Ireland lost their opening group game on Friday when Slovenia scored with their only shot on target and then survived an Irish barrage that saw the home side hit the crossbar and force 13 corners to Slovenia’s two.
But the Dundalk midfielder believes all that was missing from an otherwise excellent performance were goals.
“If we can play like that against Latvia and hopefully take one or two of the chances we create then we can win,” said Poynton. “Obviously we were targeting a win from that game but, as I said to the lads afterwards, I think we learnt from that game. They had one chances and they scored from it and we battered the goal down and didn’t score. We know we need to win our final two games so that’s what we will be looking to do starting with the game against Latvia.”
Ireland Head Coach Paul Doolin could find little fault with the performance against Slovenia bar the failure to put away some of the chances his side created and felt the elements played a part in winning goal when Ireland failed to control a ball in a midfield.
“We didn’t want to lose the opening game but we did and now we know we have no margin for error. We have got to beat Latvia and Scotland so we know what’s needed. If we can produce the second half performance against Latvia and stick away some of the chances we create then we should be okay. The boys were very disappointed to come away with nothing and are determined to put things right tomorrow.”
Doolin has lost central defender Danny Kane who has returned to Huddersfield Town after suffering concussion in the first half of yesterday’s game. His departure means that Doolin will have to work off a squad of 17, 15 of whom are outfield players, for the rest of the tournament. Dan Casey, who replaced Kane in the Slovenia game, is also doubtful after picking up a nose injury.
Schedule
Friday, November 13
Scotland 2 Latvia 0
Republic of Ireland 0 Slovenia 1
Sunday, November 15
Slovenia v Scotland, Markets Field, Limerick (2.30pm)
Republic of Ireland v Latvia, Eamon Deacy Park, Galway (7.30pm)
Wednesday, November 18
Scotland v Republic of Ireland, Markets Field, Limerick (3.30pm)
Latvia v Slovenia, Eamon Deacy Park, Galway (3.30pm)