Jonny Evans has warned Northern Ireland another below-par performance against Azerbaijan will endanger their World Cup qualification bid. The team ranked 88th in the world are the visitors to Belfast on Friday night, as they were four years ago early in Michael ONeills reign, when his side had to rely on a stoppage-time David Healy goal to prevent a shock away victory.Worse was to follow later in that World Cup qualification process when Azerbaijan claimed a 2-0 success in Baku, one month after ONeills side had been beaten in Luxembourg during a period when Northern Ireland recorded just one victory in 22 games. Northern Ireland boss Michael ONeill says he couldnt ask for much more from his players Both nations have seen their fortunes improve in the intervening years and three points at Windsor Park would put Northern Ireland above Azerbaijan into second place in Group C as they aim to reach back-to-back finals of major competitions.I think weve come a long way, Evans said as he reflected back on the previous meetings with Azerbaijan.Michael spoke about that, how to deal with teams like that. I think they surprised us out there with how organised they were. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ?£6.99. No contract. The expectations on us as a team have risen dramatically and I do think for Azerbaijan as well. Theyre sitting well in the group and Im sure they will be pleased with how theyve started.The last game against them at home, we equalised late on, [but] I think we were in control in that game. I know back then we were disappointed with the result. A car is believed to have developed a technical fault and caught fire outside Northern Irelands team hotel I think now it would be even more so and it would really derail our campaign if we were to perform like that again. It would be disappointing for us to perform like that.In terms of how we approach the game, were in a better mindset and weve got a much clearer plan going into the game of how were going to win.Watch Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan on Friday night. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7:30pm. Also See: ONeill content with start Sky Live: N Ireland v Azerbaijan Grigg keen to impress for NI Northern Ireland fixtures Stan Smith Cheap Online .com) - The Carolina Panthers won for the first time in seven games last week, were without Cam Newton due to a car accident this week, but somehow sit atop the much-maligned NFC South. Cheap Adidas Stan Smith Shoes . According to MMAFighting.com, MacDonald needs an x-ray on his right ankle and doctors clearance to fight or he will be subject to a mandatory medical suspension that will end on August 22, 2014. http://www.cheapstansmith.net/ . The team sent out a press release on Friday stating Poile was resting and recovering and that he will remain in hospital for further observation. The Predators were preparing for the game against the Wild when Poile was hit by a puck that flew off the ice at him where he was standing in a tunnel behind the bench. Adidas Stan Smith Online Sale . The Redblacks host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-9) Friday night in their last home game of the year and as of Thursday afternoon, the team was anticipating a ninth consecutive sellout. You can watch all the action on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, and TSN5 beginning at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. Adidas Stan Smith Authentic .In the Football Money League compiled by accountancy firm Deloitte, German champion Bayern Munich remained third but Barcelona dropped from second to fourth during its trophyless 2014.In the 2013-2014 financial year, Real generated 549.How do you fall so far, so fast? After filling the trophy cabinet with all the silverware last season, it looks as though Leeds might not even make the Top 8. Results in the Premier League seem to have been mirrored in the Super League and Leeds losses have looked like those of Chelsea last autumn. Whats gone wrong?A colleague has suggested that last year was the anomaly because Leeds struggled in the four seasons prior to 2015, finishing sixth, third, fifth and fifth. Perhaps they were just very luck in 2015.One thing is certain: their attack is nowhere near as good as it was in 2015. Theyve scored less than half the number of tries than they did in the opening 10 rounds of last season.Why? Finishing opportunities and accuracyWell, it isnt due to a lack of field position. Most tries in rugby league are scored when a team get close to their opponents tryline (ie inside their opponents 20-metre zone). Comparison showing tries scored in 2015 and in 2016 after round 10 This year, Leeds have spent more time inside that area but seem to have forgotten how to score.After round 10 in 2015, Leeds had 260 play-the-balls in the oppositions 20-metre zone and had scored 32 tries.Fast forward to round 10 in 2016, and Leeds have had 320 play-the-balls in the 20-metre zone but have scored only 19 tries.In 2015, many of Leeds best tries came from some brilliant offloads. They still offload the ball as much but they have not been as effective.Leeds skill level seems to be a bit below the superb standard they set last year as theyve made significantly more handling errors in 2016.The opposition also know what is coming, so when Leeds do create that second-phase play, teams are ready for them.Personnel changesPersonnel changes have obviously had an impact, but I dont think you can blame their dip in form solely on the loss of experienced players. Jamie Peacock had the knack of getting the pass away to create space outwide That said, the absence of Kevin Sinfields goal-kicking may have cost them a victory or two this season.The Rhinos have lost five games in which they have scored the same number of tries as their opponents and their main goal-kicker, Liam Sutcliffe, has been successful in just over 60% of his goals.Zak Hardaker has just four successes from eight attempts and while Jordan Lilley has kicked well, he has spent less time on the field than the other two.Jamie Peacock did make metres for Leeds when he ran the ball, but they have other big forwards who can do that.What JP did better than his replacements was provide an accurate and well-timed pass that helped to create space out wide. Leeds are still waiting to see what Beau Falloon can do at hooker They managed to cover the injury to Paul Aiton at the end of last season, but a good hooker is essential to a good team and Leeds are still waiting to see what Beau Falloon can do.ddddddddddddWithout Tom Briscoe and Ryan Hall, they dont look as scary on kick returns, which are a vital aspect of the game.Hardaker isnt playing at the level that he did 12 months ago and they now look like a team under pressure, rather than a relaxed one. They could even be trying too hard.Training ground impactThe flooding of their training ground in December has probably had a bigger impact than I first imagined as their skill last year came as a result of the time and effort that they put into passing the ball more.Without a regular pitch to practice on theyve wasted time moving from one temporary pitch to another and its shown. In a way, they have an unfair advantage over several other sides who dont have the luxury of the training base that Leeds use.It looks like it will be several weeks before they return but they cannot wait that long until the start picking up the wins. Returning star Robert Lui inspired Salford City Red Devils to a 14-10 win over fading Super League champions Leeds Rhinos. Time is nowThere are many reasons why Leeds find themselves one place off the bottom of the table, but not many games for them to do something about it.By my reckoning, they need to win nine of their next 13 games, which wont be easy as six of the next seven are against teams already in the Top 8. However, as Hull showed when Jamie Shaul scored his try on Good Friday, things can turn around very quickly in sport.If ever there was a game to kick-start 2016, its at home to a Hull side that have won their past five matches on the bounce.Can Leeds get back to winning ways against Hull FC? Watch live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Friday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract. Also See: WATCH: Baz and Tezs big hits! No self-doubt for Rhinos Follow @SkySportsRL Salford beat Leeds ' ' '