{"id":23908,"date":"2021-11-08T03:07:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T08:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23908"},"modified":"2021-11-10T13:09:31","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T18:09:31","slug":"northern-ireland-boss-calls-for-players-to-finish-campaign-on-a-high","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23908","title":{"rendered":"Northern Ireland Boss Calls For Players To Finish Campaign On A High"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Baraclough\u2019s men sit second from bottom in their World Cup qualifying group (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough has urged his side to reverse their recent slide in fortunes as they prepare for back-to-back World Cup qualifiers at Windsor Park next weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baraclough\u2019s men sit second from bottom in Group C after losses in Switzerland and Bulgaria, and will not take anything for granted against Lithuania on Friday before facing Italy three days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuania notched their only points so far with victory over Bulgaria last month and Baraclough told the FA\u2019s official website: \u201cWe know the Lithuanians are strong, resolute and really compact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey had a good result at home to Bulgaria and have a new coach who is starting to implement things that he wants to get across to them, and you can see that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to finish the campaign on a high. We have two home games with our own fans in the stadium, so we want them to go home looking forward to the UEFA Nations League and Euro qualifiers which are coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baraclough revealed his only injury concern is Millwall midfielder Dan Ballard, who is battling an ongoing knee issue, but no replacements have yet been called upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are awaiting news on Dan Ballard relating to an ongoing knee issue, so we look forward to an update from his club in due course,\u201d added Baraclough.<\/p>\n

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