Caledonian Craig Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 1 minute ago, Texas Pete said: I didn’t say you were terrified. Others appear to be dreading a potential trip to either country though. We could potentially have been going to Portugal, Italy or Russia so we have dodged a bullet there I’d say. Wales or Austria really is the best final we could have hoped for unless there was a major upset somewhere. Let’s just hope the Ukrainians don’t spoil the party by having the cheek to beat us in the semi. Yes - the bottom line is there was not going to be any easy games at this stage. No mugs or pushovers to meet but the draw we got is a very decent one. The only fly in the ointment being the away draw for the potential final. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceudmilefailte Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 11 hours ago, Texas Pete said: You would fancy our chances more against a team we haven’t beat for years than a team we beat in Austria a couple of months ago? Odd. I would prefer to play a home nation away than a European one, assuming they are of similar ability. If the draw had gone the other way I am pretty sure the Welsh would sooner come to Glasgow than go to the Ukraine. I understand psychology, but there is a fine line between that and superstition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 3 minutes ago, Texas Pete said: If our recent history in playoffs is anything to go by you may well be correct. I’m not sure I could handle another 2 penalty shootouts though. Well if you look at our goalscoring and defensive records then we stand up well in it:- We scored 17 and conceded 7 from ten matches. Ukraine scored 11 and conceded 8 from eight matches. Wales scored 14 and conceded 9 from eight matches. Austria scored 19 and conceded 17 from ten matches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceudmilefailte Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 14 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said: One thing that is clear is that Austria ship goals more freely than us, Ukraine or Wales. Also none of the teams are big scorers so I think all of the games in this path will be either the narrowest of wins or extra-time and penalties deciding them. I'm pretty sure the Austrians will be a lot more focused than they were in qualification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 2 minutes ago, ceudmilefailte said: I'm pretty sure the Austrians will be a lot more focused than they were in qualification. No guarantee and if they were guilty of that then it shows a distinct lack of professionalism on their behalf and detracts from them as a squad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Pete Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 6 minutes ago, ceudmilefailte said: I would prefer to play a home nation away than a European one, assuming they are of similar ability. If the draw had gone the other way I am pretty sure the Welsh would sooner come to Glasgow than go to the Ukraine. I understand psychology, but there is a fine line between that and superstition. Fair enough but I would say, taking everything into consideration, we are slightly more likely to win in Austria. Not a lot in it though. Certainly not enough for me to have any strong preference. Your point about Wales preferring to go to Hampden doesn’t really hold water as Wales haven’t won in Ukraine in the last 2 months. From a selfish point of view I would actually prefer Wales as it would be easier and cheaper to drive down rather than fly to Austria. May be harder to get a ticket though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breeks_mctavish Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 29 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said: Well if you look at our goalscoring and defensive records then we stand up well in it:- We scored 17 and conceded 7 from ten matches. Ukraine scored 11 and conceded 8 from eight matches. Wales scored 14 and conceded 9 from eight matches. Austria scored 19 and conceded 17 from ten matches. Good stats Craig, look how much our defensive record has improved. Wasn’t long ago we were calamitous at the back. If I remember rightly we’ve had 4 clean sheets in our last 5 games since losing away to Denmark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Jim Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 40 minutes ago, Texas Pete said: If our recent history in playoffs is anything to go by you may well be correct. I’m not sure I could handle another 2 penalty shootouts though. ELO ratings predicts home wins for all the semis except ours. Has it at 52/48 in our favour. i.e. draw written all over it 😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morrie21 Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Caledonian Craig said: Well if you look at our goalscoring and defensive records then we stand up well in it:- We scored 17 and conceded 7 from ten matches. Ukraine scored 11 and conceded 8 from eight matches. Wales scored 14 and conceded 9 from eight matches. Austria scored 19 and conceded 17 from ten matches. Ourselves, Ukraine and Wales all faced different opposition so those stats are irrelevant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 12 minutes ago, morrie21 said: Ourselves, Ukraine and Wales all faced different opposition so those stats are irrelevant. Yes but bookmakers have Austria favourites to win the path and our stats weigh up far better than theirs in the same set of fixtures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint4805 Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Texas Pete said: Can 30,000 be classed as a big home support? It’s not insignificant but small compared to what we could have potentially faced in Italy, Portugal, Sweden or Russia. I meant big in terms of the proportion of home fans compared to how many we will have there. They created a pretty good atmosphere when the played Belgium a few weeks ago. Edited November 27, 2021 by Saint4805 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Pete Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Saint4805 said: I meant big in terms of the proportion of home fans compared to how many we will have there. They created a pretty good atmosphere when the played Belgium a few weeks ago. Wouldn’t that be the case regardless of who we’re playing away from home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiesdad Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 I think the draw is a 7/5-8 out of 10. Would have preferred n Macedonia instead of Ukraine. But apart from that, we didn't get Poland/Czechs. Also missed Italy/ Portugal if we get through. We are in the best/ easiest group of 4. The only team I would swap places with is Wales ( only cos they have potentially 2 at home) IMO Very few other combinations are any better than what we have. If we beat Ukraine, would prefer Austria . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Archiesdad said: I think the draw is a 7/5-8 out of 10. Would have preferred n Macedonia instead of Ukraine. But apart from that, we didn't get Poland/Czechs. Also missed Italy/ Portugal if we get through. We are in the best/ easiest group of 4. The only team I would swap places with is Wales ( only cos they have potentially 2 at home) IMO Very few other combinations are any better than what we have. If we beat Ukraine, would prefer Austria . Yes this is spot on. And if we had been given a draw at home in the potential final it would have been a 9 out of 10 for the draw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phart Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Might get a by if Russia invades Ukraine as has been reported as maybe happening. Not sure if anyone else made point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toepoke Posted November 27, 2021 Author Share Posted November 27, 2021 41 minutes ago, phart said: Might get a by if Russia invades Ukraine as has been reported as maybe happening. Would Poland not get a bye in that case with Russia thrown out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan II Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Might be like an on-field dust up where both aggressor and victim are both booked by a rubbish ref after a confrontation. Maybe FIFA will throw out both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morrie21 Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 7 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said: Yes but bookmakers have Austria favourites to win the path and our stats weigh up far better than theirs in the same set of fixtures. Wouldn't worry about the bookies either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TartanSpice Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 https://twitter.com/ZoryaLondonsk/status/1464554210058543110 Steve Clarke's pre-match team talk sorted courtesy of the Ukraine manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borojock Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 i cant wait for this game already but that vid adds a bit more to it From my brief time looking at them on wiki Management team absolutely nothing to worry about there none of them have a track record of management of success at any level Momentum again nothing to worry on that either - granted don't lose a lot but also don't win a lot draw specialists, don't score many or batter teams Players 4 players stand out the guys at West Ham, Man City, Atlanta and Benfica. None of them world class all decent players but wouldnt hype them up further than that. Fella at West Ham you assume Clarke would be in Moyes and his teams ear getting the full low down on him With home advantage, winning momentum, experience of successfully going through the playoffs last year and a developing team really see nothing to concern with the semi final against the Ukraines = very confident in our team for that game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phart Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 1 hour ago, TartanSpice said: https://twitter.com/ZoryaLondonsk/status/1464554210058543110 Steve Clarke's pre-match team talk sorted courtesy of the Ukraine manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted November 28, 2021 Share Posted November 28, 2021 13 hours ago, morrie21 said: Wouldn't worry about the bookies either. Look if you wish to try to evade factors then go to what all sport looks at.....FORM. Ukraine were hammered 4-0 by England at the Euros - the same England that toiled to get a 0-0 draw against us. Only winning two games in their qualifying group (certainly not the toughest) should not have you messing your pants about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morrie21 Posted November 28, 2021 Share Posted November 28, 2021 2 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said: Look if you wish to try to evade factors then go to what all sport looks at.....FORM. Ukraine were hammered 4-0 by England at the Euros - the same England that toiled to get a 0-0 draw against us. Only winning two games in their qualifying group (certainly not the toughest) should not have you messing your pants about them. I'm not messing my pants about anyone. You've totally misinterpreted what I have said. Good day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toepoke Posted November 28, 2021 Author Share Posted November 28, 2021 Seems a bit odd that the inter confederation play-off finals will be played at a neutral venue but the European ones aren't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 I can very easily see our game going all the way to penalties. Ukraine are something of draw specialists, and to watch them is very similar to how we played under Walter Smith... squad full of talented players, but play a slow and cumbersome style of football that will either get a team on the counter attack late in the game, or end in a draw. Unfortunately for us they have just changed keepers.... Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar) for years has been viewed as one of the weak links in the time, and in recent games has been rotated with Denys Boyko (Dynamo Kyiv) and of late Heorhiy Bushchan (Dynamo Kyiv) has came into the side and did make some great save v Bosnia. I do suspect Pyatov will probably reclaim the No1 shirt in March though. Yarmolenko the obvious danger man, and looks like he will be leaving West Ham for Genoa in next few months.... but I always feel to much weight is put on his shoulders, and Roman Yaremchuk (Benfica) is more of a danger, along with Ruslan Malinovskyi. Play like we did against Denmark and we should be ok, but I expect this game will be rather dull as Ukraine will just try to soak up anything we have and slowly press for a goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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