BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key challenges facing Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill ahead of their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier double-header.
Michael O'Neill said himself last week that the challenge facing him as Northern Ireland manager now is significantly different from when he arrived in December.
BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key challenges facing O'Neill ahead of their upcoming double-header away to Kazakhstan and Slovenia, .Stuart Dallas has not played for Northern Ireland since March 2022 O'Neill seemed keen to downplay expectations in June, saying that qualification was no longer the aim given the injury pile-up. That's perhaps an understandable approach but, even with qualification off the table, it's important to bring a halt to the current mini losing streak.
Scoring goals on a regular basis has been a perennial problem that has dogged Northern Ireland for years and it is one that O'Neill realises he will have to solve if his team are to pick up qualification points. Effective wide players were a feature of O'Neill's first reign in charge and, although he has opted for a 3-5-2 formation during most of the four games so far, you get a sense from him that there could be more of an emphasis on attacking from the flanks as he welcomed the regular paying time that his out-and-out wingers hve been enjoying at club level.
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