Super_Scotlandfan

Seems like we can produce the occasional super talented player e.g. Fleeting, Little, Weir, Cuthbert and now hopefully Watson. But not produce the depth needed to get through rounds or even qualify for this World Cup. Should really have seen that depth come through recently, building on recent World Cup and Euro qualifications AND the recent availability to make half decent money as a professional in the UK. Seems like a different problem to the men’s national team. Although they’ve definitely underachieved based on the players we’ve had. Maybe this will change but I’m not convinced after seeing various poor youth national team results.

That’s alphabetical order… He’s actually best rated goalie on that site for expected goals saved.

Could be right about Dembele. Think him and his brother might end up playing for Ivory Coast which would be fair enough. Just think Steve Clarke is missing a trick if he is available , would be good to to have a pacy, dribbling winger in the squad. Even as an option in the last 10mins of games against tired players. It’ll hopefully be Doak in the future but would be good to have an option now.

Broken record on this forum but Gauld played the first game of the MLS season last night and apparently impressed too. Should be in the squad, particularly when Ryan Fraser is nowhere, Christie isn’t playing for the worst team in the EPL, Armstrong struggling for form/fitness for arguably the worst team and Turnbull not playing for Celtic.

Siriki Dembele started and impressed for Auxerre today. Looks like he’ll become a regular. Would be a good replacement for Ryan Fraser but don’t see it happening.

I’d have him in the squad. Looks quality and only 20.

McKenna out until April. Souttar unlikely to be back match fit too. Looks like it’ll be Porteous, Hendry and Hanley. Would be good if Liam Cooper was available too.

And only just turned 24. Looks like a top 10 EPL team will come in for him at the end of the season. Would definitely be our first pick centre back. But potentially injury prone like his brother?

Mat Ryan has a Scottish mum too. Would have been a decent replacement for Gordon. Souttar would definitely be in our squad too. Was being talked about being the best centre back in the Championship prior to the injury.

Came on in the 60th minute against a Serie B team, conceded a penalty and gifted another. Doubt we’ll see him getting into the starting 11 anytime soon. 1.15 onwards.

https://twitter.com/henshawanalysis/status/1517760180917727233?s=21&t=S9Epk8iK2Cu2tTl4SYlV7w For those who enjoy stats… Shows how much of a miss Harry Souttar is and how strong Scott McKenna is in the air. He’s not a great ball progressor though, so maybe can only be central centre back for us. Or a guy to bring off the bench to close out a game. Think we do need to find a left centre back that can do a similar job to Tierney, don’t think there’s anyone in the current squad that can. Means that there is a place for Kingsley or Targett as second choice LCB and a pretty big oversight from Clarke to not include a player that can replace Tierney in the first 11 in previous squads.

Shakhtar played a friendly against Olympiakos today and Dynamo Kyiv have organised friendlies from April-June. They also have players playing in European leagues. Can't see the game not going ahead in June.

Yes, they could pull a squad together with their foreign based players. They could field a much stronger team that the Czech C team we played last year. It's the circumstance that that makes forcing them to play unfair. But obviously they can't wait forever, I don't think we can wait until September.

I see that Finland were given a bye against Ukraine in the World Handball Championship Qualifying. The decision was made by the European Handball Federation rather than Ukraine asking to pull out. Handball might not mean much to us but it's a popular sport for a lot of Europe.

Russia are currently banned from all major international competitions (including the 2022 World Cup) by WADA, not just the Olympics. I have no idea why they weren’t being forced to compete as neutrals in this World Cup anyway. So yes, massive cop out.

Yeah, I think he’ll play McTominay there unless there’s injuries in midfield though.

Looks like Jack Hendry is out of Club Brugge’s best starting 11. He’s been on their bench the last 2 games. And was sent off in 2 of his previous 3 games.

Still think it’s unlikely that Hickey will be called up. He’s also much more comfortable at left back, so he’d be a 3rd left back rather than a right back for me.

Thought Gilmour played well, extremely difficult against the best team in the EPL. Hanley was really effective with what he’s good at. So strong in the air, making blocks, last ditch defending but gave away a clumsy penalty. Still think he’s our best choice as central centre back. Cooper might have challenged him but hasn’t played in weeks and will unlikely to be match sharp for Ukraine.

Siriki Dembele replaced him in the side and scored a last minute winner and apparently MOTM. Hopefully both are playing in the Premier League next season.

They have Boreham Wood in the FA Cup on the 3rd of March, surely they’ll rest Coleman for that. So hopefully some minutes before Ukraine. But he needs to displace Jonjoe Kenny as second choice first…!

Their central midfield was weak even though they won. Not sure if he’ll start but good to know he’s in the manager’s thoughts.

Dean Smith noted after the game that he’s looking forward to getting some important players back from injury and mentioned Gilmour first. Should be back next week.

Different type of player but I’d be in favour of dropping Fraser for Ryan Gauld. We don’t play wingers anyway. And Patterson is a better wing back.

Connor Gallagher called up by England.