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'We have got off to the worst possible start ever. We have to get our heads down and start getting the results because it is simply not good enough. We'll just have to put things right.'
Elliott was speaking ahead of Ireland's friendly international against The Netherlands on Wednesday at Lansdowne Road. The absence through injury of Ireland's record goal scorer and captain, Robbie Keane, means Steve Staunton must look elsewhere for the main supply of goals. Elliott acknowledged that he is just one of those options.
He said: 'There are a few injuries and that but it has given a few of the lads in the squad a chance to show what they can do. I'll just wait and see what Steve wants to do. If I'm told to play I'll be happy to do so.'
In the first game under Staunton's reign, Elliott was deployed as one of three strikers in an attacking 4-3-3 formation, which yielded a 3-0 victory over Sweden. The striker noted: 'It was a positive formation and I think it worked out really well. I don't think we should worry about any game. If we play well, then hopefully the goals will come.'
Elliott believes that The Netherlands will be the toughest game of Staunton's tenure thus far but that it can serve them well for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Germany on 2 September.
The former Belvedere player believes 'it is going to be a step up from Sweden and Chile'.
He added: 'With the qualifiers coming up it is probably the perfect game to play beforehand. I think no matter what team they (The Netherlands) put out they are going to be a strong team because of the players they have in their squad.
'We have to show people we are ready for the qualifiers.'
The striker, who scored his first international goal in Cyprus last October, has been joined in the international set-up by his Sunderland colleague Daryl Murphy, who has been rewarded for his impressive early season form.
Elliott said: 'Daryl [Murphy] has been flying and done really well in pre-season. He has scored a couple of goals early on in the season. I have been very impressed with him.'
http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0815/elliotts.html