Magnum

As the title says, has anybody organised a bus from Vilamoura to the Stadium ? 10 of us staying in Vilamoura and have not looked at organising transport to the stadium yet.

Fair enough point about what UEFA want, but goal difference won't come into it. It is down to head to head results. If we beat Poland at Hampden then we would be ahead of them on the head to head, as we would have drawn away and won at home against them. Similarly, we are already in the same position with Ireland, and if we end up on the same points as them, then we would go ahead of them on the head to head.

Absolutely correct. I've said it on here before and, once again, Fletcher was terrible !! If he would take a touch and hold the ball up, rather than trying to flick it on, every time (unsuccessfully), he might get on better. He really appears to think he is better than he is. Pity he didn't put in the same performance or effort that Walters did for Ireland. However, saying that, I really don't think we currently have any player who can play that role successfully. Griffiths is, without doubt, a good goalscorer in the SPL but I'm not sure he could play the role he would be asked to do for Scotland, as a hold up man, leading the line. A definite area of concern.

Well, I'm only glad that Gordon Strachan sees him differently to you !

Flatters to deceive ! Often looks like he is going to do something good but then lets himself (and the team) down with his final delivery. Don't think he has the ability to break down top defenders. Might be able to do it against the minnows (although he couldn't do it against Qatar) but not the better teams.

I can only presume you were pished on Friday night ! He is quite clearly a great addition to our squad. He is constantly buzzing, looking for the ball and as soon as he makes a pass, he gets into a space to get it back. You can see he is an eager, confident player and those that do not see this, I can only assume, are basing their opinion on his ability on the fact that he was not born and bred in Scotland !!

Almost every time I watch him play For Aston Villa, he appears to play like this. He almost looks like a wee boy that doesn't know what he is meant to be doing, and has lost interest ! However, I honestly think he looks a different player when playing for Scotland. He still doesn't tackle very often and misplaces some passes, but he definetely looks more 'up for it' and his pace, with the ball at his feet, often takes us out of trouble and does give an attacking option. There's no doubt that Whittaker is a better defender, although his passing is often suspect, so it's a difficult choice !

Although I understand that we are not going to be able to pick specific seats, when the ticket sale opens, can those more familiar with Easter Road, please advise which is the most comfortable/best stand to try and get tickets in ?

I remember that exactly as you say, and have told the story several times. Over the years, I was beginning to think that I had maybe imagined that but thanks for that confirmation !!

As you know Snodgrass has been out with a long term injury, so he won't be included for Ireland, and please, what higher level has Forrest played at ?? - you're not seriously trying to say that Forrest playing infrequently in the Scottish Premier League, against Scottish Teams is a higher level than Ritchie playing every game for Bournemouth in the English Championship !

Oh me, blinkers ! I do appreciate that people see things differently, but he actually played okay in his first game and was then asked to play an unfamiliar role, hugging the right touchline, in the second game. There is not one serious pundit who would not say that, when allowed to play in his normal role at Bournemouth, he is outstanding ! He was placed fifth in the English Championship player of the year but to some people he is still not good enough, maybe because he wasn't born in Scotland ! No, I'm afraid every country now has players with tenuous links to pure nationality. We just have to use those rules to our advantage, as every other country does, and having Ritchie in our squad is an advantage.

Apparently another outstanding 'man of the match' display from Ritchie for Bournemouth today. Surely his current form will put an end to the doubters, who think he's not good enough for us. He seems to be a 'confidence' player and given his confidence and form, at the moment, he is a must for our squad !

Are we not getting a little bit arrogant, thinking that Quatar are not good enough opponents for us ? In the last International break, just over a week ago, they beat both Algeria and Slovenia, both 1-0, neither of whom would be walkovers for us. In the last year they beat Australia (1-0) and Estonia (3-0), so I think they are a lot better than some people on here are giving them credit for. I think they may actually be exactly the type of opposition we want in a warm up for the Ireland game !

Aye, or even better at a neutral venue, where we would have the bigger support. Still, would really feel for those that have already booked, especially given the difficulty and cost of getting there. Just a thought - Is this real, or just another April Fools joke ?

God, that's a bit of a worry for all those already booked ! If UEFA do take serious sanctions, I don't suppose it's beyond the realms of possibility that they could order them to play it at a neutral venue ?

What I was trying to point out is that other nations recognised striker actually score goals, whereas ours doesn't, so, in that respect, comparing them is relevant ! I see you have almost 25,000 postings on here so, let's be honest, you must have read the large amount of postings from people that, for some reason, can't see past Steven Fletcher, to the point of adoring him ! However, I do agree that we don't have another obvious top quality alternative. However, in the vein of 'horses for courses' although I don't think that Rhodes has the pace or quality for an International striker against the top nations, I'd be more confident of him putting the ball in the net, when he gets a clear chance, when we are producing a lot of chances against the lesser teams, like Gibraltar, than I would be of Fletcher putting it away !

I wouldn't pay much attention to anything that Craig Brown says now. He's old and totally out of date. I know a young guy that is with Aberdeen under 16s. He said that, a wee while back, they had a training session with Craig Brown, and it was atrocious and the worst they had ever had, as he was just so out of date !!! Means well but his thoughts on coaching and young players are not worth much now.

Missed glorious chances against Germany and Ireland because he doesn't have a right foot. Simply just not good enough for a Professional Footballer, that he is basically scared to try and use his right foot, let alone an 'International Striker'. I just wish the people that adore Steven Fletcher would wake up and look at what real International Strikers, with other nations, produce ! To be fair, he has flashes of good link up play but, I'm sorry, I want more than the occasional good link up play from a striker. I want him to score goals, when he has gilt edged chances laid before him !!!

I've got to totally agree. I do wonder, sometimes, if some of the people posting on here have ever actually played the game. Let's look at this - It was his first game, so he would be nervous, as anybody would be. However, he looked lively, and every time he played a ball, he made a burst to get into space, to get it back again. He was keen to get involved (unlike some players tonight) and looked eager to get a shot in, albeit unsuccessfully tonight. Definetely worth another run out. I just find it amazing that people are slagging him off, whilst praising Steven Fletcher, our leading the line striker who has not scored a goal in how many games ??? Beggars belief ! Possibly just being biased because, in some people's eyes, he's English and should't be there. By being there, he's made a declaration that he wants to play for Scotland, and that's good enough for me !

As said before, his father has put across a very balanced and fair, but firm, view of the position. I would like to see Sbragia offer the Harper family the same courtesy. To be fair to him, I would like to think that he is thinking that the squad he has picked is the best one to get us to the finals, and he will then have Harper into the squad for the finals, where he can really show off his talents. Whether or not that is the case, he should get on the phone, immediately, to Jack Harper (if he hasn't already done so), and fully explain his decision, and give the boy (although he's really a man now), and his family, some reassurances.

We're going Troon to Larne and just booked that a few days ago. Have you looked at that route ?

I was glad to see, while watching the League Cup Final, that the pitch seems to have improved considerably since the semi finals. I was concerned that if the pitch was still that bad it would hamper our ability to pass Gibraltar off the park. It was actually looking fairly good, so sweat over !!

I think it will be more than most people expect. We were let down by our usual mini bus provider and have not been able to get another one for hire in or around Aberdeen, on the day of the Gibraltar game. That suggests to me that there will be the usual big turnout from people travelling from North East, which will be replicated in other parts of the country.

That was, without doubt, the worst I have seen Aberdeen play all season, and I've had better nights at the Dentist ! There was practically no passing football, it was just lump the ball down the park. The pitch is terrible, with the ball bobbling all over the place, which probably explains why they hardly passed it well. Goodwillie was, once again, an absolute embarrassment for a striker. He has no touch, no pace and is like a little boy throwing a tantrum and stomping his feet because he can't do anything right. Shankland, sitting on the bench, must wonder what he's got to do to be given a run out, when he sees how bad Goodwillie is ! Wish I had spent the £24 admission on drink and watched it on the telly in the pub !!!!

Our group normally travel in a self drive mini bus but have been let down by our normal supplier (no fault of his), who does not have a bus available for us on the day of the Gibraltar game. I have been having no success in getting one anywhere else (perhaps suggests a bigger support travelling that some think !). I know it's a long shot but does anybody know where there is one available for hire on that day? Travelling from Inverurie/Aberdeen area. Thanks