Stephen Kenny is hoping that lessons learned from Luxembourg can ensure that his side finally starts to build some momentum as they take on Azerbaijan in Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland were surprisingly beaten 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium in March by Luxembourg, which happened just days after impressing in their opening World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
The manager admitted that his team were flat in the Dublin fixture following the exertions in Belgrade, and now just three days on from a remarkable, albeit losing, performance away in Portugal, Kenny is determined not to make the same mistake once more.
Kenny lamented the fact that some of his squad who had been idle at club level were not able to respond following the tough game in Serbia and they found it difficult to find the same levels for the second fixture.
However, going into the Azerbaijan encounter, there was a real upbeat feel from Kenny who would not contemplate another loss and spoke only about setting the team up to win the game.
"I think we got to such a level against Serbia that when some players had not being playing regularly, or not playing at all really, to go again three days later and get to that level was difficult," said Kenny, speaking at the pre-match press conference. That was certainly part of our learning.
"So it is something that we are cognisant of, that we just have to make sure we are right and our preparations are [in place]."
There will be changes to the starting XI for the game at the Aviva on Saturday (kick-off 5pm) as defender Dara O'Shea has returned to his club after picking up an injury in the game against Portugal, and the manager admitted that he is likely to freshen up his selection.
Matt Doherty, as it happens, declared himself fit for the game after struggling with stomach pains throughout the second half of the game in Faro.
The midfield unit is generally one area that tends to see changes for games in such quick succession, especially as Jeff Hendrick, who worked tirelessly in Portugal, has not been a regular starter for his club, Newcastle.
No such issues for Josh Cullen, however, as the manager referenced the Belgium-based midfielder as one who is well able for the quick turnaround.
"It is not a problem for someone like Josh Cullen, who is in the moment, and has played so many games in Europa League and in the league for Anderlecht," said Kenny.
"You get into that mode of playing every three or four days and that is fine.
"We might make some changes to freshen up and make sure that we are ready."
Three games in, three defeats in Group A for Ireland, every game is now firmly placed in the must-win category if Ireland are to have any chance of securing second place in the group.
And the manager was adamant that there would only be a positive approach heading into the Azerbaijan encounter.
Tomorrow’s opponents are, like Ireland, pointless after three game, but similarly they have yet to lose a game by more than one goal, including a fine performance against Portugal, losing 1-0 to the group favourites in March.
They lost 2-1 to Serbia, conceding a late goal, while they suffered the same scoreline in Luxembourg on Wednesday coming into this game.
Yet the manager would not even entertain answering the question when asked whether it would be a major setback if Ireland were again beaten at the Aviva.
"The question focuses on a negative. It’s hypothetical - what would I do if we don’t?
"There’s no reason for me to think like that.
"We can see the team evolve and progress, and we know we want to go and perform well and show our quality and put in a really strong display.
"There’s no point on me reflecting on 'what if’ and wondering. We have to be positive and try to go to win."
The fans are back in the Aviva for an Ireland match for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and the manager is keen to dictate the play and play to win.
Kenny is wary of the visitors, however, as they draw a large bulk of their squad from club side Qarabag who have shown their quality in recent seasons in European competition.
"We're at home, we want to really play with intensity, it's very important for us. We want to go and put in a strong performance and get the victory that we desire.
"Azerbaijan had very close games with Serbia and Portugal, and we've seen Qarabag get to the group stages [in the Europa Conference League] and comprehensively beat Aberdeen during the week, so we'll have to earn the right to win, there's no doubt about that.
"If we can get that home victory, it would be really special for everyone to celebrate it with the supporters and we have a huge desire to do that, and hopefully we can do it."
Kenny appears loathe to look beyond the next game, despite the fact that another tough test is waiting for his side on Tuesday night, also at the Aviva, as Serbia come to Dublin.
And while that match is another must-win encounter, the manager does not look set to rest players or sideline those who are currently on a yellow card ahead of the game, which could lead to a suspension.
"I am concerned about the yellow card rule, two yellows and you are banned, it seems remarkably harsh, particularly the way the referee was handing out yellow cards [in Portugal]," said Kenny
"You don’t want to lose anyone else before Tuesday. But we are going to pick a team to win, we haven’t got that in the back of the mind. We are thinking, ‘let’s pick the best team for this game, let’s try to win the game’."
Follow the Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, watch live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport.
