McMenemy sticks with losing formula

If nothing else, Northern Ireland's dedication to continuity is worthy of commendation.

On Monday, despite a record of only one win in 12 competitive games since his appointment as manager, Lawrie McMenemy was offered a new contract which will see him in charge until the conclusion of the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign. Tonight, despite fielding a barrage of criticism in the wake of Saturday's abject 3-0 home defeat by Turkey, McMenemy is likely to persist with the same starting 11 against Germany in Dortmund.

"We want to keep progressing," he said. "We had a setback on Saturday and we want to get back to the type of game we were playing against France and the Republic of Ireland when we were creating chances and not letting water in. I'm glad we're playing again so soon and that we've got this chance to put things right."

Confidence in McMenemy's efforts among the fans plumbed new depths after the Turkish defeat, and the management team desperately require one of Northern Ireland's renowned, if sporadic, gutsy displays to restore credibility.

History shows that an away fixture against the Germans could prove an unlikely source of redemption. In 1992 Northern Ireland travelled to Bremen with similar expectations of a drubbing and emerged with a creditable 1-1 draw, courtesy of a Michael Hughes strike. An identical scoreline was the outcome of their 1996 World Cup qualifier in Nuremberg.

Hughes will win his 50th cap tonight and the Wimbledon winger will hope to renew what has been a productive relationship with German defences, two of his three international goals having been put past them.

"I don't know why that is and they must be my lucky team or something," he said. "But I do know that it would be great to score again and get a result against them. We're determined not to let anyone down."

Defender Barry Hunter is McMenemy's biggest fitness worry and, if his ankle injury rules him out, QPR's Steve Morrow is expected to come in.

Northern Ireland (probable): Taylor; Horlock, Hunter or Morrow, Williams, A Hughes, Kennedy, Lomas, Lennon, McCarthy, M Hughes, Dowie.