John O'Shea believes Republic of Ireland owe their fans an improved performance, after the disappointment of Euro 2012, when they take on Kazakhstan in their opening World Cup qualifier on Friday.
O'Shea, 31, says Giovanni Trapattoni's team need to get Poland and Ukraine - where they lost all three group games - out of their systems and provide their supporters with something to cheer.
"We need to give everyone a bit of a lift and forget about the Euros," he said. "We want to get the feel-good factor back again, and it would help if we can get a win in our first qualifying game.
"We've been watching a few videos - Kazakhstan are a fast, counter-attacking team, so we'll have to be prepared. The smaller countries are improving their tactics a lot, and their set-pieces. If we are not fully concentrated, they can catch us out."
The Sunderland defender admitted Ireland were already playing for second spot in a World Cup qualifying group featuring Germany, Sweden and dark horses Austria.
"We can cause Germany problems in our two games against them, but - let's be honest and realistic about it - they have a fantastic squad with unbelievable young players and experience too so they are going to be the big favourites to finish in top spot," O'Shea added.
"It will be tough to top the group, but we are more than capable of coming second and getting through a play-off, just like we did for Euro 2012."
Trapattoni is set to welcome skipper Robbie Keane into his line-up after the LA Galaxy star missed last month's friendly game in Serbia. Stoke's Jonathan Walters is expected to be promoted to a regular starting role alongside him for the World Cup qualifying push.
