"It's not just big words. It's how I feel. I think that we can win both games and that's what we have to do."
Steadfast words from manager Martin O'Neill at the post-match press conference at Aviva Stadium, but tonight's 1-0 defeat to 10-man Serbia in Ireland's third from last 2018 World Cup qualifier means there is no margin for error now.
With Wales going ahead of the Boys in Green ahead of the final two group games - including a head to head in Cardiff - the situation for Ireland is altogether bleaker than when the international break started.
And bleaker still when one considers the players that will be missing when the qualifiers resume as O'Neill alluded to.
"Obviously we have to beat Moldova. We have to win but I think we've lost James [McClean] and Robbie [Brady], two big players for us for that night," he said.
"But before a ball was kicked if you'd said to me, that you'd seriously have to win the last two games, one at home and one away in Cardiff to make the playoffs, I would definitely have taken that."
Ireland's Daryl Murphy feels he is pulled back by Serbia's Jagos Vukovic ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
O'Neill added that 19 points may be enough to make it into playoff contention.
There were shouts for a penalty for Ireland when Daryl Murphy appeared to be hauled back by Jagos Vukovic but the referee did not award a spot kick, although O'Neill highlighted the players' clear feelings about the incident.
"I didn't see it back but the players are absolutely adamant that it was a penalty kick. I've not seen it back yet. The players in the dressing room are saying it's a clear cut penalty and the referee has chosen not to give it," he said.
On the lack of goal threat and firepower, O'Neill brought up Robbie Keane, who retired from international football at the end of last summer.
"A 27 year old Robbie Keane would have been in his element tonight," he said.
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