HighlandScot

Israel (with FIFA ranking 87!) were made to look good by a team laying off them with no man-marking and no pressing. I repeatedly watched McTominay and McGregor off the ball, marking nobody then rushing to challenge the player receiving the pass, by which time it is far too late. If everyone marks someone it bottles up the space, making it very difficult for the player on the ball. If nobody is marked, the player on the ball has multiple options. Israel looked like they had an extra man every time they had the ball. That is all down to poor management.

In previous matches against Israel their right wing back Dasa was causing all sorts of problems. I am wondering what or even if Clark has a plan to counter the threat. I would play Fraser wide left. With the addition of Robertson overlapping, and the occasional surges forward by Tierney, that should keep Dasa sufficiently pinned back to not cause too much damage.

It is great to finally have a winning run, but those results mask poor performances with abysmal ball retention. The Czechs bossed possession and should have won comfortably.

Yes I totally agree. McGregor looks jaded. Armstrong can run at them.

An overall great performance, but a nail biter after they scored their second. When trying to manage the game it seemed lunacy to bring off Armstrong and put on Phillips. I have no idea what Phillips brings to the squad.

A few weeks ago I suggested Paterson as a far better striker option than Naismith... And I was ridiculed... I will concede Naismith is playing quite well at club level, but at best is a #10 and never a striker... McLeish has to be looking at Paterson up front... His last 2 Cardiff goals were both opportunistic strikes on the deck... But he is great in the air which is dead handy not only in attack, but also defense... Scotland are far too suspect to set pieces at the back, and Paterson could certainly help sort that out...

In the circumstances the team more or less picks itself. At least Armstrong is back. But why persist with Naismith? He is not the future. Ryan Christie is worth a run.

That is a bit harsh on Russell. O'Donnell is a good player, but maybe not quite international class. Naismith is rubbish.

Since McLeish said he wants to take the game to them, both Forrest and Armstrong should be playing. As a long-time die hard Scotland supporter I hope Naismith plays well, but he is never a striker.

Callum Paterson up front is a far better option than Naismith. Paterson is a physical presence excellent in the air at both ends of the pitch.

Based on past performances Phillips inclusion is a joke. If anything he is a wide man, but definitely not a striker. For his size he is hopeless in the air, and when presented with a chance on the ground has a habit of blazing wildly over the bar. His "movement" when the opposition have possession is pathetic, ambling about merely going through the motions. Griffiths and McBurnie will always work their socks off (in McBurney's case literally!) to pressure opposing defenders. As a prior poster mentioned Phillips must be fantastic in training for Strachan, Mackay and now McLeish to be deploying him as striker. Otherwise, it looks a really good team!

McLeish was correct to lament first half lack of pressing, plus inability to pick up the runner for their goal. However he failed to take responsibility for former by fielding a defensive line-up with 3 central defenders protected by 2 holding midfielders which handed the midfield possession to Costa Rica. In speculating the team, most fans picked either McTominay or MacDonald in a holding role, but virtually nobody picked both! Ritchie and Cairney spent most of their time chasing, and I felt especially sorry for latter as he did not get the opportunity to show his skill in attack. McBurnie was pressing all right, but his effort was in vain as he was isolated with nobody backing him up, and it was easy for their defenders to pass around him. The second half was much better with the high energy and forward running of Armstrong and McGregor. As for playing a back 3, I do not think this is a good idea for Scotland as it implies 3 good central defenders and two wing-backs. Central defense is a problem area for us, and though Robertson (and Kierney when fit) are great wingbacks on the left, Patterson is not at the same level on the right. Patterson is a good player who deserves his place, but on the right it would be much better to also have Forrest in a more forward position running at defenses. Man marking seems to have gone out of fashion, but with 3 central defenders and 2 holding midfielders there is no excuse for not picking up the runner. So I think the formation was wrong, especially in the first half. As for personnel MacDonald looks too slow for international football. McTominay did not impress either, but he is young and possesses great physical attributes. Cairney had a poor game, but is a great talent and I hope he gets another chance. Matt Ritchie is not my favorite, as he cannot beat a man and is also too slow for international football. As for Matt Phillips the less said the better - There is no way he is a striker, plus he fails to put any pressure on defenders.

Opinions vary as to preferred line-up, though it is unanimous nobody wants Phillips who was pathetic in prior appearances. It was disappointing to see him even in the squad, and if Eck wants to get the Tartan Army onside he cannot afford a passenger. Costa Rica are a good settled side with many caps, and Scotland has to play at a high tempo to unsettle them. In spite of lack of playing time I would like to see Armstrong for his strong running. Also Cairney has to start. Apart from that anyone but Phillips!

When the SFA interview the next Scottish manager candidate, the first question should be, "Will you select Matt Phillips?" If the answer is not a categorical "No", the interview should immediately terminate. In response to the poster above who thinks Phillips worked hard against Netherlands, I watched him off the ball and he put absolutely no pressure on their defence, as opposed to Griffiths who presses hard from the front. Phillips is absolutely useless.

Philips should NEVER again be anywhere near a Scotland squad, regardless of the manager. He cannot control the ball. He cannot head the ball. He does absolutely no work, puts no pressure on the defence.

No!

It was great to win and keep the dream alive, but I agree we are winning in spite of Strachan and not because of him. Without the influence of Brown and strong running of Armstrong the midfield is one dimensional and static . In the first half we had an extra man, but still Griffiths was isolated. For me McGregor and McGinn should have started. I could not see the point of taking off Forrest when we needed width, and he is more dangerous late when the game stretches. Then he brings Tierney off and brings on Anya who is far less of a threat than Forrest. Fletcher, Bannon, Phillips, Anya and MacArthur are not international class. McGregor and McGinn have still to prove themselves at that level, but have the potential to step up. Plus they have far more dig and goal threat than those who started today.

http://www.vipleague.se/football/482916/1/lithuania-vs-scotland-live-stream-online.html

Griffiths for me any day of the week. I was obviously delighted to see Martin score but it had more to do with a moment of genius from Armstrong as opposed to an inspired substitution by Strachan. Not to mention the divot! I am hoping this does not guarantee Martin a start versus England as he lacks mobility and pace, and can barely jump for high balls. He has been repeatedly poor for Scotland and especially against Canada when nothing stuck to him. He is especially not suited to the lone striker role if the opposing defence plays a high line. Griffiths plays off the shoulder of last defender and is constantly running the channels into dangerous positions, has a fantastic shot, is a deal-ball expert, and not bad in the air for his height. I would also give corners to Griffiths as when he occasionally takes them for Celtic they come in like missiles with a lot of pace and bend.

Finally, with the pressure on, Strachan has selected a decent side! Yes Snodgrass has been poor but we all know his ability and he owes us a performance. Burke has shown glimpses of potential with his pace and powerful but he is not yet ready. Get in tae them!

I normally follow this board and hardly ever post. But I am so p***ed off with Strachan selecting Chris Martin. He is far too slow for international football. We might get away with it today but Griffiths and Fletcher are miles ahead in ability. Griffiths has to start on Tuesday and against England.

Bridcutt is the epitome of a one-dimensional player, master of the sideways pass, cannot take a man on, cannot score from distance. Ok maybe some people think that is all that is required of a holding midfielder but we need someone with more to his game and are in big trouble if we are looking to Bridcutt. My Sunderland mates tell me he vied with Altidore as worst signing of recent seasons. I was disgusted to see him in the squad even before that horror "tackle".

I completely agree with Jagtag that Bannon is over-rated. After initially breaking in at Villa he was subsequently overlooked. And he was not first pick at Crystal Palace. For Scotland he has shown glimpses but is not a dominant player. His set-pieces are poor, generally floated rather than whipped. Plus like Jagtag I was screaming for him to be nowhere near the penalty against Croatia. Luckily Naismith was clever enough to anticipate what happened. I would have any of Dorrans, Armstrong, Arfield, Cairney ahead of Bannon.

WBA reportedly interested in Darren Fletcher (Press&Journal)

Gordon McQueen is no hypocrite but one of the best and most patriotic defenders to pull on a Scotland shirt. I am in complete agreement with him. McGeady and McCarthy were both born in Glasgow and had the advantage of being schooled and coached there. McGeady was mentored and heavily influenced by Tommy Burns, and McCarthy benefited from the Hamilton youth academy. They were nurtured by the Scottish system and their response was to reject it. At best this displays lack of gratitude and at worst treason. The grandfather rule is a complete piece of nonsense that dilutes the concept of playing for a country.