Kenny Cunningham believes the Republic of Ireland need to turn Lansdowne Road into a "fortress" again if they are to qualify for next summer's European Championship finals in Portugal.
The Boys in Green made it four points in five days with last night's goalless draw against Albania, following Saturday's win in Georgia, to get themselves up and running in Group 10 - having started their campaign with two defeats.
Ireland face Albania and Georgia in the return fixtures at Lansdowne Road in June, followed by a home clash with Russia in September. They have lost just one competitive game at home in nearly eight years - to Switzerland last October - and Kenny Cunningham believes they need to embark on another such run.
"Lansdowne Road has to be a fortress again," said the Birmingham defender. "Traditionally we have been impressive at home. But that obviously wasn't the case against Switzerland last October, and we shall be looking to rectify that in the summer.
"We still feel the destiny of the group is in our own hands. The two games at home in the summer will be key games now, and coming out of them we shall have a better idea of what we need to do," he said.
"There are big games ahead now, and I hope the fans turn up in their thousands to support the team. They are crucial games, and we shall start looking forward to them as soon as we get home.
"We are quietly happy with the past week's work. Privately, the players would have settled for four points coming out here for the week - and we have achieved that.
"With Switzerland being held to a goalless draw in Georgia in the night's other match, we haven't lost any ground on the teams above us in the group - so overall we are pleased," Cunningham said.
PA