Ian Baraclough insists he is still the man to lead Northern Ireland forward after criticism and questions on his future intensified after a dispiriting start to this year's Nations League campaign.
Last week’s 1-0 defeat to Greece at Windsor Park and Sunday’s uninspiring draw with Cyprus were greeted with boos and jeers by a section of supporters.
The reaction on social media after the scoreless stalemate in Larnaca was equally scathing with a raft of fans calling for the manager’s head.
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Baraclough, who succeeded Michael O’Neill in 2020 and signed a new two-year contract in December, has won just three of his 18 competitive fixtures at the helm. Or six in 24 including friendlies.
Whatever way you digest the figures above, the 51-year-old accepts he’s in the firing line. He also knows he needs a positive result in Kosovo to quell the growing discontent.
“I know you’re always running the gauntlet as a manager but that’s not for me to discuss, otherwise it detracts from where your focus should be,” said Baraclough.
“There will always be question marks and people will always question what you do, but I’ve got the confidence that we are on the right track.
“I’m in a position where you’re always being criticised and questioned and I understand when you don’t win games of football, you get criticised.”
Has it been difficult to block out the flak and personal barbs in recent days?
“I’m not on social media and I don’t read the papers,” he said. “I concentrate on what we can do to improve.
“If I was more focused on what was being said about me, I don’t think you’d be doing your job properly, so for me it’s noise in the background.
“We’re all disappointed with the performances and results. We need to improve on that.”
Asked about hearing boos for the first time as Northern Ireland manager in recent days, he said: “I can totally understand and we understand as a group that fans are frustrated.
“Not getting the result and not seeing the team play to the best of its ability coupled with spending money on travelling abroad, we don’t take that for granted.
“There is just as much frustration within the dressing room as there is on the terraces.”
While Baraclough has found himself in the firing line, his hands are partially tied this month with a largely youthful squad at his disposal.
With a raft of senior players, including Stuart Dallas, Josh Magennis, Craig Cathcart, Conor Washington and Corry Evans, unavailable, 11 of his panel are aged 22 or under.
Baraclough, who has handed debuts to Manchester City teenager Shea Charles, Huddersfield's Brodie Spencer and Glentoran winger Conor McMenamin across the two games, also has one eye on the Euro 2024 qualifiers which kick off in March.
“I’d love to have come here with what would be considered a settled squad and a squad where you maybe introduce one or two new ones along the way,” he said.
“There has to be a realisation of where this squad is at, the players and the levels they’re playing at. We have to be patient.
“I knew taking the job that it wouldn’t all be plain sailing but I’m confident we can build from this Nations League and put together a really good series of games in the Euros.
“That’s the end goal, to qualify for the Euros. It’s not where we are now. Let’s look at where we are at the end of the Euros (qualifiers).”
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