up the squad.
“Any good squad of players welcomes good young players coming in.
“I remember when I got involved, there was experienced players there, and then we saw Roy (Keane) coming through, then we had the (Jason) McAteers and the Gary Kellys and the Denis Irwins and the Phil Babbs, and the next younger brigade coming through, the Kevin Kilbanes; we were drip fed these players and you have got to have them.
“It’s good, it energises your squad. If you keep turning up, squad-in squad-out, and it’s the same 20 faces every time... Yes, through a campaign that can be (good) but it’s got to turn over.
“You need young blood and fresh legs coming in.”
Andy Townsend was inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame at the 25th Three FAI International Football Awards
