World Cup squad

[romanticscot]

Preliminary lists (up to 55 players and must include 4 keepers) are due by May 11. That’s a big boost for flexibility but only for the coaches, not for the final field.

Final 26-man rosters must be submitted by May 30. That’s set in stone. No late surprise additions from outside the original 55.

 

So, let's discuss the up to 55 and ultimately 26 squad.

Who would you pick, and who do you reckon Clarke will include? 

[AAAfather]

11 minutes ago, romanticscot said:

Preliminary lists (up to 55 players and must include 4 keepers) are due by May 11. That’s a big boost for flexibility but only for the coaches, not for the final field.

Final 26-man rosters must be submitted by May 30. That’s set in stone. No late surprise additions from outside the original 55.

Is this a new FIFA rule or has it been in effect for a while at recent World Cups? 

Interesting - very American to have an enlarged squad which is then trimmed down with no exceptions for late call up. It's probably to do with admin and the modern trend for each player to have mugshots/celebration footage for the TV companies to edit into the match footage. 

[Tartan blood]

48 minutes ago, romanticscot said:

Preliminary lists (up to 55 players and must include 4 keepers) are due by May 11. That’s a big boost for flexibility but only for the coaches, not for the final field.

Final 26-man rosters must be submitted by May 30. That’s set in stone. No late surprise additions from outside the original 55.

 

So, let's discuss the up to 55 and ultimately 26 squad.

Who would you pick, and who do you reckon Clarke will include? 

So how would you break it down? 

5 keepers

10 full backs

10 centre backs

20 midfielders

10 forwards

Depends on preferred formations, I suppose. 

I would potentially be throwing in a fair amount of young talent. Like, there isn't much point in including the likes of Ryan Jack, Liam Cooper or Callum Paterson, who all have virtually no chance of making it.

Throw in a few u21s and make them aware they are in the thoughts of Clarke, even if they know they won't make it. That could be the motivation they need to raise their game for future tournaments.

Edited April 18 by Tartan blood

[Caledonian Craig]

The final 26 I reckon has perhaps 19 places assured barring injuries. Those are:-

Gunn

Gordon (if fit)

Hickey

Tierney

Robertson

Hanley

McKenna

Souttar

Hendry

McTominay

McGinn

Gilmour 

Christie

McLean

Gannon-Doak

Ferguson

Dykes

Adams

Shankland

 

 

[Yosemite Sam]

1 hour ago, AAAfather said:

Is this a new FIFA rule or has it been in effect for a while at recent World Cups? 

Interesting - very American to have an enlarged squad which is then trimmed down with no exceptions for late call up. It's probably to do with admin and the modern trend for each player to have mugshots/celebration footage for the TV companies to edit into the match footage. 

Don't think it's anything to do with the Americans, just a FIFA thing

[Orraloon]

I'm still not convinced we will ever get to know who is in the 55 man squad. There isn't really any need to tell anybody, except FIFA.

[Caledonian Craig]

5 minutes ago, Orraloon said:

I'm still not convinced we will ever get to know who is in the 55 man squad. There isn't really any need to tell anybody, except FIFA.

I suppose it depends on how watertight each FA is. Quite possible that we get an inkling of who isn't in the 55 if a player comes out in the press to bemoan missing out but that is about it.

Edited April 18 by Caledonian Craig

[Caledonian Craig]

Make that 20 nailed on as Lennon Miller also sure to be there.

[AlfieMoon]

24 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said:

The final 26 I reckon has perhaps 19 places assured barring injuries. Those are:-

Gunn

Gordon (if fit)

Hickey

Tierney

Robertson

Hanley

McKenna

Souttar

Hendry

McTominay

McGinn

Gilmour 

Christie

McLean

Gannon-Doak

Ferguson

Dykes

Adams

Shankland

 

 

Spot on. 

Which means we’re left looking at:

1. Kelly / Bain

2. Patterson / McCrorie / Ralston 

3. Doig / Taylor / Milne 

4. Miller / Irving / Barron 

5. Hirst / Bowie / Conway 

6. 

7. 

 

There’s not much up for grabs considering how many players are being touted for call ups by a lot of fans. 
 

The last 2 places may be taken up by those already mentioned in the contention for the places listed above but others will come into the mix.
 

Probably Hyam if Clarke is flirting with playing 3x CB’s in any of the games. Final place maybe a bit of a random attacking option out the blue - Burke, R. Stewart, Gauld, Morgan, Forrest. 

[Caledonian Craig]

4 minutes ago, AlfieMoon said:

Spot on. 

Which means we’re left looking at:

1. Kelly / Bain

2. Patterson / McCrorie / Ralston 

3. Doig / Taylor / Milne 

4. Miller / Irving / Barron 

5. Hirst / Bowie / Conway 

6. 

7. 

 

There’s not much up for grabs considering how many players are being touted for call ups by a lot of fans. 
 

The last 2 places may be taken up by those already mentioned in the contention for the places listed above but others will come into the mix.
 

Probably Hyam if Clarke is flirting with playing 3x CB’s in any of the games. Final place maybe a bit of a random attacking option out the blue - Burke, R. Stewart, Gauld, Morgan, Forrest. 

I think It will be Bain, Patterson, Doig, Miller, Barron and Hirst.

[AlfieMoon]

2 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said:

I think It will be Bain, Patterson, Doig, Miller, Barron and Hirst.

I’d agree with all of that. Possible toss up between Barron and Irving (who is apparently fancied). 
 

That would just leave a final attacking place as the one of interest. 

[Diamond Scot]

Think Hyam will be in there.

Wouldnt be surpised if Clarke took 3 RBs instead of Doig. If Robertson gets injured  Tierney plays, if Tierney then gets injured Hickey switches across. I think he will take Patterson and either McCrorie or Ralston.

Wouldnt be surprised if Barron was the additional midfielder and 4th attacker will be Hirst.

[Caledonian Craig]

20 minutes ago, Diamond Scot said:

Think Hyam will be in there.

Wouldnt be surpised if Clarke took 3 RBs instead of Doig. If Robertson gets injured  Tierney plays, if Tierney then gets injured Hickey switches across. I think he will take Patterson and either McCrorie or Ralston.

Wouldnt be surprised if Barron was the additional midfielder and 4th attacker will be Hirst.

Yes that is all feasible too.

[bdgsct]

He has to take Doig if he wants the option of playing 3 at the back with cover for LWB. Whilst Hickey could play there it seems crazy to disrupt preparation at both fullback areas for one injury. It's not as if our back up right back are much stronger than Doig. Plus Hickey and Robertson probably don't have 90 min in them in quick succession at wing back. I'd be surprised I'd we play with 3 at the back but for 26 man squad it makes sense to have that cover.

[kumnio]

2 right backs, 4 central defenders, 5 at a push, 2 left backs that should be it, any more than that is absolute utter stupidity.

Have we learned nothing from previous tournaments. We need attacking options to win games, not more defenders to sit on the bench. Also, please for the love of god not yet more central midfielders who offer nothing different to the other handful of central midfielders already in the squad.

• Gunn Gordon Bain
• Hickey Patterson
• Soutar Hendry McKenna Hanley Hyam
• Robertson Tierney
• Miller Ferguson Gilmour Christie McLean
• Doak Burke Gauld McGinn McTominay
• Adams Dykes Shankland Bowie

[Caledonian Craig]

4 minutes ago, kumnio said:

2 right backs, 4 central defenders, 5 at a push, 2 left backs that should be it, any more than that is absolute utter stupidity.

Have we learned nothing from previous tournaments. We need attacking options to win games, not more defenders to sit on the bench. Also, please for the love of god not yet more central midfielders who offer nothing different to the other handful of central midfielders already in the squad.

• Gunn Gordon Bain
• Hickey Patterson
• Soutar Hendry McKenna Hanley Hyam
• Robertson Tierney
• Miller Ferguson Gilmour Christie McLean
• Doak Burke Gauld McGinn McTominay
• Adams Dykes Shankland Bowie

I can't see Gauld being fit for the World Cup. More chance Morgan being included I suppose.

[bdgsct]

Given that we have played 451 more than any other formation recently, if Clarke plans to do so again, he needs subs for Doak and Mcginn assuming they start wide. Christie is probably the only other regular squad member who can play wide and most now accept he is better in the middle of the park. He seems to like Ferguson in the middle but given our lack of options he might be worth trying out wide. He does that job for Bologna now and again.

[ceudmilefailte]

Has Patterson played enough club football to prove his fitness?

[kumnio]

20 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said:

I can't see Gauld being fit for the World Cup. More chance Morgan being included I suppose.

Im not sure of his injury status, but hopefully he can make it. Morgan would be a decent enough replacement, but we will probably see Barron or Irving called up.

[Mazziessc]

1 hour ago, ceudmilefailte said:

Has Patterson played enough club football to prove his fitness?

We insist on taking Gordon and Tierney in the past. 

 

 

3 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:

The final 26 I reckon has perhaps 19 places assured barring injuries. Those are:-

Gunn

Gordon (if fit)

Hickey

Tierney

Robertson

Hanley

McKenna

Souttar

Hendry

McTominay

McGinn

Gilmour 

Christie

McLean

Gannon-Doak

Ferguson

Dykes

Adams

Shankland

 

 

1.Bain
2.Patterson

3.Hymm
4.Barron

5.Hirst

6.Miller
 

7.Curtis

Think that fills it nicely.

[Mazziessc]

GK Gunn Gordon Bain

DEF Hickey Patterson Soutar Hendry McKenna Hanley Hyam Robertson Tierney

MID Miller Ferguson Gilmour Christie McLean McGinn McTominay Barron

ATT Doak Adams Dykes Shankland Hirst Curtis

Edited April 18 by Mazziessc

[Tartan blood]

10 hours ago, kumnio said:

2 right backs, 4 central defenders, 5 at a push, 2 left backs that should be it, any more than that is absolute utter stupidity.

Have we learned nothing from previous tournaments. We need attacking options to win games, not more defenders to sit on the bench. Also, please for the love of god not yet more central midfielders who offer nothing different to the other handful of central midfielders already in the squad.

• Gunn Gordon Bain
• Hickey Patterson
• Soutar Hendry McKenna Hanley Hyam
• Robertson Tierney
• Miller Ferguson Gilmour Christie McLean
• Doak Burke Gauld McGinn McTominay
• Adams Dykes Shankland Bowie

This is pretty much identical to my squad. I have ambivalent feelings towards Hyam and Adams, but I couldn't make a strong case for anyone else to usurp them. Maybe Porteous, partly based on his location. And maybe McBurnie or R.Stewart if they finish the season strongly.

Burke and Bowie would be the (relative) wildcards that Clarke always includes. Both scored very good counter attacking goals recently, which may be a necessary weapon in our arsenal against Brazil and Morocco.

 

[Tartan blood]

11 hours ago, Orraloon said:

I'm still not convinced we will ever get to know who is in the 55 man squad. There isn't really any need to tell anybody, except FIFA.

Even if we don't find out, I'm glad Clarke is being forced to widen his gaze. Who knows, maybe it'll inadvertently incept a new name into his consciousness. I.e whilst trying to fill up the 55 he realises that "hey, maybe Oli Burke is not a bad shout"

Edited April 19 by Tartan blood

[exile]

I wonder if there is any sort of consensus that we need someone else attacking like Gannon-Doak, assuming he/they are fit and available. So out of, say, Burke, Gauld, Forrest and Curtis, should we definitely have one of them, even if we don't agree which one?

Put another way, if BGD is injured, can you imagine going to the World Cup without any of those?

[Caledonian Craig]

1 hour ago, exile said:

I wonder if there is any sort of consensus that we need someone else attacking like Gannon-Doak, assuming he/they are fit and available. So out of, say, Burke, Gauld, Forrest and Curtis, should we definitely have one of them, even if we don't agree which one?

Put another way, if BGD is injured, can you imagine going to the World Cup without any of those?

Gauld I doubt will be fit in time. Burke and Forrest have not been near the squad in a long time so it would be real surprising if either are selected so most likely would be Curtis.