Bara wants lavery calmer in on goal

Ian Baraclough wants Shayne lavery to add composure to his game after welcoming the striker’s all-action approach back into northern Ireland’s attack.

lavery helped set the tone as Baraclough’s side made a strong start to Friday’s 3-1 friendly win over luxembourg, breaking into the box with just 20 seconds gone, then linking up with strike partner Josh Magennis moments later before firing narrowly wide.

But after Magennis put northern Ireland in front, Baraclough’s side struggled to retain possession, with the front pair unable to hold up the ball.

This allowed luxembourg to level through Marvin Martin’s secondhalf header before late goals from Steven Davis and gavin Whyte won it for the visitors.

The early exchanges were a strong reminder of what lavery can do after the Blackpool striker missed the final World cup qualifiers in october and november through injury.

“The impact he made in September, not only scoring against lithuania but creating several opportunities through his closing down and eagerness to get at defenders, harass them, and make them make mistakes; it’s something different for us,” Baraclough (below) said.

“gavin Whyte has that in him and he’s done that and gone and created his own goal for the third one — he’s got away from the defender and it’s such a calm finish.

“That’s something Shayne has got to get into his game as well.

Untidy

“I think there was a bit of untidy play as well, a bit of frustration for him and he’s got to learn.

“It’s a step up for him, international football, and you have to have that composure. But that will come.

“I was pleased certainly to have him back, his hustle and bustle. Defenders don’t like it at all.” lavery will now hope for another opportunity when northern Ireland take on hungary at Windsor Park tomorrow night, a match where Baraclough will know his side will need a much better performance to get a positive result.