posted Sep 10, 2007

I have to say McCulloch didn't play so well on Saturday, but he works hard and can hit dangerous digs from outside the box. Also, the tactics were long balls to him to hold on the left then swinging the ball to the right for teale to get crosses in. We did this on 3 or 4 occasions but Teale failed to get any decent crosses in.

I actually think this would be our best line up on Wednesday purely because McCulloch can play the channels better than O'Conner.

Gordon
Hutton - Weir - McManus - McEveley (unfortunately not Naysmith)
Caldwell
Fletcher - Brown - Ferguson - McFadden
McCulloch

Forget all the conjectures, we need to beat Ukraine, Georgia and then Italy to qualify. Hopefully Ukraine will now be desparate for points against Italy though and we might just need the draw in the final game.

Mon the Scots!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

k, maybe i was mistaken donsmad, think it may have been teal, sorry bout that, feeling pretty shamed lol
but even if thats the case, i dint think teal done to well on saturday, he kept taking the ball up the line n was cornered each time, it took fletcher to come in n rescue him!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

"Or is this just another excuse for fans to go out and get drunk, only to wallow in self-pity when our national side inevitably falls at the final hurdle?"

Inevitably? Sounds like you're wallowing already.

If we don't qualify from this campaign I will personally still be happy with the progress we have made. Pride has been restored and we are back to being tough team to beat. This is also a particularly tough group with both the World Cup finalists in it.

If we play to our strengths and work hard, yes we can qualify. And if we don't will I cry? No, I'll be proud of a good campaign and resurgent national side. Come on Scotland!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

scotland now hav the makings of a solid team with Gordon in goal, Fletcher Ferguson and brown in midfield, and a goal scorer (kris boyd), which has been sadly lacking since the days of ally mcCoist. A result with France is possible, and a point would be a great result for us. We just have to make sure we capitalise on it with following up the results against ukraine

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

Hartley in for Teale and anyone (including reserve keeper) ahead of McCulloch.

Scotland may as well approach the match with a nothing-to-lose attitude as I think they have done enough in the group not to worry too much about this result.

We are in a great position and this match will not determine the final outcome of the group with the rest of the teams in contention still to play eachother.

Anyway, exciting times to be still in it at this late stage.....

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

frankly, i dont think so. When you look at the teams, one would realise that one has more quality and experience. I wish scotland well but i honestly dont think they have a chance.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

------------------gordon-----------------------
---hutton---weir----mcmanus--------mceveley---
---------fletcher--ferguson--brown----------
--mcfadden--------------------------maloney----
-----------------beattie----------------------

i really hope big eck plays this team or a team somewhere along these lines. if not beattie then either boyd or o'connor

its just the wide positions that scotland opt for age and experience eg teale and mcculloch, even tho they are both average players and maloney and mcfadden are much better and younger etc but they dont have the experience and they dont defend aswell as mcculloch or teale.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

------------------gordon-----------------------
---hutton---weir----mcmanus--------mceveley---
---------fletcher--ferguson--brown----------
--mcfadden--------------------------maloney----
-----------------beattie----------------------

__________________________________________________

Only change Id make to that is O'Connor for Beattie. Beattie is decent but cant get shrugged off the ball too easily and falls over alot due to his physique - ie he's too skinny lol

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

I think that Scotland have enough to get a poitn from this game. At Hampden we're a match for anyone and if we can bury Italy and Ukraine there I feel we can do it!

Especially wi that smug arrogant rat Henry watching from the sidelines ... ha ha ....

VIVE L'ECOSSE!!!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Sep 10, 2007

To be honest I think the commenst about pride being restored are true, but it would be nice if they could somehow finish the job off.

The good news if we can finish 3rd is the improvement in our standing when the draw for the World Cup qualifying comes around.

add comment | complain about this comment