Carla Ward admitted she's facing "a bigger job" than she anticipated with the Republic of Ireland but remains confident they are moving in the right direction after Tuesday night's 2-1 Nations League win against Greece.
Amber Barrett and Anna Patten goals had the Girls in Green cruising until Veatriki Sarri's well-taken effort set up an anxious climax.
Ireland saw it out, but they remain a work in progress. Ward has now made five half-time subs in her last three games, evidence of a coach searching for the right balance.
"Yeah, it's a bigger job," she said. "It's a great job, I must admit, I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s a new challenge. I’m adapting to international football, I’ll make no bones about it. It’s a big job.
"I'm a realist. I think you have probably worked that out by now. I'm quite honest in my assessments. You saw from the first camp to this camp how we have tweaked particularly our shape when we have the ball in terms of making sure we are a little bit more secure. We are learning and growing together."
Ireland got the rub of the green in Tallaght. Leanne Kiernan was chopped down just outside the box by Athanasia Moraitou in the opening half, but German referee Franziska Wildfeuer pointed to the spot. With no VAR, there was to be no overruling, and Barrett converted from the spot.
Greece are 35 places below Ireland in the world rankings - honest but limited. And yet they made this a game, the hosts badly missing their swashbuckling captain Katie McCabe, who was suspended.
"Look, I think we were in complete control and they scored that goal which probably gave us a few nervy minutes where I think a little bit of work with managing moments," added Ward.
"But overall, two wins from two, six goals across the two games, we've got to take that massive belief and confidence into the final two games.
"I don't shut up for 90 minutes. They hear everything. I speak to the full-backs and wide players to get messages on. We talked about stretching the pitch a lot. We talked about getting in wide areas. We played one to many central passes that hurt us but over the course of 90 minutes we have to be happy."
Slovenia's 1-0 win in Turkey means strengthened their grip on top spot in League B Group 2. Only the winners gain automatic promotion to the top tier. It's likely that Ireland will have to win in Turkey and then beat the Slovenians by four goals or more to have any chance of coming first.
Otherwise they'll head for a promotion/relegation play-off against one of the third-placed League A countries in October - not a disastrous scenario given it would offer Ward more opportunities to go up against a strong outfit in a meaningful game.
"That might be the case, which would be another couple of competitive games of course but what I will say is, it's not over till it’s over," she said.
"We have a way, this group will have a way, of going out there in Cork (against Slovenia)... hopefully we get the job done in Turkey and then hopefully we can go out in Cork and be exciting and front-footed."
Meanwhile Greece manager Alexandros Katikaridis revealed his charges were taken aback by the atmosphere in Dublin.
"It was a little bit strange for our players, they were surprised by the crowd, they are not used to playing in front of so many supporters," he said.
"The crowd was so loud that most of the times they couldn't hear me.
"Our girls, our players have to build and show their character, be the personality of the team, grow up as a team.
"We’ll fight until the last game until the last moment to keep our position in League B.
"As the Greek national team we want to have an identity. I think we have already won the respect of all of our opponents."
