er yir macaroon
-
Posts
4,094 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
3
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Tartan Army Message Board News
Media Demo
Posts posted by er yir macaroon
-
-
Frustrating to think about in fact that we have so much decent midfield cover - at least two midfields worth - with Adam, Anya, Bannan, Brown, Dorrans, D. Fletcher, Maloney, McArthur, Morrison and Naismith.
Also three experienced international keepers when obviously only one can play at a time.
Yet, in defence and up front there is absolutely no cover at all (except perhaps at right back with Whittaker and Bardsley.)
This has been the situation for years now, this abundance of quality midfielders and lack of decent players in other positions, even going back to the great team we had who almost qualified for Euro 2008. It's strange and also quite frustrating that our decent players shouldn't be more evenly spread between different positions.
Another unlucky phenomenon (along with the bad draws we get) or is there another reason why we should produce so many quality midfielders in comparison to attackers and defenders?
I would say genetics is to blame for your last point. Midfielders don't need to be physical freaks, unlike other positions. We have a lot of good midfielders all on a similar level, but no great ones. Snodgrass is the one most likely to do something out of the ordinary, all due respect to Maloney for his wee bit of magic the other night. For me, Gauld, Macleod and Allan have a potential to make a difference in time, but not before the Euros. I know I'll get pelters for the last one, but let's wait and see.
-
He's had some personal problems in the last few years, but now seems to be a more frequent starter than Morrison in the EPL. I was a bit surprised Strachan didn't bring him on in the friendly. Personally I think he has great ability but I'm not sure of his defensive capabilities. Would he be a like for like replacement for one of the two DMs or one of the front three? If he's still in the WBA first 11 by March, should he get his chance?
-
I think most people on here assume he's about 30. Given that Martin is quite light weight, I shudder to think where we'd be without him.
-
It would have been good to mix it up a bit and put Anya on the right for a while. He tends to get to the bye line and want to put it onto his right foot. We should be looking at getting some early, accurate balls across the face of goal now and again.
-
The Ireland game was not normal, it was almost the equivalent of 2 games back to back. Georgia will be defending for most of the game, of that I've no doubt.
-
To be honest, we have a heck of a lot of 18-21 year olds that look like they could be future stars. As you say, this campaign is probably a bit early for them all. But the likes of Jack Harper (18), Ryan Fraser (20), Tony Watt (20), Stevie May (21), Ryan Gauld (18), Lewis MacLeod (20), Andrew Robertson (20) to name a few, look immense, at times. Even if just 1 of them fulfils the expectations, we will be a better team for it.
Even Forrest hasn't had a chance to fully develop and I'd like to see how GMS does at a higher level. Both still only around 23.
Plenty to be excited about.
There's no doubt the SFA coaching staff have Watt down as being lazy with a bad attitude, and maybe that's true. He's also one of the few that has pace, physique and a genuine knack for scoring that appears to be on the immediate horizon. There needs to be a sit down with him to get him on track and back in the picture.
-
Gauld and Macleod are probably the two players that could take us to another level but probably not till 2016.
-
I 'd like to see Wilson and Souttar go to better leagues, although I still think Souttar could end up in midfield.
-
I don't think my assessment was harsh at all. I highlighted Maloney n Martin cos they are two guys who might legitimately feel like they could be playing at a higher level, not to say they were outstandingly bad.
Fair enough, a wee bit grumpy this morning.
-
Robertson is going to be a really good player. To be a truly great one he needs to keep practising his technique.
-
The Ireland game was no ordinary game. I can't remember seeing a game of such intensity. England have players in Wilshire and Rooney that are miles better than ours and we need to be 100% to get even close to them.
-
Russell and Watt are the two that can give us the injection of pace we need. Fletcher was a big miss last night.
-
Thought naismith and our whole midfield were rank rotten to be honest. Anya and robertson the only guys who really played with pass marks, but clyne had them well marshalled most of the game.
End of the day it was only a friendly and we beat Ireland so I'm not overly concerned.
Strachan let sentiment cloud his judgement for this one. The players were knackered and he should have rotated, easy to say after the event but it may have been evident in training. Russell looked good when he came on and showed what pace can do - but we still need more pace, power and technique up front. Strachan needs to have a sit down with Tony Watt because I don't see any other players who can provide that.
Delighted to have the 3 points versus Ireland, but in many ways the players were hung out to dry by being asked to get back up to speed for this one. Maloney, Naismith and Anya had nothing in the tank.
-
Agree that tonight highlighted lack of squad depth, particularly up front and in defence - our full backs were knackered.
There are two ways to look at the playing in Englnad issue - as per your post above, or it being an opportunity for our players to show that they should be playing at a higher level, eg Maloney, Chris Martin, etc. They didn't really do that, unfortunately.
Get a grip. That was a side running on empty after the most intense game of football I've probably ever seen. Maloney was superb on Friday and had nothing left for England - end of story.
-
Even if that were true it still wouldn't make James Forrest good enough
Forrest has put in some great performances in Champions League qualifiers and for the u21s. There's evidence to suggest with a run of games he may well be good enough.
-
Are they natural left footers though? Both like to cut in on to the right I think.
Anya is right footed.
-
I'm amazed at the stick Martin is getting. He did very well the other night, holding the ball up and causing their defenders problems. I don't see how he can be written off without getting a full 90 minutes. We've got 3 lightweight players in behind the striker, so there needs to be a physical presence to allow them to get up the park.
-
Criticism of Hanley is out of order. He's only 22 and held out under huge pressure. Those who say he has no pace don't watch the game and merely assume it because of his large frame. When he's 26 he'll probably be our captain and a top EPL player.
-
At times like these you'd hope the players will be very confident and so should the fans be. Like I have said elsewhere is Georgia (away) any tougher than Macedonia or Croatia (away) where Gordon took us in the last campaign and got us wins?
Georgia are rank rotten. The were woeful at Ibrox and we'll win by a few goals over there. Poland at home is going to be very difficult as they'll be very dangerous on the break. Milik looks very good. We should have Snodgrass and Forrest to add to our squad by then and maybe some of the younger players, so it 'll be a cracker.
-
Not just you, why he didn't bring on May was a bit a mystery but I guess it's the result that counts.
He did fine.
-
He was absolutely superb. Best technique I've seen from a Scotland player.
-
Team
in TA specific
He's a sub
-
having seen Georgia at Ibrox, and with more room to play, I'd fancy us to win 0-3 over there.
-
For the sake of consistency I wonder if he also has no time for the English-born Scotland fans who will be in the stadium tonight?
People can support who they want, it's no big deal.
Only a 'fan' site
Scotland Players In Action
in TA specific
Posted
I still think he'll end up in midfield.