SWMM82

There is an increasing apathy towards the national team and Scottish football in from media and fans, and a general inferiority complex when it comes to playing the “big” nations, that it’s no wonder we find ourselves in this position, it’s almost become ingrained into us. We can only watch in awe a team like Belgium (who, by the way, were much like where we are now 15-20 years ago) knock the ball about with such confidence and swagger while we chase shadows! Each and every qualifying campaign we go in with the same mentality..... we might scrape a play off place, but it’ll be an away game against a Georgia/Macedonia that’ll be our undoing! We have made similar changes at grassroots level in the last 5-10 years and now we have very talented age groups at 19s and 17s level with players gaining first team exposure. Add to that for the first time in f**k knows how long we have a potentially world class player in Billy Gilmour coming through the ranks. We are now regularly getting results against top tier teams at youth level, so there are reasons to be positive! The Naismith’s and the snodgrass’s have been great servants, but they had their opportunities, and they ultimately failed to take us to a major finals. Time to phase in these talented younger players we have coming through..... Wales did it with bale, Ramsey and now Ethan ampadu, Belgium did it, it’s worked out no bad for them!

The word “coward” might be a bit strong, but for me he lacks bravery and has shown this in key moments for Scotland i.e against England at Hampden! His distribution is shocking at times, and I don’t believe he gives the defense much confidence. There aren’t many other options, but McGregor has started the season well enough to merit starting in my opinion.

I like the look of this team, but would have McGregor in in front of Gordon at the moment.

Apart from being caught ball watching once near the end of the game, I thought Souttar did very well against top class strikers. Also thought Fraser looked our biggest attacking threat......on the rare occasion he could get forward! McGinn, mistake aside, also showed he has something to offer. Alan McGregor has to start on Monday. Gordon showed, as he has too often in the past with Celtic and Scotland, that his distribution is shocking and he is a coward in big moments in games! And I will reiterate that we are a better team with Forrest in it! He would’ve at least given Belgium something to think about with his pace and direct play. I would accommodate both Fraser and Forrest in more advanced positions with a back 4.

The main progression in the last few years at youth level is in technical ability.....gone are the days we would solely rely on physicality at the age groups before finally getting found out at under 21 and senior level. How often in the past have Scotland teams, at any level, dominated possession against a Spain or a Germany? This is happening regularly now. The other aspect is that a lot of the players are young for their age groups. This has played a big part in their development, technically and physically.

Yeah noticed that too, never heard his name mentioned before. According to Alan McInally on Sky Sports, Watt was one of Wolves best players before he was taken off. Only 18 years old as well.

Elliott Watt starting for Wolves tonight as well. Very highly thought of from what I’ve heard.

I’ve noticed there’s been some talk of a call up for Tony Watt. Obviously we are limited in the striking department, and he clearly has always had the talent and ability to score goals. Would you have him in the squad?

Arguably the best left back in the Premiership. Still work to do defensively and in the air, but f**k me he knows how to get up and down that left side! I agree with JECK though, add more goals to his game and that’ll take him to the next level!

I don’t think he’s been as bad as people make out. Statistically could be a lot better when it comes to goals and assists obviously, but I think the team functions better with him in the starting XI. The defensive side of his game has improved considerably the last couple i seasons.

McGregor Jack Souttar Mulgrew Tierney Forrest McGinn McArthur Robertson Armstrong/McGregor Griffiths i know am gonna get pelted for putting Jack in at RB, but he was a standout there for the U21s, impressed against the Dutch for the full squad, plus he has started the season well with Rangers. And let’s face it, are options there are extremely limited. Maybe play Tierney at CB alongside Mulgrew, Robertson at LB and bring McGregor to the left. Still believe Forrest is the best winger we’ve got and works back the way also.

100% this But I do think the online computing age and the fact a lot of parents are more hesitant to let their kids go out themselves and kick a baw about the parks doesn’t help.

Porteous is a very good prospect, Greg Taylor is decent but unfortunately for him, he’s a left back...... i think in Billy Gilmour we have a young player with genuine world class potential.

And the best second placed team...

Ryan Porteous is definitely a future full international, as long as he stays fit. Marshall’s the defence well and very composed with the ball at his feet. Hopefully see more of Eliott Watt in the next game, heard very good things about him.

Not disputing that. Just think we should be able to hold onto the ball a bit better and no just lump it up the park. But very organised and disciplined defending to be fair.

Great result......still disappointing how backs-to-the-wall we were second half mind. We’ve got technically better players than that.

The first game was on the Freesports channel, but I don’t think the France game is on the tv. Maybe have to watch it online. The South Korea game is on Premier Sports in Saturday.

Disappointing qualifying tournament. Beaten 1-0 by 10-man Greece in the first game, and 2-1 by Norway this morning having been ahead. Billy Gilmour scored the goal. Play Germany in the final match. High hopes for this group of players as well.........

We’ve still got Ryan Jack who could potentially come back into the team at right back too......looked good against Holland..... and was a stand out in that position with the u21s

I will admit that Forrest’s stats for Scotland are unconvincing at best.... but I do believe we are a better TEAM with him in the side. He has also been brilliant for Celtic this season and not just in an attacking sense!

Paterson is a serious concern defensively..... remember thinking so much against Lithuania at home in the last campaign as well! Thought Mctominay looked very shaky at times, understandably considering the hype surrounding him! McBurnie looked decent, but there was a couple of great deliveries across the face of goal he shldve been on the end of. Never seen any replays of the penalty incident in first half......looked like a stonewaller??