SM
Hungary vs. Germany: 12 hrs 55 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Switzerland clash not a revenge mission for Northern Ireland, says Steven Davis

:Headline: Switzerland clash not a revenge mission for Northern Ireland, says Steven Davis:
The Swiss ended Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in controversial fashion.
Sports Mole

Steven Davis believes Northern Ireland would be wasting their energy if they spent any time thinking of Wednesday's crunch World Cup qualifier against Switzerland as a revenge mission.

It was the Swiss who ended Northern Irish hopes of reaching the 2018 finals with a hugely controversial 1-0 play-off win thanks to a disputed penalty, but captain Davis – one of four players in Ian Baraclough's squad who played that night – said he and his colleagues have moved on.

"The squad now is very different to what it was then," the Rangers midfielder said. "We won't use any energy on revenge or anything like that.

"We know the importance of this game and what it could do for us and that is our sole focus."

After Thursday's 4-1 win in Lithuania, Northern Ireland go into the game knowing a victory would move them above Switzerland into second place behind European champions Italy in Group C.

Baraclough's side will be full of confidence, having followed Thursday's win with a 1-0 friendly victory over Estonia on Sunday, delivered by a much-changed side.

The manager, a little over a year removed from his first game in charge, arguably did not enjoy the rub of the green early in his tenure, but recent results – Northern Ireland have won three of their last four starting with the 3-0 friendly win over Malta in June – give a cause for optimism.

"We knew the things we were laying down, the processes, the things that give us a chance to win games, were working for us," Baraclough said.

"We came into this camp knowing we were playing well and we just needed to tighten up one or two things.

"We were clinical against Lithuania, we took our chances and played very well, (apart from) 10 or 15 minutes, and then with a totally different team against Estonia, a tricky game but we came through it and I think we're in very good form and high in confidence."

Baraclough had previously set his side the target of picking up points against Lithuania and Bulgaria to put themselves in a 'mini-table' against Italy and Switzerland for the top two places in the group.

But the manager insisted Wednesday's match was not a do-or-die fixture, with a victory guaranteeing nothing, nor a defeat ending any hopes.

Pointing to Bulgaria's draw with Italy, he said: "There are going to be more results which will surprise people, so we've just got to make sure we look after our games, our house.

"If we get that right, we'll put ourselves in with a great chance...We'd love to beat the Swiss at home but if we do that it's not job done.

"We have to go there and to Bulgaria next month so it's important we don't get too far ahead of ourselves and consider it the be all and end all if we win this game."

George Saville is available after missing the Lithuania match through suspension, but Paddy McNair is banned, joining Jonny Evans, Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans and Josh Magennis on the sidelines.

New Switzerland coach Murat Yakin has major problems of his own. Ex-Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri joined Mario Gavranovic, Loris Benito and Breel Embolo in withdrawing from the squad through injury, while former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka is out having contracted Covid-19.

"Both of us have lost key players and it's important those players who come in do themselves justice and get into a position where it's difficult for me to leave them out next time round," Baraclough said.

"We know we will come up against a decent side. They are 14th in the world and they are not there for no reason and we have got to be ready for a tough battle."

body check tags ::

amp_article__462647 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-07 15:14:12:
html db last update - 2021-09-07 15:14:12 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Steven Davis

Click here for more stories about Northern Ireland

Share this article now:
SF
Read Next:
Shane Ferguson insists Northern Ireland are ready for Switzerland challenge
>


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 Steven Davis Ian Baraclough Murat Yakin Granit Xhaka Xherdan Shaqiri Mario Gavranovic Jonny Evans Stuart Dallas Corry Evans Josh Magennis Breel Embolo Loris Benito Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Shane Ferguson insists Northern Ireland are ready for Switzerland challenge
Tale of three penalties! Spain edge out Switzerland in five-goal thriller
Sensational Pogback? Man United 'make decision' on Pogba training return
Monday's Nations League predictions including Spain vs. Switzerland

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
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

Croatia comeback to secure Nations League progression with draw against Portugal

1

CC

Sensational Pogback? Man United 'make decision' on Pogba training return

2

SP

Tuesday's Nations League predictions including Hungary vs. Germany

NEW

3

TN

Wynne Evans hits out at "lies" after Strictly Come Dancing exit

4

WE

Triple threat! Chelsea receive three injury boosts as training images released

5

TT

Tale of three penalties! Spain edge out Switzerland in five-goal thriller

6

TO

Preview: Chelsea vs. Celtic Women - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PC

Anfield bound? Liverpool 'table £17m bid' for Ligue 1 star

8

AB

More expensive than Salah? Liverpool told Marmoush fee "won't be enough"

9

ME

Picture Spoilers: Next week on Coronation Street (Nov 25-29)

10

PS


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