Jason Knight is miffed as to why Ireland have suddenly gone backwards but knows they must pull the finger out quick.
And he insists young players in the team, like himself, cannot absolve themselves of blame by pinning it all on the seniors.
Scotland, still reeling from their World Cup playoff semi-final defeat to Ukraine, arrive at Aviva Stadium tomorrow looking to inflict more pain and misery on Stephen Kenny.
And they do so having achieved what Ireland failed so dismally to do by seeing off lowly Armenia, with a 2-0 win at Hampden Park on Wednesday.
Nothing on current form suggests that Ireland’s fortunes will improve by tomorrow night, although Knight insists the team is capable of stopping the rot.
The in-demand Derby County midfielder - and defender Nathan Collins - were the only bright sparks in Wednesday’s flat display against a second string Ukraine.
“Everyone wants to put this to bed and get going again,” said Knight, who went close to securing an injury-time equaliser in that game.
“They were two disappointing results, we all know that. We have to finish this window as strongly as possible and that starts now.
“I can’t really put a finger on it but we have to do better as a collective. There were some good moments in Wednesday’s game, and good periods that we had.
“But in those moments we have to capitalise and get the first goal because as you’ve seen the last two games, the first goal is vital.”
At 21, Knight is one of the youngsters entrusted with key roles by Kenny as he continues to give youth its fling.
And the Dubliner insists it shouldn’t be up to the senior players alone to carry the can for poor results and performances.
Knight said: “There are a lot of young players but we’re in this squad too and we need to stand up now as men.
“We can’t be leaning on the older lads. We need to stand up and expect more from ourselves and deliver on the big stage.
“The senior lads have been great with us.
“It’s a very honest group and we need to come together and put in performances individually first and foremost and that includes the young lads.”
Kenny and his players could easily offer up a list of excuses for the bad results; the time of season, the missing players, the heat in Armenia.
But Knight is smart enough to know that none of it washes because every international team faces the same gripes
Instead, he feels that Ireland’s misfiring attack has let the team down and includes himself in that.
Playing in an attacking three, the midfielder continued: “When we’re in those periods of possession and sustaining pressure, we can do better as attacking players.
“We performed well in certain aspects [against Ukraine] but we need to do that for a full 90 and get the result. First and foremost that’s the most important part.
“I’ve now seen the highs and lows of international football. It’s something I need to step up to and demand more from myself and try to drag us out of this.
“We have a big game tomorrow and that’s the only way we can put it right.”
Knight feels the derby rivalry of the Scotland clash can fuel Ireland’s recovery mission in a positive way.
“It’s going to be a good occasion,” he added. “Scotland are a very good team but we know we are as well.
“It’s going to be a good game and hopefully we can get a good result.
“The crowd has been amazing. Ever since I’ve been in the squad the crowd has been fantastic, the best fans in the world.
“They are always behind us and the players need to step up and give them something to shout about.”
