Joe Hodge says Ireland are aiming to top their Euro Under-21 qualification group this time - so they can avoid a repeat of last September’s play-off heartache.
Hodge (20) is one of the veterans of that campaign to remain eligible for the upcoming qualifiers.
It won’t be easy for Jim Crawford’s side, with Ireland drawn alongside Italy again, as well as Norway, Turkey, Latvia and San Marino.
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However the Wolves youngster, with 11 first-team appearances to his name last season, is bullish about their chances.
Hodge is currently in Austria as part of a 26-strong squad for a training camp and friendlies against Ukraine on Friday and Kuwait next Monday.
Looking to September’s kick-off, he hailed the strength of Crawford’s squad, saying: “There's a lot of talent there and more importantly a lot of boys who will work hard for each other.
“We showed some of that quality in March in the friendly (a 2-1 win against Iceland), but that is not for us to get carried away with.
“We have got to keep working this week and make sure we’re prepared for September.
“But we definitely have got a good group of players. I’m sure we’ll be fine come September, I’d back us to go and qualify this time.”
Ireland came closer than ever before to making a first ever Euros when they reached the play-offs for this month’s finals, finishing second behind Italy in their group.
That took them to a play-off against Israel and after the two-legged tie finished 1-1 on aggregate, Ireland bowed out on penalties.
“None of us want to feel like we felt in Israel after that game, we want to make sure we top the group this time, we don’t want to go to a play off,” said Hodge.
“That's what we’re aiming to do and I’m sure we can do it this time.”
He added: “I just think it’s that feeling of, and the staff feel the same way, we don’t want to get so close and not qualify.
“It’s not about putting in good performances or playing nice football, we’ve got to just go out there and get enough points to qualify. That’s our aim.
“We’ve never done it before and I think this campaign is probably the time where we should go and do that.
“I think we are all dead excited about it. It’s a great opportunity for us. Everyone is on the same page, we all want to top the group.
“The way we felt after (the play-off) was horrible. We don’t want to end up feeling like that again.
“That’s why we want to top the group, we don’t want to leave it to a play-off and what happened in Israel where it went to a shootout and anything could happen.
“We want to make sure we are there in the next Championships.”
Hodge made 11 first-team appearances last year for Wolves, including six in the Premier League, and he admitted his breakthrough came as a surprise.
“At the start of the season I hadn't played much football, I had played 12 maybe 13 games across three seasons,” he said.
“So for me just to get any minutes at first team football level, I couldn't believe it really.
“The way it all happened but I'm grateful for it. It was a good opportunity for me to go and kick start my career.”
A former Manchester City prospect, he watched on as some old schoolmates triumphed in the Champions League last Saturday night.
Despite seeing them lift Europe's top prize, he hasn't regretted his decision to leave City for Wolves.
“I know a few of the boys; Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis… I went to school with those two,” he said. “I’m happy for my mates, for Cole and Rico.
“I’m glad I made my decision. I’ve never regretted it.”
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