Neil Lennon says the Irish FA would be wrong to react in a knee-jerk fashion and axe under-fire Ian Baraclough after Northern Ireland's dismal start to the Nations League campaign.
It took a stoppage time equaliser from Leicester City defender Jonny Evans to scramble a 2-2 draw with Cyprus in Sunday’s Group C2 fixture at Windsor Park.
The result left Northern Ireland with only two points from their opening four pool games and fighting relegation to League D alongside the Cypriots at the foot of the table.
Read more: Ian Baraclough determined to remain at Northern Ireland helm 'until told otherwise'
A section of Northern Ireland fans chanted “cheerio” at Baraclough after last Thursday’s 3-2 defeat in Kosovo and boos rang out across Windsor Park on Sunday.
The 51-year-old was also jeered by a small number of supporters as he conducted post-match interviews with Premier Sports and BBC.
The pressure is building but while Lennon branded Northern Ireland performances “poor”, he says Baraclough should be given time to put things right.
Northern Ireland conclude their Nations League campaign with games against Kosovo (H) and Greece (A) in September before the Euro 2024 qualifiers kick off in March.
“In terms of changing him, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do at this point in time - I wouldn’t call for anybody to lose their job,” Lennon told Radio 5 Live.
“I think he needs a few more games where we’d hope to see an improvement and progression with the balance of the squad.”
While Lennon is opposed to a knee-jerk reaction, the former Celtic boss says Baraclough will know he’s working in a “results driven business”.
He also believes the former Notts County midfielder has yet to find an effective formation and balance between younger players and senior stars.
“Ian did say before this campaign ‘yeah I’m looking for four wins out of four’ - well that proved to be very ambitious,” said Lennon.
“It’s OK saying we’re blooding young players and I get that to a certain degree, but it’s a results driven business and you’re gauged on results.
“I don’t think he has found the balance yet between the experienced players and the young players.
"I don’t think the formation is working and I don’t think he’s getting the best out of the better players at his disposal in terms of the overall performances. The quality of the performances has been poor.”
Cyprus, with just six wins in their previous 60 away games, led 2-0 before Northern Ireland, who have now gone 14 Nations League games without a win, staged a comeback.
Paddy McNair swept the ball home in the 71st minute and Evans made it 2-2 in the 93rd minute when he forced the ball over the line off the underside of the crossbar.
“I don’t know how the public are going to view it or how the media are going to view it, but from my own point of view it wasn’t a great performance,” said Lennon.
“It’s not a win and it's not a great result against - let’s have it - poor opposition. The goals Northern Ireland conceded were very poor and the overall performance wasn’t great.”
Baraclough insisted after Sunday's game that he has no intention of stepping away from the national post.
He said: "People can boo all they like. I’m not going unless I’m told and that is up to somebody else to make that decision.”
Read more: Northern Ireland fan puts David Healy on the spot during live television broadcast
Read more: Ian Baraclough says 'majority' of Northern Ireland fans accept where his squad is right now
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