Gordopolis Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Vaguely interesting to see that Dorrans played as a DM in Norwich's 4231 today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djchapsticks Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 How many competitive minutes has he had? Jail him for not scoring? What a slaver It's clear you have some kind of man crush on Rhodes, sadly for you and us he just isn't up to it at international level. I certainly don't think he's had enough competitive minutes (or minutes in general) to claim that he's had 'plenty of chances' for Scotland? Is he good enough? I don't know....probably not in the system that we currently play but I reckon it's harsh in the extreme to lambast the guy for not having done enough with the very limited chances he's had. In a similar vein, Ross McCormack is another who I've always felt hasn't been given enough of a chance to show he's capable and hasn't really been out of form since his lull when he signed for Fulham. He's a workhorse and has an eye for goal into the bargain. Certainly a better option than Chris Martin for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunning1874 Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Is everyone forgetting that naismith was our worst offender for missed chances against Georgia in Glasgow. He missed 3 absolute sitters, each set up by fletcher ironically. Revisionism at its finest Is your argument against Naismith that he missed a few sitters a year ago? I'd point out that Naismith hasn't had a single appearance at centre forward for Scotland since (ably supported by Snodgrass) he was man of the match at centre forward as we outclassed Croatia. Naismith offers awareness and a level of movement that Fletcher doesn't and our inability to create space or stretch the defence was the biggest factor in our failure to break Georgia down. Even if you argue (I'd contest it) that Fletcher's a better finisher than Naismith so you'd rather a chance fell to him, we're far more likely to create chances with Naismith's movement creating space for the three behind him. That's not to say Fletcher hasn't done his bit creatively earlier in the campaign but he's had two absolute shockers in a row as we've really struggled to create chances: Naismith needs to be the lone striker for this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkoRaj Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Is your argument against Naismith that he missed a few sitters a year ago? I'd point out that Naismith hasn't had a single appearance at centre forward for Scotland since (ably supported by Snodgrass) he was man of the match at centre forward as we outclassed Croatia. Naismith offers awareness and a level of movement that Fletcher doesn't and our inability to create space or stretch the defence was the biggest factor in our failure to break Georgia down. Even if you argue (I'd contest it) that Fletcher's a better finisher than Naismith so you'd rather a chance fell to him, we're far more likely to create chances with Naismith's movement creating space for the three behind him. That's not to say Fletcher hasn't done his bit creatively earlier in the campaign but he's had two absolute shockers in a row as we've really struggled to create chances: Naismith needs to be the lone striker for this one. No I just think Naismith plays his best football behind a striker and Fletcher is better with his back to goal. If Snodgrass was available for the next 2 games I could see the point but he isn't so I just can't see why we would move Naismith forward to bring a lesser player in behind. Granted Fletcher has been worryingly poor but I still think I'd rather have naismith in an attacking midfield role. You've even said Naismith offers an ability to create space and get in behind. Who would provide that ability to get up in support and beyond Naismith if had to hold the ball up and bring others into play? I think I would rather have Naismith supporting Martin or Griffiths than play Naismith up front. The only reason I keep bringing up the missed chances is because some people have said that naismith is more likely to score goals therefore he should be the striker, which not only is a terrible argument, but is debatable anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callum-ayr Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 I would never advocate sticking Rhodes straight into the startin eleven but I still believe he has to be in the squad just as an extra option off the bench. Martin has had a very similar last few years and has been giving a good few chances for Scotland under Strachan. While I wouldn't say he should never get another chance, I feel it's time we gave Rhodes that chance, especially when there's a good chance we might be crying out for a goal late on against Poland Using the Gerogia game at Ibrox as an example, we had so much possession around the box and were crying out for a poacher to just take a chance. In the end, we scraped a win thanks to an own goal and could have blown it late on when they had a few chances. Yes, Fletcher suits the system we play best but when that system doesn't work, as it didn't in Tblisi, we need to have something else in reserve because otherwise, teams will find it too easy to play against us and we will get nowhere Wait, what system? The hope we don't concede and some how bundle the ball into the goal by any means necessary system? I'd cry and cancel the Gibraltar trip if Rhodes started upfront against Poland on his own. He's too attacking minded to suit this system Strachan plays. Until we produce someone better, Fletcher is our best striker at the minute with Naismith in behind him. You do realise he plays up front on his own for Blackburn, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
54_and_counting Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Defoe out injured, between fletcher and borini for a Sunderland start, and borini is picked, says it all about fletchers form Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordopolis Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Good article re our strikers: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/striking-omissions-in-scotland-s-quest-for-goals-1-3899438 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callum-ayr Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Good article re our strikers: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/striking-omissions-in-scotland-s-quest-for-goals-1-3899438 Gallagher hits the nil on the head. Strachan is too stubborn and that is why we won't get a result against Poland and it is why we won't even manage 3rd place, never mind qualify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordopolis Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Gallagher hits the nil on the head. Strachan is too stubborn and that is why we won't get a result against Poland and it is why we won't even manage 3rd place, never mind qualify. KG's view seems quite balanced: he doesn't call for Rhodes and McCormack to suddenly be thrown in against Poland from the off, but argues that we should always have a goalscorer in our squad. Though you could, I suppose, argue that WGS sees Griffiths as the goalscorer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callum-ayr Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 KG's view seems quite balanced: he doesn't call for Rhodes and McCormack to suddenly be thrown in against Poland from the off, but argues that we should always have a goalscorer in our squad. Though you could, I suppose, argue that WGS sees Griffiths as the goalscorer. Yeah, disagree with his view on Griffiths. I get the feeling he'll use him, like he has, the last 20 minutes type striker with pace. Is it tomorrow the squad is announced, or this week? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DAVIDB69 Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Lots of media outlets saying Kevin macdonald of Wolves will be in this squad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbieD Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 He's been playing centre back a lot. Not seen much of him in that position to judge though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Fifer Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 He's been playing centre back a lot. Not seen much of him in that position to judge though. After our defending the past couple of games I wouldn't be shocked if Strachan is looking at broadening his options defensively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 With Greer on the road to retirement, makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross. Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 With the Gibraltar game in mind as much as anything, I would be shocked if Rhodes isn't picked. He is on form and has a good record in the lower leagues of England. If we get a good result v Poland, I would expect us to take a few off Gibraltar anyway, but would feel more comfortable going into that game with Rhodes up front than Fletcher, despite his hat trick in the game at Hampden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordopolis Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Take it the squad comes out today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forameus Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 With the Gibraltar game in mind as much as anything, I would be shocked if Rhodes isn't picked. He is on form and has a good record in the lower leagues of England. If we get a good result v Poland, I would expect us to take a few off Gibraltar anyway, but would feel more comfortable going into that game with Rhodes up front than Fletcher, despite his hat trick in the game at Hampden. I see where you're coming from, but any one of our strikers - and our midfielders - should be good enough to take goals off of Gibraltar. If we're going into the Gibraltar game with something to play for, then we'll have gotten a good result against Poland, and confidence should be high. Then we play, if permitting, a similar side and we should steamroller Gibraltar and look to Warsaw for what happens there. But then, should we go out and get beat next Thursday, then I probably couldn't care less who plays against Gibraltar. Play Craig Gordon up front for all it matters. Take it the squad comes out today? Where you hearing that? Haven't seen any mention of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordopolis Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 I see where you're coming from, but any one of our strikers - and our midfielders - should be good enough to take goals off of Gibraltar. If we're going into the Gibraltar game with something to play for, then we'll have gotten a good result against Poland, and confidence should be high. Then we play, if permitting, a similar side and we should steamroller Gibraltar and look to Warsaw for what happens there. But then, should we go out and get beat next Thursday, then I probably couldn't care less who plays against Gibraltar. Play Craig Gordon up front for all it matters. Where you hearing that? Haven't seen any mention of it. Just guessing as it is usually after the round of domestic games that are played roughly 2 weeks before the international fixtures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quentin Taranbino Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 12pm tomorrow announcement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopio Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 going to be such an underwhelming squad can feel it, Strachan is far too stubborn and as said above that and that alone will be the reason we ultimately fail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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