calmc92

Want a ground where the stands are close to the pitch and tower over it rather than get further back. It would enhance the atmosphere and would be far more intimidating to play in with the loud crowd right on top of you.

Wouldn't say there's too much between Scotland/Slovakia. A few big players can make the difference for each team but I can see us just managing to get over the line tonight with the home advantage. I do think we will need to score atleast 2 though as I can see us conceding quite easily.

Only winding you up. The stats obviously don't lie but I wouldn't always look too much into it. There's so many possible contributing factors that could have an effect on just a basic pass completion percentage. Then there's also what other things they could possibly bring to the team. For example; you were saying about Fletcher's 79% comparing it to Morrison's 88% but you didn't mention Fletcher has played all 630 mins of Stokes 7 PL matches whereas Morrison has only made 4 appearances from West Broms in 7 PL games playing 206 mins, only completing 90 mins once, coming on as a substitute twice and going off as a substitute once. I could argue that Fletcher would be more fatigued which may result in wayward passes nearer the end of the game and would have attempted far more passes. Same kind of argument with Bridcutt etc. he's played his whole career in the championship except from 1-2 seasons with Sunderland where i'm sure he would have been a squad player at best, he's not been able to make the jump in quality to establish himself as a premier league midfielder year after year. He is a solid Championship player no doubt but will never be more than that. So not sure why you think he would make the grade for the international squad. So really, just stating passing percentages is a bit of an unfair way to justify what you're saying.

You would love the film 'Moneyball'

Gordon Tierney Mulgrew Berra Robertson Fletcher Morrison Forrest Snodgrass Phillips Griffiths Maybe not 100% the team I would pick but i'm pretty sure this will be the lineup. Darren Fletcher has to play if we are missing Scott Brown in a game of this importance, you can't underestimate how valuable having someone with his experience will be. Also the fact he is a leader and he won't be fazed by the importance of the match. I'd happily see Fraser start over Forrest but we all know Forrest will start. Can see Snodgrass starting now he's backing playing. Hopefully has a bit of confidence and match sharpness back because he can be a threat but has a big point to prove after the last couple performances. I think the only reason McGregor wasn't called up is because of the amount of players already in that position. I think he is good enough but you can't just go pick lots of the same kind off player. He's no worse than some of them that were already called up, he probably lost out due to his international experience and with it being the last 2 group games so it wouldn't be a surprise he did get game time.

Can't see Strachan taking any risks with the 2 centre midfielders behind the advanced 3. Think he will go for Morrison/McArthur and Fletcher. He seems to love James Forrest although everytime I see him for Scotland, he is pretty terrible and seems to lose possession of the ball on a regular basis without creating anything. Which makes me think he will go with Forrest - Snodgrass - Phillips. Would love to see Fraser but if he won't play him against Lithuania/Malta then can't see him starting on Thursday(similar with McGinn). Hopefully Snoddy has gained a bit confidence back and match sharpness now he's back playing.

"you can only p*ss with the c*ck you've got"

Based on what? Just curious.

I can see why players might not be as match sharp if they aren't starting alot but at this level of football and being well into the season with training daily and still getting game time, you can't then blame a manager for touches that should be bread and butter. Chris Martin had a couple aswell that were noticeable when the ball got fired into his feet.

Over running the ball, taking hefty touches and slack passes is nothing to do with the manager.

Out of interest, what would be your formation and lineup for the game?

4-2-3-1 brings the most balance between attack and defence and turns into a 4-5-1 when you don't have the ball but also lets you attack with 4 when you have it with a confidence that you will always have plenty cover at the back. He's not going to change it now days before the last chance of this campaign, cause if we don't win it's officially over. It's not as if we are actually any better than Slovenia, if anything we are on par with them. A 1-1 draw is actually my correct score prediction although it means we would be out, players like llicic and Kampl would stroll into our team.

Based on last night, I think Burke had an opportunity to cement his place for Sunday but didn't perform and was really frustrating, he obviously has lots of talent and I think playing in Germany will help him develop properly. I think the team will be; Gordon Anya Martin Mulgrew Tierney Armstrong Brown Forrest Cairney Snodgrass Fletcher If he rested the Celtic players for Sunday, I can't see Darren Fletcher starting Sunday after playing last night. Plays every game for West Brom in a more demanding league and demanding style of play. There's no way he wouldn't have gave Armstrong a run out for his first cap if he wasn't in his plans for Sunday after playing so consistently good this season. Forrest or Ritchie will come in for Burke, but with Snodgrass a similar player to Ritchie in the way he plays I think he will go with Forrest for his pace. Cairney looks so good on the ball, gets on it all the time and controls the game from deep but I think with Armstrong coming in deeper, Cairney will go in the hole in the position he gets so many goals and assists from. Martin and Rhodes won't start. Between Fletcher/Griffiths but Fletcher will start when there is so many type of players that can play off him, aswell as having a more physical style of play. Along with the fact he has chose Fletcher over Griffiths countless times.

Man up

Gordon Anya Martin Mulgrew Robertson Fletcher Brown Fraser Snodgrass Burke Griffiths Flip of a coin between Robertson and Tierney. Strachan will probably start Ritchie/Forrest over Burke and use him later on in the game

Lee Wallace got ripped a new hole at Wembley. I'm mind blown that some people actually think he played well.

It's a shame Stu Armstrong had to be playing for Celtic to get a call up, was playing for Utd this good week in, week out. But on a serious note, good to see Armstrong and Ryan Fraser in the squad. Have a good selection of Goalkeepers, Left backs and Midfielders. Just a shame we don't have any centre halves or any strikers with that little step up in quality.

If you fielded a team of kids(that aren't exactly world beaters) against a senior international team(half decent) you would get skelped.

Some people fail to realise there's a jump in quality between certain leagues/players and just because someone is in form or playing consistently for their current team it doesn't mean they could cut it at a higher level. The ability, tempo, physicality aspects is so much greater than at St Johnstone's level. If you seriously think you could put Steven Anderson in the Scotland team without him being miles out of his depth I really do give up hope. Over and out.

I wouldn't call Newcastle a lower tier English side. They are in that position just now because but they throw crazy cash about and their squad is pretty impressive for the level they are playing at (Winning nearly every game bar a handful). He performed half decent for Blackburn over a few seasons and was bought as a squad player to see out a long demanding season. He isn't getting game time and should be nowhere near the Scotland starting 11, he isn't good enough but he would still walk into the Saints team.

You're basing your opinion of them not being good enough for saints based on their performances when they are playing out of their depth at international level? Them playing for Scotland is summed up below; They are English Championship quality defenders(which they are) being thrown into an English Premier League team and expected to perform week in/week out.

I'm not saying it's working i'm saying the likes of Anderson aren't good enough either. I'm not defending Hanley.. I'm saying he is rotten, you seem to think i'm defending him. IF you were to put Anderson in that squad, he would be out of his depth. I'm sure Hanley/Martin/Berra would walk into Saints team and play consistently average every week.

No setup leaves a man flat footed, they might get out jumped because someone has a run on them and they get up early and have the momentum running towards the goal but the defender should be bouncing on his toes regardless. That's down to being lazy which comes from being tired.

I mean it's a step up in quality between Considine/Anderson to what we have even though what we have isn't great. Just because some players get played before people down south doesn't mean it automatically works for anyone.. It goes on a player by player basis. That argument is so flawed. Anderson does a job up here for a mid table team but that's about it.

I do actually see alot of St Johnstone and some of Aberdeen. I don't think he should play the 11 players that are playing at the highest level but i'm saying although they might be in form in our domestic league there is still a gulf in quality of the players. There needs to be a balance between the two I agree but you can't throw someone in a situation where they will be out of their depth. We have a better squad than NI I agree but their qualifying group was a shambles, I wouldn't say the contributing factor was playing in-form players (Kyle Lafferty can't even kick a ball for Norwich yet was there talisman in qualifying and the rest pick themselves).