Tonight we have a friendly in the build up to our 1st Nations League game on Monday v Albania
No idea why we’re plying this friendly before that game. It surely can’t be a confidence building exercise as Belgium will absolutely horse us. So it makes no sense
Anyway, the Nations League represents a fall-back opportunity to qualify for the Euros. As a group C team this gives us a reasonable chance providing we can take care of Albania and Israel and top group C1. A round robin play-off amd final with the winners from C1, C2, C3 and C4 (ala the Scottish Championship play offs) will see the winner seal a place at the Euros
It’s the start of a new campaign and an opportunity for some new faces to grab their opportunity and get us to a major finals. As ever it’s more in hope than expectation
But Wales lead the way, with a young inexperienced team, last night and turned in a sensational performance to utterly horse ROI.
Rookie manager Giggs was brave and adventurous and tore Martin O’Neil’s ROI to ribbons. Never seen MON so timid and contrite in a post match interview.
Wales are blessed with a couple of fantastic players in Bale amd Ramsay. But it’s not all about them. To say it is would be disservice to the expansive confident performance of their young guns
The question is if Big Eck can get us playin with the same intensity, energy and confidence as Wales showed last night. They’ve shown you don’t need World class players from 1-11. It would be great to have 1 of course. But the template is there
We’ve too often feared the opposition and not approached games in a manner that exudes confidence. We tend to try to contain than create; and defend than dominate. Maybe time to let the shackles off and allow players to flourish and enjoy the experience. It’s been 20 years of tried, tested and failed.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of confidence that Big Eck will lead us to a major tourney. He’s not the type of manager that goes for expansive, high press football. He part of the old guard that play boring football. And I think it will be more of the same. More hope than expectation
All being fit, what is our best 11 and formation ?
Nations League
posted on 7/9/18
comment by Ghod#18 (U9390)
posted 36 minutes ago
but then the SFA would lose money using the grounds would they not?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Possibly.
I've come down on the side of not using Hampden for Scotland games anymore. It would be hugely sad but I don't think it's fit for purpose.
posted on 7/9/18
I don't think Hampden should really be first choice for any big events. It should be the option considered if things like Murrayfield Ibrox and Celtic Park aren't available and for smaller scale matches where its not expecting a big attendance use Tynecastle Pittodrie and stuff
posted on 7/9/18
comment by Miller Going for 5-5 (U9310)
posted 2 seconds ago
I don't think Hampden should really be first choice for any big events. It should be the option considered if things like Murrayfield Ibrox and Celtic Park aren't available and for smaller scale matches where its not expecting a big attendance use Tynecastle Pittodrie and stuff
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hampden is a soulless shambles. Play games where the crowd are right on top of the pitch. The more intimidating for away teams the better
posted on 7/9/18
comment by Esctosh Mc2Names (U8215)
posted 43 seconds ago
comment by Miller Going for 5-5 (U9310)
posted 2 seconds ago
I don't think Hampden should really be first choice for any big events. It should be the option considered if things like Murrayfield Ibrox and Celtic Park aren't available and for smaller scale matches where its not expecting a big attendance use Tynecastle Pittodrie and stuff
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hampden is a soulless shambles. Play games where the crowd are right on top of the pitch. The more intimidating for away teams the better
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And it's terrible for anyone travelling - getting into and especially out of Hampden is a nightmare.
posted on 7/9/18
getting into and especially out of Hampden is a nightmare.
This
Not enough is made of this imo, it's a shambles trying to get out of Hampden after a big game. You generally need to walk about 30 minutes before any sort of transport is readily able to move more than 5 feet.
posted on 7/9/18
Redeveloping Hampden would be better imo. Wonder how much it would cost to make it decent for football.
No point giving SFA money to the egg chasers at Murrayfield.
posted on 7/9/18
comment by NNH (U10730)
posted 15 minutes ago
getting into and especially out of Hampden is a nightmare.
This
Not enough is made of this imo, it's a shambles trying to get out of Hampden after a big game. You generally need to walk about 30 minutes before any sort of transport is readily able to move more than 5 feet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It used to take me longer to get onto the motorway than it took me to get from the motorway to Dundee.
posted on 7/9/18
comment by HB Fash (U21935)
posted 4 minutes ago
Redeveloping Hampden would be better imo. Wonder how much it would cost to make it decent for football.
No point giving SFA money to the egg chasers at Murrayfield.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If its cheaper than redeveloping hampden then I think a good reason to do it.
And in my opinion even needing to redevelop hampden is a disgrace as its not even 20 years since it was last done.
posted on 7/9/18
They typically made a mess of the redevelopment of Hampden. We could have had a stadium like the Millenium, instead we got a shiny new stand and the pitch miles away from the fans.
posted on 7/9/18
Just about to paint the saltire on my face.....see you jimmy wig - check....kilt - check.....East Stirlingshire season ticket - naw
I was that close to being in then tartan army
Not interested in games like this, only worry that Tic players get injured