Heimir Hallgrimsson is adamant that his players were well-versed in the challenge of taking on Armenia last month.
Ireland went into the game off the back of a hard-fought, come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Hungary in Dublin, and made the long trek to Yerevan on the Sunday ahead of the Tuesday encounter.
The manager has attempted to explain what went wrong against the bottom-seeded side, and addressed it with the squad when they gathered in Dublin for the October double-header, and he has now turned his attention to perhaps getting something from tonight's game in Lisbon (7.45pm).
However, Hallgrimsson was asked whether the players knew their role in Yerevan, based on a comment from Finn Azaz at a press conference earlier this week.
"Maybe there was a lack of understanding of the challenge we were coming up against away to Armenia in terms of the occasion, the environment and in term of them as players," said Azaz.
Hallgrimsson was quick to counter the comment and added that Azaz certainly should have known his role for the game.
"We discussed the Armenia game when we met up on Tuesday," said Hallgrimsson.
"Tuesday morning, yeah, we did that, reflected on that game. But obviously we'll revisit that after tomorrow.
"So we'll do that again. I don't think anybody will not be aware of how good they are and where the threats are.
"Shouldn't have, shouldn't have," added Hallgrimsson, when asked was he surprised that Azaz felt like that going into the game.
"But players are different, they take in information in a different way. Some need more time, some are more visual than listeners, etc.
"So we'll have to adjust to everyone."
The issue of the jersey being "too heavy" for players was also raised once more, and Hallgrimsson said that it was really up to the FAI to address the matter to make sure that young players get the correct support.
"I’m always answering the same way this question," said the manager.
"This is something the FAI needs to think long term to help young players cope with the pressure that comes with playing international games.
"Yeah, that’s going to be my answer to this one, again."
Hallgrimsson was joined by Evan Ferguson for the pre-match press conference, and the player was also asked about the theory of the "heavy jersey".
Ferguson said that it all really comes down to having confidence when putting the jersey on.
"I wouldn’t say much about a heavy jersey," said the young striker.
"I’d say a confidence thing maybe, because whoever is here wants to play for their country and wants to play as best as they can.
"No one comes here to want to lose games. Every time you’re here you want to win games.
"So I think it’s just more of a confidence thing and trying to build a run of results, and hopefully we have the squad now that can do that.
"We’ve got a mix of some of the players in the past who have gone away to tournaments, and we’ve got some young players who can be here for many years. Hopefully we have a run of games and we do well."
Ferguson, of course, is one of the youngest players in the squad and is enjoying a new lease of life playing in the Italian capital for Roma in the top flight, Serie A, and he also confirmed that he is fully fit and ready to play, following speculation that he was bringing an injury into camp this week.
"I think if you watch the games, I’ve done quite well in most of the games, but not had too many chances," he said, when asked about not hitting the back of the net.
"It is what it is, you want to score goals, there is no getting around that, but I’m not really too worried, to be honest."
"I'm fine. I've trained all week with no problems, so all good," he added, when asked about his current fitness status.
"I just had a problem in the game before the last and wasn't able to play in that game. But with a bit of time, coming into camp and having some treatment, I'm all good."
And Ferguson is not yet ruling out the squad’s chances of progressing from the group and qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.
"Yeah of course, there would be no point in being here if we didn’t believe that," said Ferguson.
"Every time we’re together we have the belief, and whatever anyone else says we have to just put aside and come together as a group and find out what we need to do and how we can get ourselves to America next year."
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