bdgsct

Porteous dropped again, not many of our defenders playing regularly for one reason or another which is concerning.

This 100%. There is zero medium to long term vision for clubs in Scotland. Owners need to buy in to a long term plan to play passing football and get the fans onboard then appoint a series of managers with the same mandate. Clubs seem to jump from one management style to another when results turn which is crazy. The style of football played in Scotland isn't developing players of any nationality with the few that do get bought usually failing to cut it at the higher level and returning. There are the odd exceptions but they tend to be the technically sound players which would have probably benefitted from leaving even sooner, Christie, Armstrong, Ferguson etc. People get blinded by the current relative success of the national team but this will no doubt lead to a lack of depth in 5/6 years time.

Plenty of good finishes with both feet. He likes to drift in from the left but you do wonder if he could do a job up front.

Great touch and finish. Probably the best striking prospect ATM. Looks a natural finisher, if he could step up a level, we could have a goalscorer.

I expect a bit of squad rotation given its a cup tie and Coleman will need minutes. Patterson hasn't fully established himself as first choice but I think its heading that way. They have lost 3 in a row too.

Would be completely surprised as he's having the best season he's had for a long time. Who would you leave out?

I don't see any of those making England's euro squad. Sounds like Barnes has switched. As good a player as he is, he's not very versatile and can only really play on the left of a front 3 which doesn't fit into our shape. I don't see any of the others being in a rush to commit, time will tell in 2/3 years. Gordon is good enough to start as our number 9 in my opinion. He's the only one too old for the under 21's so might be the first to have a decision if he continues to be overlooked.

Hendry has done very well for Scotland and that's what has got him his move as he's pretty much done nothing at club level bar two decent seasons in Belgium. You have to think his club level will unfortunately sneak into his international game at some point. That's why I'd be inclined to go with younger players who are playing at a similar or better level who have more scope for improvement. Hanley has a lot to prove after being out so long. I'd like to see Hickey tried on the right and Porteus or Mckenna in the middle in a 3. I'll admit there isn't a whole lot to choose between the options at the moment so might aswell consider the future.

Not won in 9 games. I'll not pretend I watch the games but his ratings are pretty average. I'd question how much players in that league will improve based on the competitiveness and the motivation of those involved. I don't blame Hendry for going there, impossible to turn down.

Interesting to see the contrast between the Clarke and Carver interviews/quotes. Clarke is coy but Carver basically saying we're interested. Not surprising given the minor embarrassment of the Anderson situation which was nobody's fault and probably a good approach.

Yes, can't underestimate how much a season starting regularly in the EPL benefits a player. He will be vastly improved come the Euros. Will be interesting to see how Clarke selects based on club form versus past performance for Scotland. My opinion is you can get away with one or two either not playing regularly or in poor club form but no more. Dykes, Hendry, Mckenna, Adams and if we are honest McT fall into that category at the moment.

Aye, despite contribution thus far at some stage you neeed to move on and select players in form. Shankland or Ferguson up top as a trial.

I wouldn't be averse to trying Ferguson up front in one of the friendlies. Dykes has done a great job and helps create space and opportunities for the like of McGinn and McT but that aspect might be worth sacrificing in order to bring in a better quality player who would no doubt link play better and still have a goal threat. You can't ignore what dykes has done in a Scotland shirt and their respective ages but you are talking about someone worth approx £3m versus someone worth £15-£20m.

Good watch, did seem to miss some aspects but the content was well made. Interesting that he feels he has constantly had to prove himself even up until quite recently under Gerrard. Despite being regarded as having a great character for his whole career, it seems he has still needed/benefitted from these challenges.

Thanks, how about Bamberg?

Looking for a good suggestion for a place to stay between the Munich and Cologne for 2/3 nights to mix it up between the first 2 games. Somewhere with a bit of culture but not too quiet. Nuremberg, Koblenz, Idstein, Bonn all look possibilities. Any comments welcome from those who have been. Thanks

He's a bit of a victim of his own success. He's 22 but only has 46 club appearances which is incredibly low for someone who also has 19 caps. Until he gets a run of 20 club starts we're not going to know his true level. I expect he will go on to become a regular starter for us as there is plenty improvement to come.

Porteus has been excellent and it would be very harsh to drop him. But if you are looking for areas to improve our 11 the two obvious areas are centre back and striker. Tierney and Hickey in a back 3 allows you to play football all over the park and have more pace/threat on the right. Same formation but very much more attacking, wouldn't expect to start any group games like that but it's an option worth having if behind.

Funny you should say that, my dad who is disabled and on 8 points looks like he is going to miss out. Spain was the first away game he went to and there we a couple other disabled fans there. Now 57 tickets sold to 10+ points disabled fans for Germany. The comms from SSC has been very poor. I registered his interest as requested and have heard nothing since, despite emailing asking them to confirm. He has 8 points so assumed would get a code tomorrow in the absence of any other confirmation. Any help appreciated.

If experimenting I'd sooner try Hickey at Right of a back 3 with Patterson at wing back. It does leave us short of options in these positions of the bench but probably improves our 11 with Hendry or Porteus dropping out.

12/1 now with one bookie. Can't understand that. I'm sure we'll have less of the ball but I'm not expecting a one-sided match.

You can add codes to sit together after purchasing using the booking reference. The tickets need to be in the same category for each booking (for all 3 matches) to use the system. If you get the same cat for some games and not others between the bookings then you need to email uefa to link them.

Livramento has played at every youth level for England. Whether he was on our radar or not, he's going to play for England if he is selected. Excellent player but I'd be surprised if he makes their squad. Will he then reconsider his allegiance if he just misses out, unlikely imo.

Missed McLean, who I'd suggest would be in the second group. Interesting to see Christie playing in a deep midfield role for Bournemouth. That kind of flexibility might see him gamble with another attacker rather than include McLean and/or Jack. I'd still expect to see one, and I think McLean might be unlucky. I don't think Barnes is out of the equation.

Dragged my kids round 3 shops to get enough facepaint for the Italian flag on the day of final last time. Watched it in an Italian restaurant. Great night.