Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis believes manager Ian Baraclough is still the best man to carry the team forward despite ending a disappointing Nations League campaign with another defeat.
There were calls from some traveling Northern Ireland fans for Baraclough to resign at the end of Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to Greece in Athens.
When asked if the manager still had dressing room support, Davis replied: “Yes, I think so, I think everyone is in the same boat.”
The loss meant NI had only survived a third tier relegation play-off on goal difference, as they finished with five points from six games after starting as the group’s top seeds.
“We are all trying to work to try to improve, we wanted to support Kosovo’s game, come here and get a result,” Davis added.
“I know it’s hard to try and get out and get a result, but obviously we couldn’t do that tonight.”
A goalkeeper error from Bailey Peacock-Farrell gave Dimitrios Pelkas an opener for the Greeks, but Shayne Lavery equalized three minutes later.
Giorgos Masouras came home to put Greece back in front and Petros Mantalos exploded in third.
While Cyprus’ loss to Kosovo on the same night meant Northern Ireland finished above them on goal difference, defeat in Athens means Baraclough’s men find themselves pot 5 for the draw in the Euro 2024 qualifiers in October.
“I think it’s a frustration shared by everyone, including the manager, in terms of performance and results,” Davis added.
“Obviously we’ve conceded too many goals in general in games. We’ve had some good spells but we have to put everything in place and get back to doing the basics right.
“I think we conceded that first goal too many times and it gives you a big task to try to get back into the game. We have a lot to work on, but there is quality within the team. and we think we should get better results.”
Davis to ‘reflect’ on his international future
Davis, who made an unusual mistake giving the ball away for Greece’s second goal, said Northern Ireland’s 1,000 traveling supporters gave the team good support during the match.
“I think during the game the fans again showed their support for the full 90 minutes and that’s all we can ask for,” he said.
“They continued to do so, regardless of how well the team performed throughout my career in Northern Ireland.
“They just want to see us win games, like us, we want to win games and it’s frustrating when we don’t.”
Davis earned his 140th cap on a night when he gave the captain’s armband to longtime teammate Jonny Evans, who was making his 100th international appearance.
It is uncertain whether the Northern Ireland cap record holder will take up the armband again for the next game, with the 37-year-old Rangers midfielder saying he will consider his international future now that this campaign of the League of Nations is over.
“I’ve said over the past few years that when it comes to the end of the campaign, it’s important to sit down and reflect, and make sure you can still help move on. before,” he said.
“It’s something I have to do, and discuss with my family and my manager. I don’t know if we’re going to have a game in November or not, I don’t think there’s one organized so at this stadium moment in time, the next games will be March for us.”
