starchief

I don't see the need for three tacklers in a 5-man midfield. Drop Thomson and put Dorrans central, with McFadden out left. Then Boyd (or Fletcher) up front can be supported by both these players at every opportunity.

Bizarro World! Scotland win. Egypt lose (although England's third was miles offside - pretty good showing by Egypt - could have gone either way)

...but dominated the game, getting chance after chance when on other days, we could have scored four or five, whilst conceding goals when there was barely an attack against us.

McFadden injured - Dorrans in.

I think Dorrans is out left and a middle three of Thomson, Brown and Fletcher. Seems to me that we're missing someone that can pass a ball in that mid three. Thomson to defend, whilst both Fletcher and Brown can do the fetching and carrying. No-one really with any passing vision though. Probably Robson's the closest but he's stuck out on the right. It'll be interesting to see how Webster performs. Hopefully Caldwell's back to last season's form, instead of the headless chicken from earlier this (despite being a no nonsense central defender, Mowbray's teams always seem defensively disorganised). Quite happy with Hutton and Wallace, with Whittaker also pushing. I would have put Boyd on from the start. Conventional wisdom says he can't play upfront on his own, yet on the rare occasion he has, he's done well. Maybe Levein just wants to keep it tight, then go for 2-up front when he has a handle on the game. Personally, I'd have told Dorrans to support Boyd more, rather than as a winger. I also think Miller could play that role too.

I'll stick with last week's line up. Seems like we hammered them despite the scoreline. I know that's the most important thing but surely we can't be that unlucky again?

I thought Gillespie was just away on loan? I forgot Odhiambo too. I wouldn't say any of them were essential to the team. Even Eric would be no big loss. He probably adds something from the bench, so as long as that's his role and cost, then stick him in the negotiable column. Can't say anything about the rest as I can't remember seeing any of them.

As the article says, Butcher is now to look at contracts of the players. So who should stay and who should go? For me, my players would be (although I know some already have contracts): ESSENTIAL Tokely, Proctor & Munro (the heart), Rooney, Hayes & Cox (the future) IMPORTANT Esson & Foran (but I wonder if their wages will be too much), Sanchez (unless we can get a genuine attacking mid like Vigurs from somewhere) NEGOTIATE Bulvitis, Duff, Gillespie, Ross & Shinnie (none the finished article but all look very promising), Duncan (SFL1 level but if his wage demands are too high, not a huge loss), Eagle (looked good early on - as long as he's on a developing young player's wage, it might be worth a punt, but not on higher wages), Stratford (again, only on fringe players wages - decent utility player for the bench), Allison (any better around for the same price?) OFFSKI Golabek (Probably Elgin level now), Djebi-Zadi (unless we play with wing-backs, his style can't be used), McBain (good servant but time's up) REQUIRED A left-back. Attacking midfielder. I've no problem with Tokely at centre-back, so either a right-back or central defender - even if only as cover. Naturally replacements for those leaving.

My view is pretty much the stability issue too. Things are starting to come together. There are some lads who might stay (Hayes and Cox, in particular) then decide they like it as much as people like Black, Tokely, Duncan etc. I certainly wouldn't mind a few more years of Cox, Bully, Hayes and Rooney developing, whilst Munro, Proctor, Tokely and, who knows, maybe Foran and Esson, hold it all together.

Uninspired stuff. Looks a bit like the French league teams.

Motherwell ... which I believe is the only other time that he and MM have teamed up and as discussed on here previously, together they seem to make a good partnership but apart, they are both a little lost ! I'd also give him Coventry. Thought he did a great job there and his sacking was greeted with disbelief at the time. The following managerial teams showed how well Butcher did too. His reign at teams like Brentford and Sydney were so short, I don't think he can really shoulder too much blame. I'm pretty sure the vote above would have been reversed if it was held after only a few months. Let him get his feet under the table, his own players and his own system. Only then can a manager be judged. Not on someone else's team.

Unfortunately, I rarely get to see him but when I have, he looks like a forward that's playing in a midfield role. Have Vigurs or Black in the advanced mid position, with Sanchez off the main striker, then that's probably his position.

That'll be why Manchester City supporters are always glad United keep winning the trophies if they can't. After all, they're all in the same country, same county and same political authority. They're more than neighbours - they share the same house. Ditto for Rangers/Celtic, Everton/Liverpool, Bristol City/Rovers, Hearts/Hibs etc etc etc. No? Friendly rivalry is what football is about. Sure some take it too seriously. It's not a war, just a sport. England are our biggest rivals. Germany are theirs. We like to see these teams lose. It's what the fun of football's all about. I don't see teams as representing political governments, rather the spirit of their footballing nation. For a start, it's usually the people of that country that suffer most by their governments. So who's being supported? The people of the government? If Italy plays South Africa, I'll be cheering on SA. Ok, the country may have more poverty, murders, corruption etc but I don't like the defensive style Italy has. And that's what it's all about - football.

Couldn't have gone a bit earlier could you :D

Oh yeah, Barrowboy scores now! grrrr!

What the...?

Really? I hadn't been following the story that much (tried to avoid it TBH but it's impossible) but that changes everything.

Sheesh!

Then why hasn't the club paid all his signing on fee, which isn't even dependant upon his transfer? And everything I've read and heard says the exact opposite. The club instigated his leaving and Marius chose which club. :huh: the arranger organises. The instigator starts. No reason why they both must be the same.

Very different scenario to Boyd, Weir etc. Bridge comes out with a lot of dignity, whilst Terry looks more and more shameful. I actually think Bridge would be more missed than Terry. With Cole injured, who will be LB? Baines? Warnock? Not a great choice. But there are a few decent English centre-backs around.

I agree. Sanchez is really a forward. Cox is really a defensive mid. It's a definite weak point. I'm hoping Cox will shake them up enough for Sanchez to work a few tricks in the second half.

Pretty much the same as it was, except that attacking centre mid position is a real trouble. A huge gap that' never been filled since both Black and Vigurs left. So, I'm going to push Cox further forward and see what he can do. Sanchez probably on there in the second half. Esson Tokely - Munro - Bully - Golly Duncan - Proctor Hayes - Cox - Foran Rooney

I am joking. Just a bit of fun with a few might haves.

How about this for a Scotland alternative team, give or take a few months in someone's case, or change of allegiance in another: McGregor Broadfoot - Weir - McManus - Fox McCarthy - Ferguson - Stewart - Driver Riordan - McCormack I don't think there's much to choose between the teams.

I thought Kenneth was terrific against Celtic. Best defender on the park. I'd certainly would have had Riordan in my team. And Ross McCormack. I know he had an injury and is now playing on the wing but he was terrific for Scotland. I do think this is one of the weakest Scotland squads I have ever seen.