SM
Man United vs. Bodo/Glimt: 13 hrs 42 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Ian Baraclough calls for youngsters to soak up experience

:Headline: Ian Baraclough calls for youngsters to soak up experience:
Uncapped teenagers Sam McClelland, 19, and Conor Bradley, 17, have been named in a 25-man squad to play Malta and Ukraine.
Sports Mole

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough has highlighted the importance of finding the right blend of youth and experience as he looks to blood more youngsters in upcoming friendlies against Malta and Ukraine.

Uncapped teenagers Sam McClelland, 19, and Conor Bradley, 17, have been named in a 25-man squad that includes promising young players such as Shayne Lavery, Alistair McCann, Alfie McCalmont and Ethan Galbraith.

Captain Steven Davis is rested while vice-captain Jonny Evans is out through injury, two of several high-profile omissions as the likes of Corry Evans, Jamal Lewis, Michael Smith and Conor McLaughlin are missing for various reasons.

But with a strong core including Leeds midfielder Stuart Dallas, Hull forward Josh Magennis, Watford defender Craig Cathcart and Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn, Baraclough will be relying on his more experienced players to guide the new boys through.

"I could have taken a completely young squad, a development exercise and see how they go, but the senior players, 10-15 years ago they would have been nurtured by the senior pros at the time and it's important that you've got that integration," Baraclough said.

"The older more experienced players can set them on the right pathway, set the standards in training, set the standards around the hotel and do things the right way.

"To have those senior pros here is massive and the young lads have got to be like sponges and take everything from them."

Captain Steven Davis is among the senior players allowed a rest at the end of the season (Brian Lawless/PA)

Baraclough said he had told his players after the World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria there would be no obligation to join the camp this summer after a gruelling run over the past 18 months.

"For many of them it's been two seasons back-to-back without any break whatsoever," he said. "It's a big ask in these times. A lot of them have been without family, like (Davis) up in Glasgow with his family down south, he's been away from his wife and kids only meeting up from time to time.

"For the rest of them, some of them are out of contract, some are nursing injuries, some are getting procedures down – Jamal had a little procedure done – some are at different stages."

Jonny Evans had intended to travel until recently, but Baraclough effectively knew from the moment the Leicester defender hobbled out of the FA Cup final that he would be without the 33-year-old.

With Dan Ballard yet to join the squad as he prepares for Blackpool's Sky Bet League One play-off final on Sunday – the same day Northern Ireland face Malta in Austria – Baraclough has added to his defensive options by calling up McClelland and Bradley.

Liverpool's Conor Bradley, left, has received his first senior call-up (Nick Potts/PA)

"I just feel as though they had a strong season at their respective clubs," he said.

"We want to try and develop those players and fast-track those we feel are capable of doing that, test them at the next level. We may find at this moment it's too much but it gives them an idea of what's needed."

After facing Malta on Sunday – a game which replaced a cancelled fixture in Turkey – Northern Ireland will head to Dnipro to take on Ukraine on Thursday.

"The intention is to come away having won two games," Baraclough added. "That's got to be the sole focus. We'll see where we get on that, we've got to come out with some positives from the trip, and from the group.

"There are young players coming in all the time and it's got to be competitive, it's not a shoo-in for anyone. Someone is after their shirt, someone is after their place and everyone has got something to play for here. There's no such thing as a friendly."

body check tags ::

amp_article__449116 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-05-26 13:37:13:
html db last update - 2021-05-26 13:37:13 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Ian Baraclough

Click here for more stories about Malta

Share this article now:
NI
Read Next:
Ian Baraclough selects mix of youth and experience in Northern Ireland squad
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Ian Baraclough Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Ian Baraclough selects mix of youth and experience in Northern Ireland squad
Disaster for the holders: Slick Liverpool comfortably beat Real Madrid at Anfield
January reunion? Emery coy over potential Luiz return to Villa
Confirmed draw, fixtures for UEFA Nations League knockout stage and playoffs

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Disaster for the holders: Slick Liverpool comfortably beat Real Madrid at Anfield

1

DF

Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Liverpool vs. Real Madrid

2

WC

Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics - prediction, team news, form guide

3

PC

Preview: Al-Nassr vs. Damac - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PA

Ruud van Nistelrooy set to become new Leicester City manager and replace Cooper

5

RV

Liverpool suffer double injury blow during their win against Real Madrid

6

LS

Team News: Man Utd vs. Bodo/Glimt injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

7

TN

Team News: Spurs vs. Roma injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

8

TN

Archer, Aribo to return? Predicted Southampton lineup vs. Brighton

9

AA

Wednesday's Championship predictions including Leeds vs. Luton

10

WC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .