Defensive set-up is key to manager’s game plan
Numbers at the back will determine how NI approach Italian challenge
WORLD Cups for Northern Ireland — 1958, 1982, 1986. 2022? Time will tell if Qatar joins Sweden, Spain and Mexico on the list. What we know already is that it will be a big ask for Ian Baraclough’s men to reach next year’s finals after being drawn in the same group as Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Lithuania.
Remember: only the nation that tops the table is guaranteed to qualify, with the runners-up involved in a play-off.
Think play-off and you hit a raw nerve with Northern Ireland players and fans. Managers too. Michael O’neill, now in charge of Stoke City, was distraught when his side lost the two-legged showdown with Switzerland for a place at the 2018 World Cup.
And last year there was crushing disappointment for current boss Baraclough, having watched his boys heroically overcome Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties in a semi-final only to lose the Euro 2020 play-off decider at home to Slovakia.
That was a glorious opportunity missed because Slovakia were there for the taking at Windsor Park, but defensive errors and a lack of cutting edge in front of goal cost Northern Ireland a shot at featuring in a second successive European Championships.
Baraclough admits that for him and his players, watching this summer’s Euros on television will hurt but knows one way to ease the pain would be kicking off the qualifying campaign in Italy on Thursday and versus Bulgaria in Belfast next week in positive fashion, offering a platform for the squad to build on when the Group C games resume away to Lithuania in September.
Parachuted in following O’neill’s exit and after delivering some cracking results with Northern Ireland Under-21s, Baraclough will know all too well this is a big campaign for him. It is also the manager’s time for the team to truly become his because a whirlwind start to senior management with eight games in three months, including six Nations League encounters, didn’t allow him a bedding in period.
So, how is he going to play it in Parma for the opening match and how should he play it?
GOALKEEPERS
Bailey Peacock-farrell may not have had too much game time with Burnley this season but he is a certain starter for Northern Ireland against Italy.
Peacock-farrell has improved since first coming into the squad but still needs to cut out small lapses in concentration. He has the potential to enjoy a big campaign. Michael Mcgovern and Trevor Carson are injured, which has allowed young Liverpool ace Liam Hughes and Derry’s Nathan Gartside to come into the squad alongside Celtic’s Conor Hazard, who ought to be given some experience in Sunday’s friendly with USA in between the World Cup clashes.
DEFENDERS
The big question here is if Baraclough goes 3-5-2 or plays a four at the back.
Either way, Jonny Evans, enjoying another excellent season with Leicester, will be the lynchpin and Watford’s Craig Cathcart should be alongside him. If it is three at the back, Daniel Ballard is the man to join Evans and Cathcart, with Stuart Dallas and Jamal Lewis operating as raiding wing backs if and when they can move forward. Should a flat back four be the choice, Dallas needs to be further up the pitch in midfield to get the most out of his incredible energy, so Michael Smith or Conor Mclaughlin would be best at right-back. Paddy Mcnair is another versatile performer who could shine in defence but he is better served in midfield for his country.
MIDFIELDERS
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has been extremely intelligent building his team around
Steven Davis in the middle of the park.
He has made the Northern Ireland captain the link between defence and attack and used the 36-year-old’s knowhow and experience to keep the ball, play telling passes to create chances and put out fires in his own half when the opposition push on. It has worked a dream for Gerrard, with Davis inspirational in this season’s title success.
The same strategy and position should be adopted for the Northern Ireland great at international level.
In a four man midfield, the running power of Dallas and Mcnair would work well alongside him, with Ali Mccann, Jordan Thompson or George Saville making up the quartet.
If it is 3-5-2, Davis, Mcnair and Mccann has an exciting feel to it, with Dallas and Lewis on the wings to give the Italians something to think about.
FORWARDS
This is tricky because other options for Baraclough are 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1, which may see a lone striker and Niall Mcginn or Gavin Whyte potentially coming into a five man midfield or given a free role.
With Conor Washington out injured and Liam Boyce possibly at the birth of his child, it’s between Josh Magennis or Kyle Lafferty to start. Magennis has been magnificent at times as an impact substitute, which is an important role, so Lafferty, in fine goalscoring form for Kilmarnock, may not be a bad shout from the first whistle.
Whyte’s pace provides a threat while Shayne Lavery (Linfield) and new squad member Dion Charles (Accrington Stanley) are in confident mood and could be wild cards off the bench if the game needs to be chased.