101 replies to this topic

[pandamonk]

With the friendly with Slovenia now just 3 weeks away, I thought it would be a good time to see what squad you think Levein should choose. I'd go for a squad of:

GK Allan McGregor, Craig Gordon, Matthew Gilks
DF Phil Bardsley, Gary Caldwell, Christophe Berra, Danny Wilson, Alan Hutton, Alex Pearce, Grant Hanley, Lee Wallace
MF Darren Fletcher, Barry Bannan , Charlie Adam, Don Cowie, Scott Brown, James Morrison, James Forrest, Graham Dorrans
FW Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack, Jordan Rhodes, Jamie Mackie,David Goodwillie

I'd go for a 4-2-3-1 formation which can switch to 3-2-3-2 when going forward, or even 2-2-4-2. Like so:

Edited by pandamonk, 09 February 2012 - 12:46 AM.

[jaybee1978]

I wouldn't have Craig Gordon just now as he is not playing first team football. Darren Fletcher won't be in squad as he is out with injury. I'm not sure about Danny Wilson either as he has only played a couple games for Blackpool it seems. I think Jordan Rhodes will probably be in under 21 squad with us having an important
qualifier against Netherlands.

I think Charlie Mulgrew might be due a call up. Russell Martin of Norwich might be in squad. Cammy Bell might be deserving of a call up. I also reckon Craig Mackail-Smith and Kenny Miller will be in squad.

Edited by jaybee1978, 09 February 2012 - 01:10 AM.

[pandamonk]

jaybee1978, on 09 February 2012 - 01:07 AM, said:

I wouldn't have Craig Gordon just now as he is not playing first team football. Darren Fletcher won't be in squad as he is out with injury. I'm not sure about Danny Wilson either as he has only played a couple games for Blackpool it seems. I think Jordan Rhodes will probably be in under 21 squad with us having an important
qualifier against Netherlands.

I think Charlie Mulgrew might be due a call up. Russell Martin of Norwich might be in squad. Cammy Bell might be deserving of a call up. I also reckon Craig Mackail-Smith and Kenny Miller will be in squad.

Very true. I agree with pretty much everything. I forgot about Fletcher being out. I think Danny Wilson will be in the U21 squad too, although he has been playing quite regularly since joining Blackpool. I think if Levein shows faith in Gordon, including him in the squad, even if he doesn't even include him on the bench, then it might help him get his career back on track.

[pandamonk]

However, I don't think Mackail-Smith is really deserving of a place, with only 8 goals in 37 games. I'd rather have Kenny Miller with 12 in 34, Leigh Griffiths with 8 in 22, Jamie Murphy with 10 in 27, Johnny Russell with 11 in 28 or Garry O'Connor with 12 in 25.

[pandamonk]

In the animated starting line-up, shown above, I'd replace Darren Fletcher with Scott Brown and Danny Wilson with Charlie Mulgrew.

[Bundy]

I WOULD play Jordan Rhodes even though we have the U21 game. Levein should show confidence in the kid. He only gave him a couple of minutes last time so I think giving him at least 45mins would help keep his confidence high.

[Psychoheart]

Definitely want to see some new faces in the squad. If you can't do it in friendlies well away from qualification, when can you do it?

[craig]

Psychoheart, on 09 February 2012 - 12:22 PM, said:

Definitely want to see some new faces in the squad. If you can't do it in friendlies well away from qualification, when can you do it?

If only they could make friendlies exempt from the rankings, because im sure that is why managers are so reluctant to experiment.

[Psychoheart]

craig, on 09 February 2012 - 12:27 PM, said:

If only they could make friendlies exempt from the rankings, because im sure that is why managers are so reluctant to experiment.

We should play diddies then. One of our best games in recent years was the win over the Faroe Islands up in Aberdeen. We played an experimental side, tried a few things, and still won comfortably.

[Bundy]

It gives a false picture though, which is why we should play teams of similar if not slightly better ranking than ourselves whenever possible.

Eg. Kris Boyd looked devastating in the SPL but failed against every quality team he played against.

Unless we pit our players against decent quality we can't see their true value

[jaybee1978]

I think they should have the under 21 games on different days from full team. There are a few of our players who could be included in both squads. It would be good for our youngsters to win group and play in Euro under 21 tournament and test themselves against the best in their age group.

It would be also be good for them to be involved in 1st team squad though so they have experience before qualifiers start.

[Bundy]

jaybee1978, on 09 February 2012 - 03:39 PM, said:

I think they should have the under 21 games on different days from full team. There are a few of our players who could be included in both squads. It would be good for our youngsters to win group and play in Euro under 21 tournament and test themselves against the best in their age group.

It would be also be good for them to be involved in 1st team squad though so they have experience before qualifiers start.

I agree Jay. Some of the lads are in the stage of breaking from the U21s to the A Squad so should have the option of playing for both or at least being involved with both squads

[jaybee1978]

Bundy, on 09 February 2012 - 08:32 PM, said:

I agree Jay. Some of the lads are in the stage of breaking from the U21s to the A Squad so should have the option of playing for both or at least being involved with both squads

It used to be that the under 21 match would be day before full team played. That seems to have changed since the clubs got their own way.

[pandamonk]

Tickets for the U21 match are priced at £6/£2 and £8/£2 on the day. Think I might head along.

I agree with experimenting in friendlies, however U21 players are needed for the important U21 match.

Maybe I'd include Chris Burke instead of James Forrest. He seems to be doing well in the Championship.

[jaybee1978]

I wonder whether Dundee United's Gary Mackay-Steven may be worth a call up. He is left sided, seems to have a few tricks and is not scared to take on a man. He has pace also and seems to have the ability to pick a pass too.

[jaybee1978]

Blackpool's winger Matt Phillips is expected to be called up. He has represented England at under 19 and 20 level. He qualifies to play for Scotland as his grandfather was born in Ayrshire.

[danstriker]

I thought the boy Phillips would wait for England. He is a really good prospect.

[pandamonk]

The same day as the Slovenia friendly, Scotland U21s are playing Holland U21s. Tickets are just £6 if you book in advance or £8 on the day. I'm going

[jaybee1978]

pandamonk, on 16 February 2012 - 10:39 PM, said:

The same day as the Slovenia friendly, Scotland U21s are playing Holland U21s. Tickets are just £6 if you book in advance or £8 on the day. I'm going

There is an under 21 thread on here too. I fancied it but I'm on back shift

[pandamonk]

jaybee1978, on 16 February 2012 - 10:41 PM, said:

There is an under 21 thread on here too. I fancied it but I'm on back shift

Oops, missed it. Shame, it's an important youth game