Northern Ireland vs Cyprus: Irish FA chief addresses poor form in match programme

Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson accepts "there's no getting away from" Northern Ireland's disappointing results in the UEFA Nations League.

Pressure is mounting on manager Ian Baraclough after picking up just one point from three opening games in the current campaign.

That solitary point came from a drab 0-0 draw with Cyprus who are today's opponents at Windsor Park.

A section of the Green and White Army chanted "cheerio" after Thursday's 3-2 defeat to Kosovo, and nothing less than victory will be demanded from today's clash with 5/1 underdogs Cyprus.

Speaking in the match programme, IFA chief Nelson said: "There's no getting away from the fact we are disappointed with the return of only one point from three matches in the UEFA Nations League so far.

"As top seeds in our group we would have expected significantly more, however, here we are at the halfway point in the series in third place with one draw.

"Taking the glass half empty perspective, this is not where we want to be. Taking the other view, however, we have played all three teams in the group now and realistically there is nothing to be scared of in our Nations League opponents."

Nelson defended Baraclough by admitting Northern Ireland is a "squad in transition", and reflected on the manager's track record in bringing young players through including talented teens such as Conor Bradley, Shea Charles and Brodie Spencer.

He added: "It is clear we are a squad in transition now, as evidenced by the number of young players Ian has given debuts to in the past 11 days.

"Ian has a track record of bringing young players through to the senior squad , and when we are able to bring back some of the more experienced players who have been on the treatment table in