Magnum

Although I have a pretty low opinion of Griffiths, as a person (not a player), it really has to be 'horses for courses'. Given the standard of opposition against Nth Ireland and, more importantly, Gibraltar, I feel that in the form he is currently in, he would score goals against them. He is a confidence player and he certainly has that at the moment ! I remember when he came on in Luxembourg, he had the confidence to, with his very first touch of the ball, stick it through the defenders legs. He is capable of doing those sort of things against that standard of opposition. I'm not saying he would do the same against Germany and Poland but they're not the issue at the moment

A lot of Journalists are just simply lazy. I wouldn't assume anything, until they print a quote from a named source/SFA etc.

I know the first line of the story says 'home friendly', but it's possible that the Journalist may just be assuming this. The quote from Quatar doesn't say the game will be in Scotland. If they are having a training camp in England, and playing Northern Ireland there, is it not a possibility that they will play us there as well ? That way, they could easily play in a smaller Stadium, and I'm sure we would have a good travelling support, as we all love a day out in a beer garden in England, in the summer sunshine !!! - I'm not saying that's what it will be, but a possibility !

Rather call him up for these games, as I would be a lot lot less concerned about playing him against Northern Ireland and Gibraltar, and seeing how he does, rather than giving him a few more months, calling him up for the bigger games against Poland and Germany - and he flops !! No, these games are the ideal ones to try him in so, given we have no prolific scorers at the moment, give him a try.

Absolutely ! We're not exactly blessed with other prolific goal scoring forwards, at the moment. Scoring goals is a confidence thing so if Watt's in form, at the moment (and he certainly seems to be), get him in the squad for these upcoming games. I heard Gordon Strachan, on off the ball on Saturday, saying that most teams are so well organised defensively now, that he looks for players that can go passed people. Given that Watt has pace and is two footed, get him in and see what he can do. Having said all that, I understand that, previously, he has a bad attitude, although he may have 'matured' a bit and got his attitude sorted out.

There is no doubt that Fyvie has football ability and reads the game very well (or he did when with Aberdeen). However, it is not a surprise to me that he didn't make it in England, because he is simply far too slow ! At Pittodrie, he never went past an opposition player and you could see that he knew he wasn't fast enough to do this, so always turned to the side or back. I once made a point of counting how many times he actually went past an opposition player, with the ball at his feet, and it was just once in the whole game. A shame really, as he has ability but doesn't have the necessary athleticism.

My concern about Hampden, at the moment, is the absolute state of the pitch ! I know the Gibraltar game is not until March but if it's not going to be much better by then, we should consider playing it elsewhere, even Murrayfield, which has a much better new surface, with this combined grass and plastic woven through it (I believe). It really is not suitable to play good football on. You could see why the Celtic V Rangers game was really a bit of a kick and rush affair, with little or no good passing on display. I'm pretty sure that if the pitch had been in a good condition then the score would have been much greater in Celtic's favour (and I've no allegiance to either team). The last thing I want to see is us struggling to pass our way through Gibraltar, and have to resort to route one football, which will play into their hands !!

Are you sure that's right ? - and I'm not saying it isn't. It's just that I was not aware of QP getting any money at all from Dundee Utd for Robertson. I remember reading an article, some time ago, in which QP praised Aberdeen for their dealings in giving them some money for Shankland, whilst at the same time criticising Dundee Utd, saying they had refused to give them anything, hiding behind the rules that said they did not have to give anything to QP, as they were an 'Amateur Club'. As I said, I'm not saying what you have said is wrong but just that it is not what I read, a short time after he had moved to Dundee Utd.

I had argued, on here, that Martin should be given a chance, based on the fact that he is the top scorer in the English Championship. I now have to be honest and say he has been given a chance but is, sadly, not good, or mobile, enough for International Football. I suppose, with Derby, he gets a lot of chances inside the box, whereas with us, he doesn't get the same goal opportunities, so has to drop deeper and hold up the ball, and bring others into play. However, what I saw was someone who too often couldn't get to the pace of the game and threw himself to the deck too often. His performances have disappointed me, as I really thought he might do okay. However, hands up, the reality is that he is not good enough to make any real impact as a lone striker in the formation that we are playing. The scary thing is however - Who Is ??

Grimmer is no longer a youngster and if he was going to make it at a decent level, he would have done it by now. I haven't seen him playing recently, but if he can't get a game for Fulham, in the Championship, and has to drop down to the level of Shrewsbury, then I can't see how he will ever be good enough to play for Scotland at full level.

Don't want to go on about this but I've said it, so many times before. You simply can't be a top quality striker if your right foot is only for standing on. Again, last night, in the first half, he had a glorious opportunity, when the ball was played across the 6 yard box into his path, on his right foot. I honestly would have expected my 15 year old to put it away, but instead of simply side footing it into the net with his right foot, he tried to flick it with the outside of his left, and more or less completely missed the ball. Simply not good enough and tarnishes the rest of the good play he does, at times.

Yes, agreed. Wind it in a bit guys. I'm not comfortable with this over confidence and hope that it's just a bit of a 'wind up' on the part of those making it. The reality is that we probably do have the stronger squad, but, although we seem to be on the 'slag off McGeady' mission, we would have to admit that he would have been a certain starter for us if he had opted for Scotland. He will be the top 'flair' player on the pitch and the most likely to do something different and create something or score a 'wonder' goal. Let's hope he has an off night, as he often does, in which case I think we will win, but let's not get carried away until the 90 minutes are up, and show a bit of respect to Ireland, as we would want them to do to us.

I don't support boycotting the Gibraltar game, as we really need a big support to intimidate them and push us to a big victory, as Poland and Ireland have done against them. I know that the goals scored against them are not going to count in goal difference, at the end of the group, but we really need to put down a message about how we can dismantle teams like them, as the others have done. As daft as it may seem, the England game is not the most important, in the large scale of things. It will probably end up being a training exercise, with a lot of call offs and numerous substitutions, and no great atmosphere.

I'm pretty sure that there will be a very poor crowd. Out of our group, who go to all games, home and away, of normally between 10-14, there are only 2 who are going to the England game ! However, I don't support boycotting the Gibraltar game, as we really need a big support to intimidate them and push us to a big victory, as Poland and Ireland have done against them. I know that the goals scored against them are not going to count in goal difference, at the end of the group, but we really need to put down a message about how we can dismantle teams like them, as the others have done. As daft as it may seem, the England game is not the most important, in the large scale of things. It will probably end up being a training exercise, with a lot of call offs and numerous substitutions, and no great atmosphere.

No, absolutely not please. We do not want to give these idiots, like those that sang pro IRA songs and disrespected the minute's silence, today at Pittodrie, another platform to polute the air with their tripe. I don't mean the genuine supporters from Ireland, I mean these idiots that sing about things and people like Bobby Sands, and probably don't have a clue about who he was or what he did/believed (rightly or wrongly), or have never even been to Ireland. Please let's not give them an opportunity to make any political mileage out of this, and just concentrate on a football match between two proud nations who have a genuine infinity between each other !

Bardsley went off injured, after 9 minutes, today, so looks likely to be out for Friday !

'His goals aside'. Sorry, but that is the most important aspect of a striker. If he puts the ball in the net, I'm not bothered about how hard he works, if others are doing the leg work. I suppose Gerd Muller wasn't good enough because all he did in a game was put the ball in the net. Horses for courses please !

I saw that Coleman didn't start, and wasn't on the bench, for Everton tonight. I can't find anything about him being injured, but does anyone know different ?

Perfect example. No better example of great small midfield players than Xavi or Iniesta. Bannan has the same build and probably touch that they have. However, how many fancy Hollywood passes do either of then play - virtually none at all ! They keep their passes simple (usually short) and make sure that they find their destination, and then get into a space to get the ball back again (rather than admiring their pass). This was exactly my point yesterday, that if Bannan is to become a great player and have a role for Scotland, or an EPL club, he has to take a leaf out of their book, keep it simple and stop playing unsuccessful Hollywood passes. Just better decision making please !

No, I was not comparing the players, what I was saying was that Bannan's decision making, as when to make a simple pass, or hold the ball etc had to improve, much like McFadden's decision making improved, making him a much better player.

If you think that, you really are kidding yourself, or watching a different game. If he's that good, why did Villa allow him to leave, and now Crystal Palace have allowed him to leave ? They can't all be wrong, or are they talking nonsense as well ? It's all very well him doing something good, or even outstanding, on the ball, but it's all to no avail if he then gives it away with his final touch or pass. McFadden was the same when he first played, but, with maturity, he learned when to hold onto the ball, when to go past someone, and when to pass it, and developed into the impact player that we loved. Bannan needs to do the same.

If fit, he's got to start. Ireland will be very wary of giving him too much space, as they are well aware of what he can do, if given space to run in. If they mark him tightly and don't give him too much space, that would likely mean that Coleman, who creates a lot of problems overlapping (and scoring) will not be getting forward as much as he would normally do, and that's got to be a positive for us !

I think that's probably correct and he can 'pick a pass' - but only at times. He often spoils his good vision by then trying to play a Hollywood pass, and gives the ball away. He is good, but only in patches, and I'm afraid he gives the ball away far too often, which just undoes his good work. We are now playing a game where we are keeping possession for lengthy periods, so can't afford someone that is going to play one good pass, them a bad one, over and over again. IMO if he stopped trying to play some stupid Hollywood passes, then he might have a better chance of getting a start with us - and also maybe with his club team, as they must be equally frustrated by his inconsistency !

Yes, absolutely ! To be fair to him, his work rate has improved (at times), however, as I've said before (probably too often for those around me at the games), it is absolutely unbelievable that a professional footballer who cost that much and is paid that much, can only kick the ball with one foot. He had opportunities against Georgia, and actually had one in Germany as well, that fell on his right foot. Rather than have efforts on his right, he had to wheel around to get the ball onto his left, and the opportunity was lost. As a kid, my dad got me to practice for hours kicking a ball against a wall with my then bad foot, until I could use it, to a reasonable extent. Surely, he should have done the same, and could still do now at training ! Yes, Chris Martin looks heavy round the hips but you can't get away from the fact that he is brave, strong and bullies defenders. He scored again yesterday and is currently the TOP SCORER in the English Championship, on 10 goals. If that doesn't justify a place, or at least a decent run against Ireland, who will play the same way as most of the teams he plays against every week, I don't know what does ! I note the above post from Robroysboy, in which he says, about Fletcher, 'I am sure he will get a goal soon'. That may well be right and I really hope so. However, this is a game that we must score goals in and we can't hope that a forward eventually scores. We have to go with someone that is currently in the knack of scoring regularly - and whether you like the way he looks fitness wise etc, Chris Martin is that man, at the moment !!

I heard it and Cosgrove gave it a decent plug, saying that it stated it was purile humour, which, he said, their programme was about and they liked. Well done for your efforts, which should be supported. After all, it's the price of a pint ! I've just ordered one.