calmc92
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Posts posted by calmc92
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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.
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1 hour ago, andyD said:
heh fair. I'm not a believer that statistics tell you 100%, but for certain positions, there are stats that really do matter.
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.
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17 minutes ago, andyD said:
I'm not suggesting Bridcutt starts (as you can see from the 11 i posted), but I'm surprised we haven't bought in a player who does a similar job to Brown, since he's been forced to drop out.
As for Fletcher.. yes, a long and decorated career. But he has been very very poor for us for a year or two now. Ineffectual, badly positioned, constantly giving the ball away and didn't stop goals that he should have. I haven't seen him for Stoke this season, other than one highlight reel where he got ruined by Morata (no particular shame in that), but Stoke are hardly a quality side. They've bottom half of the premier league and they'll just be glad to stay up.
I reject a lot of the mystique of the English premier league. two thirds of the sides in the premier league are pretty rubbish. The top 6 have themselves mostly sorted out, the rest are pretty much just scrabbling to stay up and have very little quality over championship sides. That's evidenced by the likes of Bournemouth finishing 9th last season and already this season you can see respectable starts for Burnley, Huddersfield, Watford and even Brighton. Quality-wise there's really no gap between the top end of the Championship and the bottom half of the Premier League. For his part, Bridcutt was the first choice for a side which spent the majority of last season in the playoff spots of the Championship. When I saw him play he was solid, dependable and kept the ball well. He wouldn't be my first choice to replace Brown, but to dismiss him is frankly silly. Given the age of our current defensive mids, I'd be surprised if the three players I mentioned aren't in the squad in a few years (Fletcher is 34, remember).
For me one of the main problems with Fletcher which shows even in his club performances is his pass completion. Defensive mid is a vital position and what you absolutely must not do in that area of the pitch is give the ball away. Fletcher has, for the last few years, had a very low pass completion rate. And it's not like he's Barry Bannan, trying hollywood balls to the wingers all the time. Yet his pass completion is just 79%. So more than 1 in 5 passes go astray. You look at James Morrison for comparison (generally seems as a more attacking player, so likely to be trying riskier passes) and he's up at 88%. 1 in 5 to 1 in 10 is a massive difference. Morrison isn't a particularly spectacular passer of the ball, but he's a LOT more reliable than Fletcher is. For the record, McDonald and Bridcutt are both over 85%, Tom Cairney's a 91, and even Bannan who sprays the ball around all over the place is at 83%. Again, (cos i thinkit's worth reinforcing) if you give Fletcher the ball, assuming he doesn't give it away by being tackled, he will hand it to the opposition 1 in 5 times.
Fletcher still has attributes that are useful. He's a leader, and he has respect of other players due to what he's done in his career. But he's frankly a bit of a liability at this point. His defensive awareness seems to have gone down the toilet and he gives the ball away far more than is acceptable, something that is especially important at international level. You might think that citing his pass completion from just this season (given it's only 7-8 games in) is unfair, so last season, in his 38 appearances for West Brom he had a pass completion under 77%. Thing is, you go back to his Man Utd days and he's up at 90. He's not that player any more tho. Sadly, he's playing for low end Premier League sides for a reason.
He's worth a squad spot for his influence (much as Kolo Toure was for Celtic last season), but in a game this important, when probably the most important aspect of the upcoming game is controlling the midfield, I would not let Fletcher anywhere near the pitch. Sounds harsh, I'm sure, and I respect him for his career, but the player he is right now is not what we need for the coming game.
You would love the film 'Moneyball'
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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.
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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.
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"you can only p*ss with the c*ck you've got"
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47 minutes ago, Chesney Hawkes TA said:
I'll help you out - Tierney is a better player than Robertson.
Based on what? Just curious.
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16 hours ago, stevenmcn said:
Of course it is, be picked them, then went on to say that this is what happens when players aren't playing a lot. If they aren't playing don't pick them, pick players who are playing week in week out and are in form. Look at Snodgrass last night for example. Most people would probably have him as a first pick on Sunday because he scored a hat trick 7 months ago, but he's not kicked his arse since December and has been dropped by his club. I'd imagine he's not exactly brimming with confidence.
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.
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13 hours ago, ErsatzThistle said:
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
He has to go. We are now firmly into Berti Vogts territory.
There is such a thing as giving a young player a bit of support and not just writing him off because he's having one bad game, and not being helped out by his stupid manager playing him out of position.
Over running the ball, taking hefty touches and slack passes is nothing to do with the manager.
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9 minutes ago, ProudScot said:
Does it do that for us? All i've seen the last.... must be coming on 8-10 games now is a groundhog day of monotony and depressing slow paced terrible football.
Anyone with any sense on this board knows that under the present management and with the present system and selection of players we are where we deserve to be in this group. It's likely that under Strachan and setting us up how he does we would win only 1 more game for the rest of the campaign, at home to Malta.Out of interest, what would be your formation and lineup for the game?
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Just now, ProudScot said:
Why do we have to stick with this 4231 formation Strachan has been obsessed with since he took over!?
He also has said on a couple of occasions that we need to find a system that works.
442, play some youth and if it doesn't work so be it, atleast we tried.
Buzzing for 4231, a 1-1 home draw and Strachan praising Barry Bannan who is absolutely woeful.
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.
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17 hours ago, calmc92 said:
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
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.
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1 hour ago, LewisEDI said:
its absolutely baltic here btw (im close to the ground), just had a hail storm, seriously thinking about jacking it in and watching it in the pub.
Man up
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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
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Lee Wallace got ripped a new hole at Wembley. I'm mind blown that some people actually think he played well.
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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.
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If you fielded a team of kids(that aren't exactly world beaters) against a senior international team(half decent) you would get skelped.
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5 minutes ago, Ormond said:
Newcastle are a lower tier English side. Like it or lump it, that's the truth. Hanley can't even get a game for a lower tier team.
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.
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Just now, Ormond said:
I am basing it on a player who is not even good enough to hold down a place at a lower tier English side. The guy gets no game time for a reason. He is pish. You saying someone is a quality player who cannot get gametime for his club is laughable.
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.
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4 minutes ago, Ormond said:
Hanley is not good enough to play for Saints on his form over the last year. There, I've said it.
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.
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4 minutes ago, Ormond said:
Anderson plays consistently well for a TOP table team. Won national silverware with that same team. Weighs in with headed goals now and again. His speciality is burying chances like the one that donkey Hanley missed. Take your English tinted specs off for a second and realise that playing pish players from a lower tier in England who aren't even getting ANY game time clearly isn't working.
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.
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3 hours ago, er yir macaroon said:
I believe our players are getting out jumped because zonal marking can leave them flat footed.
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.
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12 minutes ago, clarky1606 said:
A "gulf" in quality is a bit harsh against our players who play in Scotland vs those who play in England. Remember the many of the players who currently play in England started their careers in Scotland.
If you look around the team who played last week Gordon played before Marshall. Wallace played before Kingsley. Griffiths played before Fletcher/Martin. Forrest played before Burke. Brown played before McArthur/Bannan.
These are all Scottish based players who played before their English based counterparts. Maybe if we done more of that the team would improve. I would happily swap Considine for Hanley. Patterson is a natural right back before Anya. John McGinn can easily slot into midfield. I havent seen too much of Halliday but many Rangers fans say he is good enough for Scotland etc.
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.
27 minutes ago, Ormond said:Anderson is a far better centre half than Hanley.
Anderson does a job up here for a mid table team but that's about it.
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17 hours ago, clarky1606 said:
its the current selection process that has us in this situation
This is why alternatives are being suggested.
Do you regularly watch Aberdeen and/or St Johnstone?
Strachan's problem, along with many of our fans, is that they think we should play the 11 players who are playing at the highest level no matter on whether they are in form, play regularly for their club etc.
Where has that mantra got us? ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE!
Look at NI for example. They play their best 11 players based on who is in form at the moment and it was good enough for them to get to the euros! And lets face it on paper their team is worse than ours. On the park they are streets ahead!
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).
The final World Cup game at Hampden?
in TA specific
Posted
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.