Northern Ireland v San Marino:NIGEL WORTHINGTON believes landslide victories are a thing of the past in world football. That is why the Northern Ireland manager will settle for a single-goal victory against traditional whipping boys San Marino at Windsor Park tonight.
The supporters are anticipating a goal fest. After all England, Spain and Sweden have been beaten in this corner of Belfast and the visitors have not won a competitive match in 18 long years.
Worthington, however, is of a different mindset ahead of this World Cup qualifier after seeing his team make a stuttering start in Group Three. He said: "We are looking for three points, simple as that. You do not get big wins in world football any more.
"The Faroe Islands against Austria (it finished 1-1 ) sums that up; San Marino scoring a goal against England after 12 seconds sums that up. They also gave the Republic a scare. We have got to be ultra-professional in our approach, make sure we do a job to the best of our ability and take our chances. If we do that, we will win the game. I do not care if it is 1-0, as long as we get a victory."
San Marino's latest setback came at the weekend when they lost 3-1 to Slovakia and Worthington said: "They put 10 men behind the ball.
"The biggest message I can put out is we have to be patient. We would love an early goal. We have got to use our guile, experience and quality to work our way through the game."
Worthington insists the players' attitude both on and off the pitch has been excellent despite the defeat by Slovenia.
With the squad together for a total of nine days, they are regularly checked out by the medical staff, including a sports scientist.
That entails daily urine tests to make sure they are properly hydrated while heart monitors are worn in training.
Worthington said "We have been away for a week now and that drive and energy is still there. I can see it in their faces. That speaks volumes for everyone involved. There is a good camaraderie among the group. There is a work time and a down time where we enjoy each other's company. That is part and parcel of football."
Worthington is forced to make at least one change to the side that lost to Slovenia as defender Jonny Evans is suspended. Gareth McAuley looks set to switch from right back to the centre, with Chris Baird moving out of midfield and into his slot.
That would create an opening for Crewe's Michael O'Connor to make his first start for his country.
Meanwhile, IFA president Raymond Kennedy is taking on the mantle of chief executive in addition to his own role - until Thursday at least. That is when the governing body's 11-man board will meet in Belfast, following the sacking of Howard Wells.
The panel will then decide what is the best way forward and whether Kennedy should continue in the short term until Wells' successor is appointed.
