Chris Brunt: Northern Ireland are confident
West Brom defender Chris Brunt insists there is no problem with Northern Ireland's confidence ahead of today's crucial clash with Ukraine.
The Baggies left-back has travelled to France to be with the squad, even though he was cruelly ruled out with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in February.
Michael O'Neill's side looked uninspiring in their dismal opening-game defeat against Poland, but Brunt expects his fellow countrymen to be far more attacking this afternoon.
Brunt said: "I don't think there will be a problem with the team's confidence or morale. Everyone is so disappointed with the first game that they want to prove a point this time.
"We never really got into the Poland game in an attacking sense, and did not create very much.
"That was not like us. In qualifying and in the friendlies leading up to the tournament, when we have had the ball on the break, we have been very dangerous.
"I am sure Michael will look at that going into the Ukraine game because it is a game we have to win.
"If we don't, we are left with having to beat Germany, the world champions, to get out of our group."
Northern Ireland entered the tournament on a 12-match unbeaten run, but their 1-0 defeat to Poland was arguably the worst performance from the first round of games.
They didn't touch the ball in Poland's box until the 67th minute. Brunt said: "The Northern Ireland dressing room is normally a noisy place to be around, but it was very quiet after.
"Everyone was totally deflated. It felt like a massive anti-climax after all the build-up to Euro 2016 because the boys were so disappointed, not just because we lost but with the way we played.
"Now it is just a case of getting everybody ready again, mentally and physically, for Ukraine.
"There is no real pressure on us though, because nobody expects us to do well in France – apart from ourselves."
If he was fit, Brunt would be playing, but the former Baggies captain has still managed to find some enjoyment from his trip to France.
He said: "Obviously, I would love to have been playing myself. That was not possible, but it has still been nice to be around the team and see what has been going on."
