Northern Ireland v Slovakia: World Cup qualifier biggest game in years – Stuart Dallas column

Michael is building something really special. We don’t want to put too much pressure on this squad but hopefully they can go and get a result.

This group is young but they are growing together, and you can see that in Michael’s approach to leadership.

Michael isn’t in any rush to name an outright captain and he’s shared it around a number of players such as Trai Hume, Conor Bradley, Shea Charles and Paddy McNair.

I agree with that approach and he’s asking questions of each individual, and getting responsibility from players who can all bring something a bit different. He is giving different players responsibilities and that can really help the group overall.

When I was at Leeds United, although we had a club captain we had a leadership group which worked really well because everyone brings their own ideas and experiences, which help in different ways.

Each player has different leadership skills. For some that is leading on the pitch, and for others it’s away from it or the experience they bring.

Michael had full-time captains in the past with Steven Davis and Jonny Evans, but this group is different and it’s a good thing for them.

I’ve been fortunate to have played at Windsor Park when it is full and the place is rocking.

The fans at Windsor Park will have a big role to play and they can be a driving force.

They urge you on that last bit and that will be vital for this young squad in the key moments as they don’t have a huge amount of experience in the biggest games.

They can help give you the belief that you can go and achieve a big result. Michael will be aware of that as well, and the fans also realise that he is building a special team.

It is a huge game, and they now have a chance to go and lay down a marker for the rest of the campaign.

Stuart Dallas was speaking to BBC Sport NI’s Andy Gray.