Last Updated: Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:58
Wigan midfielder James McCarthy knows the importance of momentum as the Republic of Ireland prepare to face Poland on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old has represented his nation at every level from under-17 to the senior side and believes that they must regain some much-needed positivity in the squad with a win against Poland.
The former Hamilton Academicals man still relives the embarrassment of the 6-1 loss to Germany in October 2012, although they have turned out twice since that game, picking up a 4-1 win over Faroe Islands but losing 1-0 against Greece.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side have picked up six points from three games and sit third in their World Cup 2014 qualification group and the Latics midfielder knows that a win against Poland could be the catalyst the side needs.
"We need to try and put it (the Germany defeat) to the back of our minds and try to really kick on now," said McCarthy.
"Poland's a good test for us and then next month, we have got the two qualifiers, and we need to go into those games and try to be as positive as we can.
"It's not going to be easy. Sweden and Austria are two massive games and two tough games."
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