TOUGH-tackling midfielder Robbie Savage says if Wales can forget about the opposition they can emerge from the back- to-back World Cup 2006 qualifiers with six points to take to Old Trafford on October 9.

First up are Azerbaijan in Baku tomorrow Saturday followed by Northern Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday, and Savage believes that the only thing to stop Mark Hughes's side is themselves.

He said: "I think that it is not about them. It is about us and what we do.

"We could dig too deep into other teams but these matches are all about what we can do. If we do what we are good at, we can win the games.

"I think we are now at a stage where if we do what we are good at we have got a chance against anyone.

"Gone are the days when we might have worried about the opposition. In the past we might have gone into games against the likes of Italy, Germany, Argentina and England worrying about them but the manager and coaching staff have installed into us that if we play to the best of our abilities we have a good chance of winning.

"The preparation for games now is the best it has ever been, so we just have to go out and do it now."

The Birmingham City star believes that if the Wales squad can stay fit, they will be in with a good shout of wining the group and with a clean bill of health they can be a match for anyone.

He said: "I think this was proved against Russia. If we had our best team out we would have gone through. Simple as that.

"Obviously if we had got through (to the European Championships in Portugal) it would have been great but as soon as the draw was made for these qualifiers, the whole of the Welsh nation started to look forward to it, especially because of the draw with England."

Although Savage mentioned the E-word, he was quick to put it back out of focus.

"The England game is important but not the most important at the moment because we have two massive games before then and we have got to win them both.

"If we can win these first and go to Old Trafford with six points we would be in a good position."

Despite this, Savage is under now illusions that Azerbaijan could be a potential banana skin, especially now as they have 1970 World Cup winning Brazilian Carlo Alberta at the helm.

He said: "This time I believe they are a better team with a new manager. They will be much improved that what they were the last time out, so it will be a difficult game."

A few tickets for the Northern Ireland match next Wednesday are still available by contacting Ticketline UK at 47 Westgate Street, Cardiff or telephoning 08700 667799.