bossman4

Was thinking the same and there is no doubt it's the Celtic affect. Last October only Robertson from last night started against Lithuania at Hampden and no Celtic players started that night. Also add in the emergence of guys like Philips and Fraser the change in the dynamic of the squad has been huge. My only concern is our entire defence and keeper being left footed.

If we won all 3 and finished on 20 points I's be amazed if we didnt get a playoff with the remaining 14 points. Montegro still on 7 points with 3 to play. The Wales/ROI group could be interesting if they all continue to cut each others throatd

Add to that the Naismith colum on BBC saying that the players know we need 6 points from these 2 games.

Playoff everytime, even just for the excitment of it. Depends how and who we lost to though. A dutch style hammering would not be good but a glorious defeat to an Italy or a Portugal wouldn't be shameful. Was looking today and Northern Ireland have a good chance of being a seeded team for it baring a couple of dodgy results (a draw or defeat away to a god awful Norway team). They would also maybe need Turkey to pip Iceland and Wales not to make a late surge as well, all highly possible.

If Strachan gets us to a playoff and we have a gallant loss to an Italy or Portugal it would be hard to see him not continuing.

I have wondered if he'll go with the 3 again in order to fit in both Tierney and Robertson. Regardless of formation this is GS' chance to bury the ghost of Georgia in some way. There really is no excuse to stand by the the players who've played well the last few games and are now not in form, as much as I like him Snoddy is the obvoius. The likes of Fraser, Philips, Ritchie should all be ahead of him for a start, we've also much better options from the bench this time than we did 2 years ago. I'm confident of 6 points this week not sure what will happen in October though.

Talk on twitter from some media that Robertson has left Hull's training camp in Portugal to complete his move to Liverpool.

I see Harry Souter has been heavily involved for Stoke in pre-season, been on their tour and started 2 games. Think he even managed to score a penalty in a shoot out. Stoke possibly involving him with a view to loaning him out to the championship?

Same thought crossed my mind as well, would certainly put him in the 'window' thats for sure. Dont agree with it but would defo rear its head.

BBC saying Hull wanting some young Liverpool winger as part of the deal.

Would certainly like to see us try that formation again. Plenty of options in defence with Russel Martin there. Hopefully Patterson will be fit by September. Plenty of options for the midfield 3 also, McArthur, Morrison, Snoddy, Fletcher. Dare I say it but I think C Martin would be more affective as part of a front 2.

Like others I'm hopefull that the tide is starting to turn again, mainly down the the fact the Strachan was forced into changing the team for a more attacking outlook. I actually thought we looked more of a threat at Wembley than we did on Saturday. We can win the last 4 games but for me much depends on how Strachan deals with the under performers like Snoddy and Anya. That was the biggest down fall in Georgia where he got to sentimental, I just hope he doesn't do that again. Will he stick with the 3 at the back for that game? Thought it worked well enough and we looked more dangerous going forward when Fraser came on. I would imagine Patterson will come into the right wing back postion of he does stick with it.

Said exactly the same last night about Slovakia, doubt we would have crumbled as much had he been there. I thought he was excellent, when he got booked that early I feared the worst but he controlled himself brilliantly for the rest of the game.

Yes that is happening in light of the recent incidents in Manchester and London. The Police reauest as far as I can tell was prior to these incidents and was out of concern for to much drinking time pre match.

I think he will, he would have started v Slovenia had he been fit. Was mentioned at the weekend he was in line to start. I think Snoddy could be in real danger of missing out.

I read the article this morning about the Police request. They appeared to offer no alternative and what also baffles me is they ask the SFA 3/4 weeks before the game when the fixture and KO time has been set since July 2015.

First goal crucial, this is the game Griffiths needs to get his goal. Team will be same as Slovenia match, with maybe Fraser on for Snoddy or Forrest, even by Strachans standards he wont revert back to type for this one.

Yeah there were about 3/4 changes from the Brazil game

There was a report last week or so ago about the 2000 or so England fans who have travel bans in place. Under the ban they can't stop them traveling to Scotland as you obviously don't need a passport, they were looking at asking them all to report to local police stations at 4pm or something. Not read anything about it since. I'd imagine that there will be an increase in checks in and around Hampden prior to kick off.

Suggestion on BBC he is injured which he picked up in 2nd leg of play off semit.

It is mentioned in the STV article above that Marshall is carrying an injury and Hamilton is there only as a back up to him.

He is, seems Strachan has sent him to that.

Burke going to the Toulon tournament. https://stv.tv/sport/football/1389285-gordon-strachan-explains-his-scotland-squad-selections/?utm_content=bufferb303f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Surprised at the number in the squad, considering there is a good chance it will be the same team that started v Slovenia. 4 goalkeepers, strange. Defence fairly bang on. 4 full back 4 centre half's. Message to Grant Hanley to get his club situation sorted. Forwards as well. 13 midfielders for what will be 5 positions.

Get it right up you