Room for improvement against Hungary – Northern Ireland talking points
Ian Baraclough’s side will look to build on Friday’s 3-1 win away to Luxembourg.
Northern Ireland will be back at Windsor Park on Tuesday night for a friendly against Hungary.
As they look to build on Friday’s 3-1 win away to Luxembourg, the match will be the last opportunity Ian Baraclough gets to try out new ideas before June’s Nations League quadruple header.
Here the PA news agency looks at five key talking points ahead of the match.
Room for improvement
Although Northern Ireland could take confidence from a victory and three goals away from home, Baraclough was quick to recognise Friday’s performance at the Stade de Luxembourg was a “mixed bag”. Though Northern Ireland started and finished strongly, in between they allowed Luxembourg to dominate possession, and the hosts looked the more likely winners early in the second half as they peppered Luke Southwood with shots on his international debut. Hungary are a considerable step up in opposition – having been promoted to League A they will take on England, Germany and Italy in this summer’s Nations League – and Northern Ireland will need to be much better at keeping the ball if they are to live with them.
Freshening things up
Baraclough will look to name a strong side on Tuesday but several changes are expected from Friday night. Steven Davis, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Dan Ballard, Ali McCann and Paddy McNair are five players expected to come into the starting XI, and there could be more as Baraclough looks at his options for the summer. Having previously spoken about how triple-headers could stretch his small squad, Baraclough is trying to work out how to handle the four fixtures they will face in June, and needs to know which of the younger players in his squad are ready to step up.
Magennis on song
Happy memories
Door still open for Lafferty
