Sammy Clingan is desperate to forget about the Bratislava nightmare and walk into another Windsor wonderland.

Northern Ireland’s travel sickness was evident once again in Slovakia when a 2-1 defeat represented the worst possible start to a World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign which started with so much promise.

A failure to pick up points away from home heaps more pressure on the players’ shoulders for battles at Windsor Park, but in recent years Northern Ireland have stood up and been counted when the big guns have come to town.

Clingan played in the famous Euro 2008 qualifying victories over Spain and Denmark, but missed the win over Sweden through injury.

In the 2-1 win over the Danes he produced a man of the match performance and more of the same would be welcome tomorrow as the Norwich City midfielder hopes to win his 18th cap.

“The Slovakia game is over and done with; all the lads want to put that to the back of our minds,” said Clingan, who made his international debut during the two-game tour of the USA in May 2006.

“We have spoken about it and now we will move on. The atmosphere at Windsor is unbelievable and the fans are always on the bounce.

“It is brilliant to be walking out in front of them — I find it hard to describe the feeling — and I love international football.

“I can remember getting my international break in America and I love getting away on trips with the boys.

“At clubs you are training with the same players all the time, but there is a relaxed family atmosphere with Northern Ireland even though we will be professional and I enjoy seeing the old friends.

“I relish the challenges international football brings and the chance to pit my skills again top players in testing environments — such as Slovakia.

“And I like having a bit of time on the ball and being able to play without someone being in your face all the time like in the Championship.”

The phrase must-win has been given an airing after the disappointing show in Bratislava, but Clingan feels it’s too early in the campaign to adopt that negative outlook.

“The campaign has only started and to talk about a must-win game is ludicrous,” added the 24-year-old.

“It’s still a massive game and we want three points from this game; that would be sweet, but it’s still early days and no-one can count us out.

“We don’t want to be in a catch-up situation, but we can’t go into the game with negative thoughts and Slovakia on our minds.

“We have to look forward and a win would set us up for the campaign again.”

The referee came in for criticism on Saturday after Northern Ireland were denied a penalty in the 69th minute.

Chris Baird's shot appeared to strike the hand of a Slovakian defender but the referee waved play on.

However, Clingan is refusing to point the finger of blame at the man in the middle.

Clingan added: “We can’t blame the referee for our woes in Slovakia as we weren’t switched on at vital moments and we paid for that.

“If you’re off guard you will be punished. Some of our lads, including me, where remonstrating with the referee over the

penalty shout and we were caught at the back.

“Sometimes decisions go against you which can be harsh and in international football you always have to be switched on or you will pay the price like we did.

“The referee gave a free-kick to them and they scored from it.”

Clingan said the Slovakia team reminded him of tussles with Latvia in the Euro 2008 campaign.

“Slovakia passed the ball about well and we need to keep the ball better,” he added.

“They are a similar team to Latvia and we found ourselves chasing the ball in the heat which is not what you want to be doing.