Scotland can't freeze against Iceland
Interestingly, Scotland finish the group stages of the campaign against Holland on the ninth of September 2009.
The digits 999 though, might be useful before then.
This is a World Cup emergency but I suspect the collective talents of the police, the fire service, the ambulance crews, the coastguard and the SAS couldn't save us now.
George Burley reckons we can afford a draw in one of the four remaining games against Iceland, Macedonia and the Dutch at Hampden and Norway in Oslo, but I can't see us escaping with that kind of generosity.
It's not just second place we're looking for here: we have to ensure one of the other eight group runners-up has a worse tally than us and 14 points will be no guarantee.
At the moment there is no team in the silver medal slot with less than seven points, although in six-team sections they discount the results against the bottom side.
I'm sorry, chaps, but to extract ourselves from this quicksand we'll need the Full Monty of 12 points from four games starting right here, right now at Hampden.
You had better start praying that Iceland are as fragile as their financial infrastructure.
Anything but a win is unthinkable and, to be fair, we look capable of that, which at least would leave hope springing over the summer and into the new term.
Scotland actually played tig with a good performance at times in Holland although when the second goal went in with a full 45 minutes to come I thought we were trapped in the middle lane facing an oncoming Dutch juggernaut.
I'll forgive the team everything in Amsterdam because Holland are the real deal and potential winners of the tournament itself never mind our qualifying group.
But the atmosphere in the fabulous ArenA was a stark reminder that, despite the rise of the club game, the World Cup is the greatest sporting tournament on earth.
And 12 years is too long in its wilderness. Frankly, I have become sick and tired in the last two tournaments of being the nation that is the skint kid with his nose stuck to the sweetie shop window drooling in envy at the wonderment of it all.
The World Cup is for nations who like to party. And the publicans and restaurateurs and I daresay one or two other service providers in Amsterdam will testify to the talents of the Tartan Army in the R and R department.
There is huge responsibility now on the shoulders of the Scotland manager and his players to reach out a embrace a play-off spot, which in itself will unveil another huge obstacle.
It could be Russia or Croatia or France or Slovakia who await... but that is a headache for another day.
Courage, Scotland, do not stumble now.
Iceland, the upstarts who currently sit second in our group, must be swept aside - and with style.
Give us a reason to believe that we will sit at the game's great table next summer.
Three points now and the promise of more where that came from when the injuries heal and James McFadden and the rest are available. Surely that is not too much to ask?
And then when the ninth day of the ninth month in the ninth year comes to pass we will still be in the game.
Failing that, never mind the emergency services, has anyone got a number for the Samaritans?
"Tell them who you are and what you are about," they said. To be honest, there are days when I struggle to remember myself. Forty years toiling at the coalface of football journalism does that to you. But I have reason to believe that I have reached the heady heights of the title of Football Correspondent of BBC Scotland which gives me a renown, in Scottish terms, of somewhere between Alex Salmond and the deep fried Mars Bar.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~00~RS~)
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We have to go with two up top. I'd stick Miller on the bench and play Ross McCormack along with Steven Fletcher.
McGregor, Hutton, Caldwell, McManus, Naysmith, Brown, Fletcher, B Ferguson, Morrison, McCormack, S Fletcher.
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Simply put, if we don't beat Iceland, then we do not deserve to go to the world cup. The good news for us following Saturday's Dutch exhibition game is that they wont need anything from the game at Hampden in September as they will be well qualified by then. It is away in Norway I worry about.
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Chic
I NEVER thought I'd say this, but very good blog! Balanced, interesting, optimistic almost and, I think, accurately researched!
You're correct,we never had a ghost of a chance against Holland, but I do believe if we can reach SA then we'll have a chance of maqking serious history! No, I don't mean winning the thing, but we may reach the 2nd round!
By the way, I saw several interviews of tartan soldiers in Holland. ALL were from north of Perth. Is it true that the southerners just support the old firm, England and Ireland? Get out there on Wednesday, comrades, your country needs you!
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Ican't see anything but a Scotland victory.
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Saturday changed nothing, we were always going to have to beat Iceland to make it through.
The fact is, if we do not beat Iceland, Macedonia and Norway then we simply don't deserve to make it.
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As much as I'd love to see Scotland at the World Cup (rather because of the supporters quality and not football quality)... Scotland will do what they have always been doing best: failing heroically. There is a better chance of England winning the Worldcup than Scotland being in South Africa.
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Ah Chick, ever the optomist. I wasn't aware I could gain the services of the SAS with a call to 999.
During four games, we are capable of going unbeaten. The Iceland game is massive but win that and we've got every reason to think positively. Let's not sit around analysing other group tables trying to find reason for more doom and gloom. We need to win as many games as possible and see what happens come 999.
I think we're due a qualification sometime soon so let's do our whinging once we're statistically dead and burried
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Looking at that run in, it is not impossible to get 12 points. Iceland will be fine and we won't make the same mistake against Moldova. Norway away is probably the worst and then the Dutch will have already qualified by the time they come to hampden and we will take them.
I think we can take inspiration from the first 12 minutes in Amsterdam and build on that...
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For once Chick is optimistic!
"Iceland, the upstarts who currently sit second in our group, must be swept aside - and with style."
Totally agree. We need a good performance to restore the confidence and belief that served us so well in the last campaign. A clean sheet is also a must.
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I must say, the pun in this articles title would give the news of the world a run for it's money
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12 points? From Norway away, Netherlands home, Macedonia home and Iceland on Wednesday? Ha ha yes of course we should be confident - based on what we've seen so far that looks realistic.
But with a must win game only a couple of days away I like the positive article Chick. Now's not the time for negativity or an honest appraisal of what we've witnessed from Mr Burley's team to date. Lets get behind the boys and hope against hope. We are all Scotland fans at the end of the day.
Of course should it all go wrong I would expect your next article to pull no punches and I trust a top journalist like yourself Chick wouldn't take the easy option by laying the blame solely at the managers door. If we have gotten this wrong again surely we need to get stuck into the SFA blazers that have been overseeing our game for the last 12 years. Are those blazers Teflon coated? It doesn't matter how dire things get its never their fault. Our last shortlist of managerial candidates was an embarrasment and this cannot be allowed to happen again. If the FAI can find a way to finance a manager of the stature of Trapattoni then whats our excuse? We deserve better.
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Non qualification for the play offs would be a disaster. But, the repercussions for Scotland's ranking is even more alarming. We look set to fall out of the 2nd European pot and struggle to retain a 3rd berth. Ireland, Bulgaria and Switzerland are all moving ahead of us.
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I know this is not related to the original post but I want to apply for tickets for next world cup and the deadline is 31 March. I have send an email to FIFA two weeks ago but no reply.
Apparently, each person is allowed to apply for 4 TST. However, it is not clear if there is any restriction. I would like to sue my 4 places for TST (Team Series Ticket) for England to increase my chances. I am not sure that is ok. That is, you can buy one TST for england and another for brazil. my question si whether my application will not be considered if instead i apply for two TST-England
(Likewise, what if i am so lucky that i get both TST-Englnd? Can i return one fo them?)
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Nice blog Chick.
I would have to disagree slightly with yourself though as i think Scotland do still have a good chance of that 2nd spot and the playoff place as a result where it could well be a matchup between Scotland and Ireland but we shall wait for another day before discussing that possibilty lol
Iceland are not a quality team, in fact Holland are the only real talented team in the group and even they fall well short of being contenders for the World Cup crown in South Africa in my opinion. If Scvotland can win 3 in a row then get the Dutch at Hampden it could be an Ireland versus the Dutch moment for the Scottish when Ireland stunned all at Lansdowne well Jason McAteer stunned all! Why shouldnt Scotland be capable of this as well? I believe they can and i would love to see the Republic of Ireland and Scotland both in South Africa next year while Englands players are on "holiday again". We can all dream can't we! Lol
Just one thing... Kenny Miller? Why? Useless in my opinion! Scotland get rid now or pay the price with a severe lack of goals!
YNWA!
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I wish people would stop pinning their hopes on James McFadden... the team is more balanced without him... take away the out of depth guys.. Teale, Naysmith and Alexander.. we would have a fairly solid team able to compete..
McFadden has scored some fantastic goals but when you play like a child in the playground " Ma Baw " and shoot from everywhere and anywhere then occasionally some will end up flying in.. go with the younger guys and blood them in.. Fletcher, McCormack, Clarkson, Maloney when fit etc...
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"It could be Russia or Croatia or France or SLOVAKIA who await... but that is a headache for another day."
Does that mean you reckon Northern Ireland will finish top of their group?
You's can always join in with our party in South Africa!
GAWA
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The three players substituted at the Dutch game should be dropped: Miller, Alexander and Teale. Alexander especially. I'm not looking for a scapegoat, but he seems to spend more time on getting a new haircut and tatoos than practicing. I think Burley got it wrong with Alexander. There has got to be more depth in Scottish Football than to play him again. When he got a game under Walter Smith I was always worried watching him. Ian Murray? Alan Hutton? Andy Murray? Me? Anybody else?
And I've seen Miller botteling lately aswell. Bring Ilewelu back if he's fit. Because Steven Fletcher had missed a few sitters in the past few weeks.
Teale, wasn't getting the service from Barry Ferguson either. Ferguson is borderline for getting dropped too.
All in all though, after watching the Dutch game and gettting a feel for it, I can see Scotland dumping the dutch at hampden when the time comes. Scotland are nearly there. They can win it. The dutch are known to self destruct and when it gets down to it Scotland can beat them. I'd give it a bet with the odds.
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i hope for the best, but fear the worst...!
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er...
why the doom and gloom?
all you have to do is to finish 2nd (easy enough) and hope to have enough points to get you to the next round.
well, so far, you have enough. (add + pts to your current tally is an approximate way of calculating it. or, if you prefer, deduct 3 pts from every other team currently second).
you've got every chance of qualifying for the play offs.
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I watched the Holland/Scotland game and if Caldwell's goal had stood (as it should have done) then Scotland would have a chance of getting something from the game, Barry Ferguson seems overrated and always wants to be the main man, Darren Fletcher always plays well for Man Utd so it should be him, he also has more experience of the big matches, Kenny Miller requires too many chances to score,(there must be better Scottish strikers than him) where is the young talent coming through,
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This is Scotland we're talking about Chick. I'm not sure how much of a gambler you are, but I'd get your money on a draw tomorrow night and a defeat in Norway too.
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Can't believe my comment was removed. I only said well done Chick on not saying something about Rangers for once.
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Chic,
I am stunned. Was expecting the usual knee jerk, poorly researched nonsense from yourself, and instead we get a balanced, reasonably well written article, that could possibly be your best to date!
Have to agree that we did play well in places on saturday, which appears to have been overlooked by a lot of people, especially the 'Oh, Holland never got out of first gear' mob. Yeah, because teams intentionally play at 50% of their potential, don't they? Or is it just that until they discovered the pensioner masquerading as a right back, they couldn't break us down?
Having watched McCormack tear their full back a new one on several occasions, and with the lack of injuries that we suffered this time around (and ensuring that Kenny Miller never gets a one on one with the keeper again) I would argue that we could take the Dutch back at Hampden, whether they were already qualified or not. I saw enough on saturday to give me optimism for the future. Whether it's come too late to save this campaign is another matter, but watching Scotland play composed, passing football (as opposed to the 'Hot Potato' approach under previous managers) was a new experience for me, and hopefully one that will pay dividends in the future. Really, we're just one all round centre forward away from being a really good side, which hopefully is what Stephen Fletcher will develop into.
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While it's good to be optimistic and hopeful, a look at the "goals for" column in the group table shows the real problem facing Scotland. To win games, you need to score goals, and that just ain't been happening of late. Kenny Miller will run about all day, but as we saw against the Dutch he has a poor first touch and lacks confidence in front of goal - exactly what you would expect given his form for Rangers.
Whatever personnel Burley chooses, we must go for a postive formation and grab each game by the throat. If we don't make it, at least we won't have gone out with a whimper.
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To an extent, Burley's biggest problem is team fitness.
The difference between success and failure depend upon whether the few better quality players are fit, as we have zero strength, in depth.
The one thing that keeps sticking in my mind is...we all want qualification so much..is it worth brokering a deal with Kris Boyd ?
Sadly he is the one out-and-out goal scorer, and a threat to opposition defences. I totally agree one player can't be bigger than the team / nation.. but a 'shake hands, call it quits' deal could make a huge difference to our fortunes.
I feel Burley has done the best he can so far. I feel he still has 1 lesson to learn that all his predacessors picked up much more quickly.
You can't expect to win major key international games with 2nd / 3rd choice players. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet, and put players into the team who aren't playing every week, because they're abilities / experience makes up for it.
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Two things struck me about the game against Holland, a distinct lack of leadership from Ferguson our captain on the park who seemed uniquely anonymous for 90 minutes, and our inferior or non-existent tactics. As a manager I would regard the Dutch game as the one that could have galvanized our campaign but Burley was already making excuses before a ball was kicked. Ok he decided to play one up front and........ what was Miller's mission, if not to score could he not at least contrive to win set pieces, no one is asking him to dive but that defender's leg was coming in from a mile away. At 1.0 down nothing was lost we made a stupid mistake after playing quite well, why was Ferguson not organising our defense to make sure we did not make the same mistake with No 2??
Do we have any actual game tactics for the Iceland game, who cares about beautiful football we need a result and how we get it is not the issue? It's when your team is not made up of wonderful individuals you need your captain to step and drag the boys kicking and screaming across the line.
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I'm afraid the drinking scandal is much worse than first thought.....
http://thejaggythistle.blogspot.com/2009/04/barry-ferguson-and-allan-mcgregor.html
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The breach of discipline happened on the park not in the hotel, it would be nice if our manager had noticed that!
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To be quite honest i feel that even though we won and all ferguson should not even be in with a shout of starting when Darren Fletcher and Scott brown are fit, because brown and fletcher can both play attacking and defensive rolls with ferguson being in my view a very overated player. I also feel that strikers like Lee Miller should be in with more of a shout in the scotland squad with strikers like clarkson in there and kenny miller even though he once in a while scores a goal for scotland isnt consistant enough, with Lee Miller i think scotland should give him a run in a couple of games see how he does and decide on his international future then and not now when he has played one game coming on as a sub.
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Again a car crash blog which only attracts rubber-necking. And I do read it. Scotland has to take it place in the third tier of world football, particularly the European set-up. We have the ability to defend but have limited creative resources. The football against Iceland was better and more attractive but certainly not sexy. Learn from the Dutch, Spain, etc and try to achieve that level while accepting our limitations of small nations. I would rather we were recognised ass a football passing team with passion rather than doggedly defenders of kick and hope. Smith and McLeish got results with terrible football at least Burley is standing by his methods. When the previous encumbents tried to play attacking football it collapsed.
McGregor and Ferguson are not needed, by Scotland and probably not by Rangers either.
Quality
We don't get into tournaments based on the good behaviour of our fans but we might get out of them due to the behaviour of our players.
The World Cup is becoming more political than the G20 summit. We need the best teams there, and that should mean more play-offs against second rate Asian and South American teams. But we need to play football to progress.
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I would hope now that Chick Young is now in receipt of all the facts he re-assesses his opinion on Ferguson especially and McGregor.
During Sportsound on Wednesday, Chick was very defensive of his wee pal Barry, even when asked by Jim Traynor why Barry wasn't warming up with rest of the players during half time. Chick commented that this was not unusual!! This is frankly laughable with Chick then staing he would be checking that all subtitutes warmed up from now until the end of the season
Also Chick again with his no nonsense interviewing technique let George Burley off the hook by failing to ask the simple question? "Why did you change your mind with regards to these players?"
George Burley is a lucky man Scotland won and I wish him well but he must be stronger and stop second guessing himself.
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C'mon Scotland. Cut this Puritanical nonsense and reinstate Barry and McGregor. OK, the pair made a mistake, well, a couple of V-ery bad mistakes, but they're quality. And, Scotland doesn't have that much of it to go around in the first place. Especially, Ferguson, one the best, if not the best, Scottish player of the last 20 years IMHO.
AntonioSaucedo
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Don't worry lads - we'll get the Dutch back one day. I had a superb time in Amsterdam anyway, despite the result. I used this wee blog to get some ideas for what we could get up to when we were there - http://amsterdamcitybreaks.blogspot.com/- we will return one day!
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