Scotland Squad

[Jaggernaut]

Never heard of most of them. More than a few in teams below the English Premiership.

 

Are they really the best we have?

[Blackpool Jags]

Never heard of most of them. More than a few in teams below the English Premiership.

 

Are they really the best we have?

 

The best we have that haven't laddered their tights or nursing a plook etc.

 

Fortunately, most of the very seriously injured will be fit for club action at the weekend. Phew.

[Guy Incognito]

Never heard of most of them. More than a few in teams below the English Premiership.

 

Are they really the best we have?

Yes. And Steven Fletcher as well (if he could bury the hatchet with Levein).

 

In fairness there were six players named in the original squad who play in England below Premiership level and of that six five have either EPL and/or Champions League playing experience. Plus, the English Championship is at least as good a standard as out SPL, if not slightly better. Even England had three players playing Championship football in their squad to face Holland (although admittedly the current England squad is probably the weakest since the Turnip Taylor era).

[kni]

Yes. And Steven Fletcher as well (if he could bury the hatchet with Levein).

 

In fairness there were six players named in the original squad who play in England below Premiership level and of that six five have either EPL and/or Champions League playing experience. Plus, the English Championship is at least as good a standard as out SPL, if not slightly better. Even England had three players playing Championship football in their squad to face Holland (although admittedly the current England squad is probably the weakest since the Turnip Taylor era).

 

If Scotland could repeat the form we showed against Spain consistently, we would have a good chance of qualifying for a major tournament. Sadly, Levein's inept and negative tactics and the antics of the prima donnas let us down.

 

England have similar problems. A fully-fit and well-managed first 11 would be one of the best sides in the world. Several key players, however, are on the wrong side of 30. With the exception of Cashley Cole, their fitness and form are suffering but Capello does not have the guts to drop them. Surprisingly, England's main weakness is their goalkeepers. Joe Hart is good but not world class.

[Mr Bunny]

Surprisingly, England's main weakness is their goalkeepers. Joe Hart is good but not world class.

 

Scotland is in the same way (except maybe we're starting to find some younger players) - for 20 odd years any success we had was based on a solid defence and making do with a very limited number of players who could create/take chances.

 

In recent years our defence has been rubbish. We used to have great centre backs now we don't - there's a couple of promising young lads but they won't be ready for a year or two. I'm not convinced by the present bunch though we seem to be improving elsewhere though we still need a genuine international class striker.

 

Still anyway, here's the team:

 

McGregor; Bardsley, Caldwell, D Wilson, Crainey; Snodgrass, Brown, Adam, Morrison, Naismith; Miller.

 

Wilson and Snodgrass the talking points.

[Guy Incognito]

Scotland is in the same way (except maybe we're starting to find some younger players) - for 20 odd years any success we had was based on a solid defence and making do with a very limited number of players who could create/take chances.

 

In recent years our defence has been rubbish. We used to have great centre backs now we don't - there's a couple of promising young lads but they won't be ready for a year or two. I'm not convinced by the present bunch though we seem to be improving elsewhere though we still need a genuine international class striker.

 

Still anyway, here's the team:

 

McGregor; Bardsley, Caldwell, D Wilson, Crainey; Snodgrass, Brown, Adam, Morrison, Naismith; Miller.

 

Wilson and Snodgrass the talking points.

I agree with that. Centre-half in particular is a real area of weakness for us. It is a good job that we have two top class goalkeepers to pick from now, in McGregor and Gordon (when he is fit). It is just a shame that the rules prohibit us from playing the two of them at the same time.