DAVID FORDE IS determined to prove that he is still Ireland’s number one against Poland.
The Millwall stopper is in line to start Tuesday’s friendly in Poznan after he was left on the bench for Martin O’Neill’s first game in charge.
Forde had nailed down his place as international first-choice with a string of solid performances over the last 12 months.
But now he has to fight to prove himself all over again under the new management.
Keiren Westwood has the advantage of having worked with O’Neill during his Sunderland days and is back playing regular Premier League football again under Gus Poyet.
Meanwhile Forde has to take his share of the blame for a woeful run which has seen Millwall concede 17 goals in the last six games and 31 in total, the worst defensive record in the Championship.
“It’s been difficult,” Forde said.
“We’ve had a new manager and we’ve certainly been playing with a lot more football. We haven’t been as solid as we’ve been in previous years.
We seem to be scoring a lot of goals but we’re leaving ourselves open and we’ve been conceding a lot of goals.We’ve been involved in some exciting games this year.
But entertainment value is of little consolation to a keeper anxious to impress his new international boss.
Beyond the basics Latvia gave Westwood very few chances to shine but Poland, anxious to bounce back from their loss against Slovakia on Friday and avoid a fourth straight defeat, will be a different test.
O’Neill targeted set pieces as one area to concentrate on this week and with Robert Lewandowski set to lead the Polish attack, that work could be crucial.
“There’s a lot of work that [O’Neill] wants to do but regarding set pieces and everything, it’s hard to get everything done and cover every angle.
“It’s certainly difficult at international level. It’s going to take a while to get his ideas. It’s still very early, there’s still a long time to go.
We practiced a lot on getting hold of the ball and moving the ball. It was difficult to do a lot of work on set pieces but that will come with tougher games down the line.
Forde’s work this week has been under new goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh, and he paid tribute to the man he replaced: Alan Kelly.
“Alan Kelly has been fantastic for me and my development and how I’ve improved as a goalkeeper,” Forde said.
That change of management, change of coach, and his club struggles present a significant challenge.
But, he says with a degree of relish, that’s football.
“Everyone wants to play, you want to play for your country. I know what I’ve done over the past year and I’m just looking forward to the next challenge.
All I can do is control what I’ve been doing.
