101 replies to this topic

[pandamonk]

For this friendly, I'd go with a 4-2-3-1 of:

Matt Gilks

Phil Bardsley, Gary Caldwell, Christophe Berra, Charlie Mulgrew

Scott Brown, Charlie Adam

Matt Phillips, Barry Bannan, James Forrest

David Goodwillie

[Elchappy]

bripod, on 20 February 2012 - 03:24 PM, said:

Most of them are only in it because they know they'll never get a game for England.

you've got to pee wae the cock you've got.
Name an "English" player who has not played for the jersey? Secondly name the Scottish player who should be in the squad instead of the English player? In my view these players have improved the squad and we are seeing genuine progress under Levein. They may well know they wont get a game for England but then the same applies to almost every player in the squad.

[jaybee1978]

The Leeds United striker has scored 16 goals this season, but has not been included in Levein's plans for next week's friendly away to Slovenia.

He has not played for Scotland since the Carling Nations Cup last May and has questioned why other forwards have been selected ahead of him.

"I don't feel as if I will be in a squad no matter if I score goals or not," he told the Scottish Sun.

Hard to take

"It is hard to take as people keep telling me I am going to be in the next squad or should be in it.

"Meanwhile, you have Craig Mackail-Smith who is not playing for his club, Jamie Mackie is not playing for his club and David Goodwillie is not playing for his club.

"The only striker in the squad who is playing for his club is Kenny Miller.
"I'd understand if they'd scored a lot more goals than me, but they haven't. I have no idea why I am not in the squad."

McCormack claims he has tried unsuccessfully to contact national team scout Michael Oliver in the hope of finding out why he is being overlooked.

"I don't have a problem with Craig, I am just gutted I am not in his squad," added McCormack.

"I have been trying to phone Mick Oliver but he hasn't answered the phone to me.

"No-one will tell me why I haven't been in the last few squads."

Taken from sky sports news

[JHR]

"I don't have a problem with Craig, I am just gutted I am not in his squad," added McCormack.

"I have been trying to phone Mick Oliver but he hasn't answered the phone to me.

"No-one will tell me why I haven't been in the last few squads."

Does he need to know ? Does he think he should be an automatic selection ?

[Bundy]

He obviously feels he should be at least in the squad and TBH so do I. Levein puts a big emphasis on teamwork and the boys who have been brought in do offer that. McCormack has different qualities and maybe the manager is lookin for something a wee bit different right now. Frustrating for the player but all he can do is keep playing well and let it be known he's gagging to play

[jaybee1978]

JHR, on 21 February 2012 - 04:29 PM, said:

"I don't have a problem with Craig, I am just gutted I am not in his squad," added McCormack.

"I have been trying to phone Mick Oliver but he hasn't answered the phone to me.

"No-one will tell me why I haven't been in the last few squads."

Does he need to know ? Does he think he should be an automatic selection ?

I think if he was to find out why he is not being picked he at least then knows what he needs to do.

[Bundy]

jaybee1978, on 21 February 2012 - 04:44 PM, said:

I think if he was to find out why he is not being picked he at least then knows what he needs to do.

Probably a good point Jay, but as we know, Avril is a stubborn bastard and doesn't think he has to justify his selections

[Psychoheart]

Given Mr Picky won't call up Steven Fletcher for fairly petty reasons, they least they could do is return McCormack's calls. If not, it's just rather hypocritical.

Edited by Psychoheart, 22 February 2012 - 12:50 PM.

[craig]

JHR, on 21 February 2012 - 04:29 PM, said:

"I don't have a problem with Craig, I am just gutted I am not in his squad," added McCormack.

"I have been trying to phone Mick Oliver but he hasn't answered the phone to me.

"No-one will tell me why I haven't been in the last few squads."

Does he need to know ? Does he think he should be an automatic selection ?

interesting comments. I would think it would be nice for him to know, so he can make improvements to his game to be in with a chance of inclusion.

The game is on https://www.primetimelive.co.uk/ for £4.99.

[jaybee1978]

Psychoheart, on 22 February 2012 - 12:49 PM, said:

Given Mr Picky won't call up Steven Fletcher for fairly petty reasons, they least they could do is return McCormack's calls. If not, it's just rather hypocritical.

I think over the Fletcher situation his stance is clear. If Fletcher wants to be considered he needs to contact Levein.

[jaybee1978]

jaybee1978, on 20 February 2012 - 10:25 AM, said:

International Challenge Match
Slovenia v Scotland
Wednesday 29 February 2012, kick-off 8.45pm (7.45 pm UK time)
Bonifika Stadion, Koper

National coach Craig Levein has named a 24-player squad to face Slovenia in Koper next week.

Blackpool midfielder Matt Phillips and versatile Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew are called-up for the first time, while Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is included for the first time in almost a year as he returns from injury.

Squad in alphabetical order:

Charlie Adam (Liverpool)
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
Phil Bardsley (Sunderland)
Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Scott Brown (Celtic)
Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic)
Don Cowie (Cardiff City)
Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion)
James Forrest (Celtic)
Matt Gilks (Blackpool)
David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers)
Craig Gordon (Sunderland)
Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers)
Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Jamie Mackie (Queens Park Rangers)
Allan McGregor (Rangers)
Russell Martin (Norwich City)
Kenny Miller (Cardiff City)
James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion)
Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic)
Matt Phillips (Blackpool)*
Barry Robson (Middlesbrough)
Robert Snodgrass (Leeds United)

* Matt Phillips included subject to FIFA clearance

I think team will be as follows

McGregor
Hutton
Caldwell
Berra
Bardsley
Mackie
Brown
Adam
Bannan
Morrison
Miller

I expect Martin, Mulgrew, Snodgrass, Forrest and Goodwillie or Mackail-Smith will come off bench.

[Tartanandi]

I notice that goalscoring Ross McCormack and Steven Fletcher have been ignored in favour of mis-firing David Goodwillie and McKail-Smith.

[Elchappy]

Fletcher can GTF. Billy bigboots if you ask me.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Tartanandi, on 25 February 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

I notice that goalscoring Ross McCormack and Steven Fletcher have been ignored in favour of mis-firing David Goodwillie and McKail-Smith.

McCormack was a bit of a surprise but Fletcher has bridges to build IMO

[johnarob]

can see Brown being the first of a few call-offs....

mccormack has every right to ask the Q and i hope levein does the right thing and tell him why

on the assumption that brown withdraws we're really really weak in the middle in terms of ball winners so i'd see how the team could play from a footballing angle and i'd now go with

Gilks
Martin - Hanley - Mulgrew - Bardsley
Phillips - Morrison - Bannan - Dorrans - Snodgrass
Mackie

we know what McGregor/Hutton/Berra/Caldwell etc can offer so we need to find out first and foremost if the rest can be depended on

[jaybee1978]

I think if Brown is ruled out then Cowie will probably play.

[jaybee1978]

Wigan's James McArthur has been called in to squad to replace Scott Brown.

Phil Bardsley and Matt Philips are both rated doubtful but will join up with squad.

[Grumpy Old Man]

jaybee1978, on 27 February 2012 - 09:49 AM, said:

Wigan's James McArthur has been called in to squad to replace Scott Brown.

Phil Bardsley and Matt Philips are both rated doubtful but will join up with squad.

Brown/ Bardsley/ Phillips - out. According to Mark Benstead on Twitter

[jaybee1978]

Grumpy Old Man, on 27 February 2012 - 11:15 AM, said:

Brown/ Bardsley/ Phillips - out. According to Mark Benstead on Twitter

I saw Phillips was in the press shots for the new away kit which I thought was a bit weird. I thought they'd have gone for someone who has already played for us.

[pandamonk]

jaybee1978, on 27 February 2012 - 11:29 AM, said:

I saw Phillips was in the press shots for the new away kit which I thought was a bit weird. I thought they'd have gone for someone who has already played for us.

Maybe trying to provide that he's dedicated to Scotland. Anyway, with the Brown, Bardsley and Phillips out, and only McArthur brought in, I'd go for:

Matt Gilks

Russell Martin, Gary Caldwell, Christophe Berra, Charlie Mulgrew

Dow Cowie, Charlie Adam

Graham Dorrans, Barry Bannan, James Forrest

David Goodwillie

Although I expect that Levein will go for:

Allan McGregor

Alan Hutton, Gary Caldwell, Christophe Berra, Charlie Mulgrew

James Forrest, Barry Bannan, Charlie Adam, James Morrison, Jamie Mackie

Kenny Miller

which doesn't look too bad, but isn't overly exciting.

Edited by pandamonk, 27 February 2012 - 01:02 PM.