We're still in the hunt
No-one expects the Reading wideman to step into the irreplaceable Damien Duff’s boots and make them feel like they’re his own.
But in terms of the different qualities Hunt can bring to the international scene, he has yet to show that he can sustain his sometimes explosive energy off the bench across the full 90 minutes.
You suspect Hunt knows this. Ask him if he was happy with his performance against Bulgaria and he replies “ish”.
Put it to him that tonight’s game against the world champions in Bari is the biggest of his career and he answers: “I’ll let you know afterwards.”
One thing which the 27-year-old won’t be lacking is bust-a-gut spirit. And that looks like exactly what will be required if the visitors are to recover from the setback of dropping points at home to Bulgaria and avoid a first defeat of the campaign.
“I think that’s an Irish thing, we come together, we’re close knit,” says Hunt, who further suggests that Italy’s status as hot favourites could work to Ireland’s advantage.
“I think we do perform better when we are underdogs,” he says. “Down the years, history has proven that. The last time we qualified for a World Cup we qualified via a play off. So we’re no world champions. But we’re a good team, with good players playing in the top league in the world so we’re still confident we’re going to win the group.”
He’s confident too that Ireland can confound the sceptics tonight — although, when asked if it is important for the visitors to silence the home crowd early on, it’s surely instructive that his initial response majors on evading punishment rather than inflicting it.
“It’s not even about the crowd, it’s just to make sure we don’t concede an early goal,” he says. “Then the longer the game goes on, the more nervous they will get.
“They’re world champions and they won’t get that nervous but we have to try and stamp our authority on the game and we have to try and come away with three points.”
But, like his manager, Hunt is quick to add that while it might be desirable to win, it’s vital not to lose.
“We want to be top of the table so it’s important we get a result for sure,” he says. “Then you have to try and match their results all the way through the campaign until you play them at home (on October 10). If you’re within touching distance of Italy when you have them at home you’d fancy your chances. So it’s important we don’t lose tonight. And for that to happen, it’s vital we go try to win it and don’t sit back.”
To that end, he thinks the classic Italian style could suit Ireland.
“Their performances are never spectacular,” he says, hopefully not tempting fate. “They don’t play like Brazil — they play like Italy. Yes, they’re hard to beat and they have some individuals who can hurt you so we have to be on our guard. We probably didn’t do ourselves justice on Saturday but even though the Italians scored two goals at the weekend, I think Montenegro also had chances to score. We’ve got a good chance for sure.”
The Italians make much about their unbeaten record in Bari but Hunt says Ireland can also draw inspiration from history.
“We’ll be hungry,” he promises. “The disappointment Saturday in terms of not winning the game will be a huge factor, and hopefully we can make history away to Italy.
“It’s one of those games that brings back memories of Ray Houghton and all that kind of stuff.
“We’ll have a lot of Irish fans in the ground too so I’m sure there’ll be a good atmosphere. I remember the Czech Republic game in Prague two years ago and the atmosphere outside the hotel was amazing. I’m looking forward to playing in front of a lot of travelling Irish fans. The away fans get behind the team in terms of how much they sing. Generally that’s the same with every club and country, the away fans really get into it.”
Rather more important tonight, one can’t help feeling, is that Stephen Hunt gets into it — and keeps it going from first whistle to last.
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