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Gareth Fullerton

Northern Ireland vs Kosovo: Steven Davis hoping to turn "negative narrative" into success story

Steven Davis is confident Northern Ireland can turn a "negative narrative" into a success story as they look to send fans home happy from Windsor Park tonight.

Kosovo are the visitors to Belfast for the latest UEFA Nations League test for Ian Baraclough's side.

Northern Ireland are still searching for their first win in the competition, and have only picked up two points from a possible 12 in four opening games in the current campaign.

Read more: Kyle Lafferty thrown Northern Ireland lifeline despite squad axe

The woeful run has led to some fans questioning Baraclough's leadership, but captain Davis expects the Green and White Army to rally behind the team "as they always do".

The Rangers midfielder said: "I just think there is a very negative narrative, and for me the fans have always backed us.

“For 90 minutes they will turn up again tomorrow night and back the team for the 90 minutes during the game.

“I don’t have any concerns about that. We said after the previous games about the frustration that we have heard, that’s understandable as well.

“I think there has been too much made of [it]. The fans will always want the team to do well. They will sing and cheer us on for the duration of the game.

“That will be the case again tomorrow and it is up to us as players on the pitch to have that responsibility to make sure they go home happy.”

Davis added: "We want the win as much for them as for us, to be honest. They continue to back us.

"A lot has been said about their feelings about the summer games, but that is a shared frustration withIN the coaching staff and players.

"We do believe we are better than what we have shown. But tomorrow night is another opportunity for us.

"It has been a good week's training with the lads and hopefully we can get a result to send the fans home happy."

Northern Ireland lost 3-2 to Kosovo back in June, and also tasted defeat to Greece who they play again on Tuesday.

Their two draws came against Cyprus, with an injury time goal from Jonny Evans earning Baraclough some reprieve last time out.

Davis accepts the results have been disappointing, and insists the squad is better than those performances suggest.

"None of us want to look for any excuses but there are different factors within that. We all know the importance of us having a fully fit squad and our best players available at all times," he added.

“There have been younger players coming in and getting valuable experience, but we’d like that to be happening while we’re getting results as well.

“There are many different things, but we have to remain focused as a group. We’re frustrated as well because we believe we are better than we’ve shown in terms of getting results.

“The first goal is so important and we are maybe conceding too many goals. There are things we want to tidy up."

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