France striker Thierry Henry has urged his team-mates to do their utmost to get the fans back on their side during the World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Austria.
Les Bleus know that even two victories are unlikely to secure them their ticket to South Africa as they are currently second in Group Seven four points behind leaders Serbia in the race for an automatic place.
Henry feels the most they can do is try to regain the fans' confidence in the team and hopes they can do that by building on last month's battling draw in Serbia.
"If we don't go to the World Cup, everyone will suffer," he told L'Equipe. "But it's all our fault.
"It's up to us to give back to people the desire to believe in this team.
"I said before that we lacked a reference match. Even though we didn't win, the one in Serbia could be that.
"The way the match was leaves me thinking that this team has a spirit.
"This team is looking for itself, I hope it finds it."
Football matters in the France camp have been overshadowed of late by off the field controversies.
Last months' double header against Romania and Serbia was marred by reports of a bust-up between under-fire coach Raymond Domenech and his players.
Henry denied there was a clash and has played down the story.
"There was a discussion as there are in all the dressing rooms in the world," he said. "But no one raised their voice. There was no clash.
"Domenech is not part of my family. He's not my father but he is someone humane and honest."
The France squad were embroiled in another saga recently when striker Karim Benzema surprisingly admitted he had not really felt like playing against Serbia and had struggled to give his all.
There was speculation the 21-year-old would be left out of the latest squad but he was kept in by Domenech and Henry has leapt to the defence of the Real Madrid forward.
"I'm not in his shoes," he said. "But he is going through a difficult time in the France team.
"We have all experienced hard times.
"But Karim Benzema is the future of French football. We need him, whether we want him or not.
"I prefer to remember the end of his comments, when he said he was ready to give everything, even for 10 minutes."
France will be without Franck Ribery after the Bayern Munich striker was forced to withdraw from the squad on Monday with a knee injury.
He was replaced by Bafetimbi Gomis and although the Lyon forward fainted in training yesterday he is not thought to be a doubt for Saturday's visit of the Faroe Islands.
Henry feels the most they can do is try to regain the fans' confidence in the team and hopes they can do that by building on last month's battling draw in Serbia.
"If we don't go to the World Cup, everyone will suffer," he told L'Equipe. "But it's all our fault.
"It's up to us to give back to people the desire to believe in this team.
"I said before that we lacked a reference match. Even though we didn't win, the one in Serbia could be that.
"The way the match was leaves me thinking that this team has a spirit.
"This team is looking for itself, I hope it finds it."
Football matters in the France camp have been overshadowed of late by off the field controversies.
Last months' double header against Romania and Serbia was marred by reports of a bust-up between under-fire coach Raymond Domenech and his players.
Henry denied there was a clash and has played down the story.
"There was a discussion as there are in all the dressing rooms in the world," he said. "But no one raised their voice. There was no clash.
"Domenech is not part of my family. He's not my father but he is someone humane and honest."
The France squad were embroiled in another saga recently when striker Karim Benzema surprisingly admitted he had not really felt like playing against Serbia and had struggled to give his all.
There was speculation the 21-year-old would be left out of the latest squad but he was kept in by Domenech and Henry has leapt to the defence of the Real Madrid forward.
"I'm not in his shoes," he said. "But he is going through a difficult time in the France team.
"We have all experienced hard times.
"But Karim Benzema is the future of French football. We need him, whether we want him or not.
"I prefer to remember the end of his comments, when he said he was ready to give everything, even for 10 minutes."
France will be without Franck Ribery after the Bayern Munich striker was forced to withdraw from the squad on Monday with a knee injury.
He was replaced by Bafetimbi Gomis and although the Lyon forward fainted in training yesterday he is not thought to be a doubt for Saturday's visit of the Faroe Islands.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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