Admittedly, nine points from the two fixtures against San Marino and the home game against Wales next March could change the complexion of the group and move us up into a position from where we might just emerge as contenders. However, thoughts of qualification are not relevant right now.

What is relevant is the pressing need to build on an excellent performance against the Czech Republic, a performance which rescued Staunton from a precarious position following the debacle in Cyprus.

So, Wednesday's game is highly significant despite the nature of the opposition. The manager has to remind the supporters and the media that he is right man for the job, and while it's clear that the media are going to take a lot more persuading, the way the crowd got behind the players during the Czech Republic game was evidence that there are plenty of people who want Staunton to succeed.

Ireland must win convincingly without thinking in advance about the 20 goals that San Marino conceded against Germany and the Czechs. Those results don't necessarily mean that we should go out and score 10. Football just doesn't work that way.

The draw with the Czech Republic was a foundation for Staunton, and now he can add a building block with an emphatic victory. I know he has mentioned that first and foremost he'll take the three points, but there has to be more than that. For example, a 1-0 win will kill off all the positives that came out of the Czech game, and add to the pressure he's already under.

The cliche about there being no easy games in international football is not applicable here. Let's be honest, if there is an easy game left, San Marino are probably it. Curiously enough . . . and this is with a bit of tongue in cheek . . . I think they had better players a few years ago.

They weren't being humiliated the way they have been so far in this group.

Still, because of the importance of both the performance and the margin of victory, it's not the time to blood inexperienced players. In the end, Paul McShane, who in my view has earned his selection with a fine display against the Czechs, might turn out to be the only concession to inexperience.

I saw him play for West Brom against Arsenal in a recent Carling Cup match, and he struggled to contain Jeremy Aliadiere who's not a first team regular.

McShane is very game, very gutsy, and while I'm not sure if he can go on and develop into a centre back of real stature, I think he has done enough to be given an opportunity to create a defensive partnership with Richard Dunne.

I think Lee Carsley will also start, which represents a climbdown for Staunton who clearly didn't have the Everton midfielder in his plans at the start of qualification. Carsley's not a special player by any stretch of the imagination, and I'm not waving a flag for him, but he is playing regularly in the Premiership, and he's in better form than some of the alternatives.

Apart from Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, Andy Reid is probably the only other player in the squad who has that extra bit of class, and I can see him providing opportunities on Wednesday for Keane and the emerging Kevin Doyle.

Reid's struggle with his weight is one well worth winning, because he has something to offer both the Premiership and the international game. If he fails to reach the required level of fitness, then it will be a waste of a good player.

Speaking of emerging players, there has been some speculation that Anthony Stokes might soon challenge for a place in the senior squad. As head of youth development at Arsenal, I have a vested interest in Anthony who's currently on loan at Falkirk, and his form over the past six weeks has certainly been impressive.

Like several other highly-promising young players at Arsenal, Anthony knows he wouldn't be getting first-team football right now, and he has taken his opportunity really well at Falkirk and I for one am not surprised that he's currently the SPL's leading scorer.

At a time when Clinton Morrison is bang out of form, and when Stephen Elliott is also struggling, Staunton could do a lot worse than take a close look at Stokes. The Ireland B team is probably the right place for him at the moment, but he is certainly a player for the future.

The tie against San Marino will be the last competitive football game to be staged at Lansdowne Road. In truth, I never really liked the place. It wasn't packed out that often when I was playing and it didn't compare to Highbury and other grounds in England and Italy that I was lucky to experience. I'm won't be in the slightest bit sad to see it rebuilt.

As for Ireland, there will be a lot more than sadness around if we don't win by three goals or more.