Under-fire Leeds United goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell has revealed his disappointment after Northern Ireland failed to earn a win against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday night.
The friendly clash ended goalless, but Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland had a plethora of chances and if it wasn’t for the form of Darren Randolph in goals, it more than likely would have been a win for the Green and White Army.
Peacock-Farrell, 22, has been criticised by a number of Leeds fans and Northern Ireland fans for his recent performances and he admits that it was hard to see his side fail to win the highly-anticipated showdown in Dublin earlier this week.
“We’ll look back at the chances that we had and I feel we were the better team, so it is slightly disappointing that we didn’t put them away,” said Peacock-Farrell,” he said, as quoted by the Belfast Telegraph.
“Coming away with a 2-0 or 3-0 victory would have been a fair result.
“It is frustrating that we aren’t putting the opportunities away but you have to take the positives that we are getting into those positions regularly.”
OPINION
While Peacock-Farrell did keep a clean sheet – just his second in his last seven games for club and country – the Leeds goalkeeper hardly looked convincing to some of the Northern Ireland supporters, must they must remember that he is still young and is still learning. This time last year Peacock-Farrell was on loan with York City in the National League North, no one expected him to be number one goalkeeper by the end of last season but he did a very good job and deserved it. Right now he is Leeds’ best goalkeeper. Jamal Blackman’s broken leg is a shattering blow for him and for Marcelo Bielsa, especially as Peacock-Farrell’s form has dipped, but this is time time for the Whites shot-stopper to show his true quality and really come of age. Remember Peacock-Farrell’s performances against the likes of Wolves last season, he can be a star if he is afforded the patience.