Forde confident Republic of Ireland will qualify for World Cup in Brazil

In theory at least 14 of the 24 Championships sides have something meaningful to play for this Saturday and, as he sits and reflects on Millwall's position, it's no surprise that David Forde would have preferred for Millwall to have been one of the other 10.

A scoreless draw against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night brings some personal pride for the 33-year-old Galwayman in so far as it is another clean sheet but the single point was not enough to guarantee safety ahead of Saturday’s trip to Derby.

Forde, however, believes that the Londoners will drag themselves over the line. “I feel very good, very positive,” he said at yesterday’s launch of the eflow-sponsored FAI Summer Schools programme for 2013. “It’s put us ahead of three teams and bar a catastrophe now we should be okay.

"We are hanging on by our finger nails," he acknowledged, "but there are a few permutations there: Palace have to get something against Peterborough at home. Huddersfield still need to beat Barnsley otherwise Barnsley can outjump them on goal difference. And Sheffield Wednesday have Middlesbrough at home and on the day you don't know what Boro side will turn up.

Better shape
"We need a minimum of a draw on Saturday (in fact, they technically need a win but one point would all but make safety certain) and after last night's result . . . when we get one clean sheet we usually go on a run of two or three."

They are in significantly better shape than another club with a healthy Irish contingent: Wolves, who now need something approaching a miracle to stay up. “Yeah, thank God,” observed Forde as he briefly ponders the fate of international team-mates like Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt and Stephen Ward.

Assuming his own club does survive, things look pretty good for Forde. His own form has been good this year and, of course, he has displaced Keiren Westwood as the Irish number one. Things could change if his rival get regular top-flight football next season or Newcastle’s Rob Elliott comes more into the reckoning but right now the former Derry City and Cardiff City star can look forward to a good end-of-season international programme.

“It’s phenomenal how football pans out sometimes,” he said with a grin. “One minute I’m sweating, saying: ‘Jesus, will I make it to the Euros?’ and then all of a sudden I’m starting and being number one in the last few games.

“I’m grateful to the manager and hopefully I can repay the faith he’s shown in me,” he added.

"It's fantastic," he said when asked about the upcoming four games to be played this month and in June. "Everyone as a young kid dreams of playing England, especially at Wembley because it's a special place. That will be a massive game but more important is the World Cup qualifier (against the Faroes); that is the main game and it's all geared up to getting fit and ready and being prepared for that one."

Little startled
Asked if he intends making the trip to New York for the game against Spain he seems a little startled. "I'd certainly like to," he said before adding: "I've waited too long to get into the side to go picking and choosing games . . . I'd like to play in every game."

Much the same applies to the rest of the current group. “The old guard, some of the legends, have gone. It was different for them as they had their caps under the belt and it (the previous trip) was more about bringing players into the squad whereas now there are younger lads, and myself, coming into the squad with not a lot of caps; we all want to get more and play.”

With games, he believes, the current group will improve and Forde is surprisingly confident about Ireland’s prospects over the second half of this World Cup campaign, with the goalkeeper adamant that Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will somehow make it to Brazil.

“The Faroes game is a potential banana skin but I think we know what is at stake and the consequences. We all want to get to a World Cup and a good result would give us 11 points and put us in a good position going into the remaining games.

“I’m actually very confident. I think we’ll qualify. I just think on past performances and you look at the players who have come into the side, they improve your confidence.

“Séamus Coleman has been a revelation and James McCarthy . . . We look focused and hungry.

“ I think we will qualify”