The Black Bra Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Not convinced Strachan will quit or be sacked if we don't qualify. Depends on the next 4 results/performances, if we are decent and just miss out I wouldn't be surprised if he's still around for the next qualifiers. Wouldn't bother me too much, I don't see an obvious replacement and have no faith in SFA finding an improvement. Any thoughts on the next manager? Can't think of anybody all that inspiring, we missed our chance with Lagerback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 If we fail to make the play off's, I think Strachan will walk to let someone else take over. England result has effectively bought him the rest of this campaign (regardless of Friday's result). Last two results have certainly got the wind back in the sails, but we have never had a comfortable time of it in Lithuania, so expect a hard game out there, but (quietly.....) confident of a 2-0 win, and hopefully rounded off with a nice 4-0 victory at Hampden next week  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 (edited) 14 minutes ago, The Black Bra said: Any thoughts on the next manager? Can't think of anybody all that inspiring, we missed our chance with Lagerback. If Strachan was to walk just now, the SFA would probably put together the usual scrapping the bottom of the barrel list of usual suspects (Eck, Moyes, Coyle, Davis, Lambert etc.... with McInnes added in to at least get some excitement added in). With a list like that (which would most likely see Moyes are the clear out and out fav, followed by Lambert) you would hope that the SFA would cast their net a lot further this time. Edited August 30, 2017 by wanderer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Black Bra Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 27 minutes ago, wanderer said: If Strachan was to walk just now, the SFA would probably put together the usual scrapping the bottom of the barrel list of usual suspects (Eck, Moyes, Coyle, Davis, Lambert etc.... with McInnes added in to at least get some excitement added in). With a list like that (which would most likely see Moyes are the clear out and out fav, followed by Lambert) you would hope that the SFA would cast their net a lot further this time. Looking at that list of names that's exactly why it wouldn't bother me if we had Strachan for another campaign. Just can't see the blazers looking any further than the usual suspects and getting someone surprising or innovative, it will be the same as it always is. We'll get someone who's had a bit of success somewhere but whose career has stalled and would take the Scotland job to get them back on track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrisandmoo Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 3 hours ago, vanderark14 said: I'd swap Gordon for any of the other keepers and Forrest swapped for Ritchie but if strachan went with what parklife posted I would accept it because that team should be capable of beating Lithuania and Malta. Yes, agree with this. Gordon is off the rails. Forrest and Ritchie are close, but Ritchie looked at the top of his game at the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossman4 Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 If Strachan gets us to a playoff and we have a gallant loss to an Italy or Portugal it would be hard to see him not continuing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Graeme sourness would be good. Â Or I would take back Walter smith or Alex Mcleish. Â Maybe take a punt on derek machines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norsefox Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Malcolm said: Graeme sourness would be good. Â Or I would take back Walter smith or Alex Mcleish. Â Maybe take a punt on derek machines. What I'd do for a convincing win on Friday. Â No one is owed anything in life, but for once I'd LOVE a non-stressful away tie with Scotland. Strachan will move on - one way or the other - after then eventual end of this campaign. Â Happy with Souness, Smith, McLeish, Lambert or Moyes. Ideally I'd go with a qualified foreign manager, but the suit brigade in Scottish football is so colloquial (a world in which Kris Boyd's opinion of a manager matters), that we could have Simeone and people would claim he knew nothing, as if a provincial backwater was really that hard to understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munro7 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 --------------Gordon------------- Tierney--Martin---Mulgrew-Robertson ------------Brown------Bannan-------- Anya--------Armstrong----------Fraser ----------------Griffiths---------------  We shouldn't need two defensive sitters so I think this game could suit Bannan beside Brown, particularly if we have decent movement from the 4 in front of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davew Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 On 29/08/2017 at 7:26 PM, andyD said: Everyone seems to be going for the back 4.. I wouldn't be surprised if we went back 3 like against England. Gordon Martin - Berra - Tierney Anya - Brown - Morrison - Robertson Fraser - Armstrong Griffiths I think the formation makes sense. Solves the problem of having no on-form left midfielder. Solves the problem of getting Robertson and Tierney into the same team. I don't think Fraser will start though. And I would be surprised if Morrison or Anya starts. Pretty sure Forest will start. Ritchie can't be far away either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) 7 minutes ago, davew said: I think the formation makes sense. Solves the problem of having no on-form left midfielder. Solves the problem of getting Robertson and Tierney into the same team. I don't think Fraser will start though. And I would be surprised if Morrison or Anya starts. Pretty sure Forest will start. Ritchie can't be far away either. With the game tonight on a plastic pitch, it will be a pretty high tempo game, so I can see Strachan going with Anya and Forest for pace (while Ritchie can create something out of nothing, I just do not think he has the pace for a game like this, and will see him on the bench).... Matt Phillips is a good outside bet for a surprise starter tonight I feel. Edited September 1, 2017 by wanderer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pca68 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Tommy Wright for Scotland manager. If not, then I'd be happy with McLeish - he's got unfinished business there and I believe he's genuinely passionate about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geed Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Â -------------------------------------McGregor Tierney------------Berra----------------Mulgrew--------------Robertson ---------------------------Brown----------McArthur Fraser--------------------------Armstrong--------------------Snodgrass ------------------------------------Griffiths Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyD Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 1 hour ago, davew said: I think the formation makes sense. Solves the problem of having no on-form left midfielder. Solves the problem of getting Robertson and Tierney into the same team. I don't think Fraser will start though. And I would be surprised if Morrison or Anya starts. Pretty sure Forest will start. Ritchie can't be far away either. Fair comments.. i guess the problem with the 343 is competition for places is too high in certain areas. It need 2 defensive mids, so our attacking mids are competing for the inside forward position. We also have a bunch of wide men who are not really good enough for the 'wingback' roll, so also have to fit into the inside forward role. That means all these guys are fighting for just 2 positions: Armstrong, Bannan, Crainey, Forest, Fraser, Philips, Ritchie, Snodgrass. 8 players for 2 positions. Probably also true for Oli Burke and Jamie Murphy too, tho Murphy does work pretty hard defensively so he might manage the wide role. The problem with this heavy competition is that these are are most of our better players.. These are the guys we would most like on the pitch. So while I like the 343 and it shields our less than stellar defense well, and uses our fullbacks attacking strengths well, it also leaves a lot of talent on the bench. So while I think i'd probably go with the 343 right now, it'd also be very valid to go with a 433/451 like: Gordon Anya - Martin - Tierney - Robertson Bannan - Brown - Armstrong Forrest - Griffiths - Fraser With Bannan and Armstrong pushing on, linking play and putting balls thru. It's very much a 'front foot' way to set up, and I think we'll be a little more cautious against Lithuania as they have shown they can actually play a bit of football. Honestly I think a 4231 is most likely, but I don't see any benefit of that over 343. 433 Potentially does have some benefits for these two games, but it does require us to believe in ourselves and take a bit of a risk, trusting that we've got enough to go and beat them. I think caution will be the chosen path tho.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davew Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 13 minutes ago, andyD said: Fair comments.. i guess the problem with the 343 is competition for places is too high in certain areas. Armstrong, Bannan, Crainey, Forest, Fraser, Philips, Ritchie, Snodgrass. 8 players for 2 positions. The problem with this heavy competition is that these are are most of our better players.. These are the guys we would most like on the pitch. Â Good point. If we start Tierney out-of-position at right-back in a 4-2-3-1Â then it allows us to play 3 of our creative players instead of just 2. But it means we need to play someone out of position at left-midfield (even Fraser has been playing on the right this season). Another slight problem with 3-4-3 is that we only really have Anya and Whittaker that can play as right wing backs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parklife Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 1 hour ago, pca68 said: I believe he's genuinely passionate about it. He quite the job to go and manage Birmingham. BIRMINGHAM!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noctonjock Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 26 minutes ago, Parklife said: He quite the job to go and manage Birmingham. BIRMINGHAM!! Won a trophy with them mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyD Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 25 minutes ago, davew said: Another slight problem with 3-4-3 is that we only really have Anya and Whittaker that can play as right wing backs. Patterson's not far away, these two games just came a touch too soon for him to be in the squad. He'd be pretty perfect for that right back spot, with Anya as the back up player. Chris Cadden could be a possibility in the future, or Tony Ralston at Celtic. Interestingly Donald Love was using in defensive mid by Sunderland recently, which might not be the worst positional change for us given we're not currently blessed with a lot of up and coming defensive mids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
er yir macaroon Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 1 hour ago, andyD said: Fair comments.. i guess the problem with the 343 is competition for places is too high in certain areas. It need 2 defensive mids, so our attacking mids are competing for the inside forward position. We also have a bunch of wide men who are not really good enough for the 'wingback' roll, so also have to fit into the inside forward role. That means all these guys are fighting for just 2 positions: Armstrong, Bannan, Crainey, Forest, Fraser, Philips, Ritchie, Snodgrass. 8 players for 2 positions. Probably also true for Oli Burke and Jamie Murphy too, tho Murphy does work pretty hard defensively so he might manage the wide role. The problem with this heavy competition is that these are are most of our better players.. These are the guys we would most like on the pitch. So while I like the 343 and it shields our less than stellar defense well, and uses our fullbacks attacking strengths well, it also leaves a lot of talent on the bench. So while I think i'd probably go with the 343 right now, it'd also be very valid to go with a 433/451 like: Gordon Anya - Martin - Tierney - Robertson Bannan - Brown - Armstrong Forrest - Griffiths - Fraser With Bannan and Armstrong pushing on, linking play and putting balls thru. It's very much a 'front foot' way to set up, and I think we'll be a little more cautious against Lithuania as they have shown they can actually play a bit of football. Honestly I think a 4231 is most likely, but I don't see any benefit of that over 343. 433 Potentially does have some benefits for these two games, but it does require us to believe in ourselves and take a bit of a risk, trusting that we've got enough to go and beat them. I think caution will be the chosen path tho.  That team would get slaughtered at set pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parklife Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 5 minutes ago, er yir macaroon said: That team would get slaughtered at set pieces. Definitely. That'd be suicidal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 On 8/30/2017 at 7:57 PM, Malcolm said: Graeme sourness would be good.  Or I would take back Walter smith or Alex Mcleish.  Maybe take a punt on derek machines. Souness has been out of the game (coaching wise) since 2006..... he is clearly happy working with Sky these days (replacing Eck in 2007 is probably the closest he was ever going to get to the job) 26 minutes ago, noctonjock said: Won a trophy with them mind When Eck had the job last time, it was clear he was only in it until a offer from down south came along (Carson Yeung had just taken over at City and promise of £50m to use in the transfer market).... while Eck has became something of a joke down south after his spells at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, I was actually surprised to find out how well he did at Ghent. Would I take him back now?...... He would probably be 3rd-ish on my list behind Lambert and Moyes (based on what is available for the foreseeable future) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiefaetheferry Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Think Ritchie and Phillips will both play tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 1 hour ago, andyD said:  Gordon Anya - Martin - Tierney - Robertson Bannan - Brown - Armstrong Forrest - Griffiths - Fraser  No chance will Strachan go into a game without a recognized central defender playing! While Celtic tried out Tierney in the cup, no chance will Strachan do anything like that tonight.... remember Gibraltar where he tinkered with a new formation and idea's, and we could not string two passes together which left us exposed at the back and resulted in Gibraltars goal). Mulgrew will most certainly start tonight, with most likely Berra along side him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbo cop Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) Gordon Tierney                             Robertson Martin          Mulgrew Brown Ritchie     Armstrong    Bannan   Snodgrass Griffith  Edited September 1, 2017 by robbo cop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norsefox Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 1 hour ago, robbo cop said: Gordon Tierney                             Robertson Martin          Mulgrew Brown Ritchie     Armstrong    Bannan   Snodgrass Griffith  Brave formation.  Gordon at striker is a bit of a risk imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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