Kenny Cunningham is a straight- talking character who tells it exactly how it is.
He will call a spade a spade, doesn't deal in blarney and the only line he toes is his own.
So when the 34-year-old Birmingham and Republic of Ireland skipper states it is win or bust for the Emerald Isle, then you know they will go on the attack.
The tightest of all European qualifying groups has four potential qualifiers but Switzerland and France are in the box seat.
Israel need a freak set of results while Ireland's fate is in their own hands.
When they slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Dublin last month against France, the former world and European champions, there was a collective groan that could be heard across the Irish Sea.
Automatic qualification is out of the equation but while there is a glimmer of hope the Irish will chase it.
A win over Cyprus on Saturday would leave them with the task of beating Switzerland in front of their own manic support to secure a play-off berth.
Cunningham, who has seem Birmingham throw off their defensive shackles this season, is not expecting too much cover from midfield as Ireland go for broke.
He said: "As disappointed as were after the French game coming into the dressingroom, things are now black and white for us.
"There is no in between and no grey areas. We have to be really positive in our approach against Cyprus, it is not an easy place to go to and we know that, but no international away game is.
"We know that if we don't put in a good performance we are out, it is as simple as that.
"It keeps the thought process simple really. We need two wins from the two games, anything less and we are going to miss out. We have to go to Cyprus, be positive and win."
This has been a campaign full of ifs and buts for the Irish team. They have twice conceded to Israel and those lapses could prove costly in the final shake-up.
They were unfortunate to face a French team that had a fit Thierry Henry, as he scored the only goal in Dublin last month, but Cunningham refuses to dwell on what might have been.
His trenchant views ensure the time for recriminations will arrive only if Ireland bow out of the competition - and probably curtail his international career into the bargain.
"There are always going to be regrets but this is not the time to think about it," Cunningham said.
"There are still two games to play and we can still qualify for the play-offs at this time.
"We don't think back to the games that have gone before, because we can't affect them. Six points from these two games will be enough to see us in the play-offs, and that will be some achievement.
"We will focus on that, prepare as well as can, which we always do.
"A lot of fans will be travelling over there, so it should be a great atmosphere inside the stadium and we will have some good support in Cyprus.
"Hopefully we can replay the loyalty they have shown and the support they have given us in the group so far."
Cunningham still found time to cast his eyes over domestic matters and voice his satisfaction at improvements within Birmingham's recent performances.
It has not manifested itself in any tangible reward as yet but Cunningham believes the omens are promising, as the club seeks to climb well clear of the relegation zone.
He said: "The basic shape and organisation of our team has been better and we look far more organised.
"We haven't looked as if we are going to concede too many goals.
"Now that might seem like a strange thing to say after not keeping a clean sheet against Arsenal and conceding two against Liverpool but the shape of the team is so much better.
"We are working more as a unit and looking much more like ourselves in terms of getting around the pitch, getting in contact with people and making it difficult for the opposition.
"We will take encouragement from our recent performances."
