Squad analysis
Off the pitch, Michael O’Neill has cultivated a special ‘club spirit’. On it, he boasts experienced players in key areas, epitomised by captain Steven Davis and defenders Jonny Evans, Gareth McAuley and Craig Cathcart. Crucially, he is also getting the best out of the likes of Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest), Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town), Oliver Norwood (Reading) and Stuart Dallas (Leeds United). His only question mark? The left side of defence after losing Chris Brunt to a serious knee injury in February.
One to watch
The influential Davis and forward Kyle Lafferty, who scored seven goals in qualifying, are the obvious an…