Vieira: Focused on France
Patrick Vieira has told skysports.com he is confident France are heading in the right direction under much-maligned coach Raymond Domenech.
Domenech came in for stringent criticism following Les Bleus' poor showing at Euro 2008, after they failed to progress beyond the group stages.
Reports in France had suggested the head coach was set to lose his job as a result of the display, but the French football federation voiced its backing for his management.
France then got their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup off to a poor start last month, leading to renewed pressure on Domenech.
However, the country recorded three points versus Serbia in their second game to offer Domenech respite ahead of October's back-to-back away fixtures against Romania and Lithuania.
Belief
Inter Milan midfielder Vieira, 32, has been absent from France's recent encounters through injury, but has returned to fitness and been named in the squad to face Romania on Saturday.
And Vieira - who has lifted the World Cup and European Championships trophies while amassing over 100 caps with France - is hopeful his nation are behind their troubles.
"Yes I am confident (France are heading in the right direction). What gives me the belief is the quality of the team and the determination that we want to qualify for the World Cup," he said at an event run by Ford's Feel Football debate website www.feelfootball.com.
"Of course the manager is under pressure because when you don't do well and you are in charge of a big nation like France then the manager is the first in the firing line.
"But that is normal and I think he is used to it. What is important for us now is to get focused on our objective which is to win our game against Romania and try to qualify for the World Cup.
Fantastic
"Hopefully a few players, who have been injured like myself, will be back for that game.
"If we win in Romania it will be fantastic. It will relieve some pressure, but qualification will still be a long way away."
Ford's Feel Football programme engages fans debate with Champions like Jose Mourinho, Anders Frisk, Patrick Vieira and Ruud Gullit online at www.FeelFootball.com and at live events around Europe.
