Caledonian Craig

Main thing is we still won. I think the last time we lost a game we maybe should have expected a win from was Georgia (A) when Shankland scored a late equaliser in the Euro 24 qualifiers.

I fly out later today so here is my take on things. In recent years we have shown ourselves to be accomplished at getting wins against lesser sides we are expected to beat. That should put us in good stead against Haiti. We have to carry on that good run as a win really is a must. I am not taking anything for granted and for me any win will do. Set up correctly too and play well and we should get the job done. Of course the Morocco and Brazil are much tougher games but we need to remind ourselves we have shown we can dig out wins against teams seeded/ranked higher than us. When I say that I think of Spain, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Croatia and Poland. For us to get results against Morocco and/or Brazil our defence is key as is our midfield. Can we do it (finally) on the big stage I hope so but it is also important we are competitive and actively seeking goals and do not go out with a whimper. I am looking forward to this immensely.

The good thing is we have options. Against Haiti we will play 4-4-2 but think we will switch to either 4-5-1 or 5-4-1 for the matches against Morocco and Brazil. For Haiti match I think two questions remain over the central defensive pairing and who plays on the left side of midfield. As the Haiti look to have big muscular attack with a bit of pace I think the best partnership to counter that in defence would be Hanley who won't be pushed around and Henry who has good pace. However, it's maybe feasible that McKenna starts as he was rested yesterday. I would start with McGinn in midfield as he has great upper body strength which will help counter the physicality of the Haiti team plus he offers more of a goal threat than Christie. My side:- Gordon Hickey. Hanley. Hendry. Robertson Gannon-Doak. McTominay. Ferguson. McGinn Shankland. Adams

It's more down to supporters acceptance. We probably were all in acceptance of how crap we were back then so far less argument to be had. Now we are back qualifying for major tournaments and a lot are delighted with that but some are not happy with Clarke hence arguments.

Criticism I can hack if people move on but ffs this campaign of trash talking is not mere mild criticism as can be seen by your thread which has been on the go now for how many years? I have criticised but can and have moved on whilst some people refuse to let it lie. It's like a wound that they must keep picking at

Much sooner be there than not like in 2022, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002 and 2000. Then again do a portion of our fans merit it if all the do is moan and trash talk? Maybe better off not bothering.

Okay I will rephrase in comparison. We were horseshit back then and never really threatened even the play-offs now we qualify regularly. I cannot recall such hoo-hahs over squad selections, squad members left out or included and manufactured BS under previous managers. The normal assumptions were the manager and team were crap so a lot was put down to that. I tell you the nasty trash talking here on verge of our first World Cup in 28 years is souring the whole occasion for me it really is. Fucking annoying and depressing.

Absolutely. But what pisses me off is the reaction on here is like that of that they want the decision to fail so it gives them more ammo. If that is not the reason then why not just try getting behind the manager who dragged us from the gutters back up to a team back in the big time. Think back to what went before and our skipper and goalkeeper with Neddish behaviour on the bench like ten-year-old schoolchildren giving it V signs. Heck our manager then (who failed) got nowhere near the stick Clarke is getting now. I'll await an explanation as to why that is.

If there's an injury or tactical change likeliest players to be used will be Kenny McLean or Findlay Curtis.

And neither would Miller have.

Precisely. And if the trash talking keyboard warriors on here we're to talk about Clarke like that to McGinn and McTominay they'd be told to piss right off.

Spot on But hey ho some are desperate for another stick to beat Clarke with.

Haiti are on a par with Curacao so feel we should be starting with Dykes and Shankland.

One to keep an eye on us Ross Stewart. He failed a fitness test for the Curacao match after he said 'he felt something in his knee'. He will be assessed in the first training sessions in the States.

I mean that in terms of this fallacy that we couldn't call up a replacement. We could. Of course if we lose any of them that's us buggered.