Council Juice

Interesting to see Shinnie and Ross in from the start. Hope it pays off. They deserve their chance and lets hope they have an impact.

really a must win game to stay in contention even at this early stage, so c'mon lads!

We seem to have a surplus of players up front and able to play on the wings. Might be an idea to punt someone like Rooney, get a bit of money in, and use it towards getting a strong recognised cnetre half. Getting someone like young Wilson at Rangers for a few months could be of benefit given there is no reserve league and 1st team games in a physical league would surely be seen to aid his development.

Thinking about it I'd probably be happy to go with 2nd line up there, although with Sanchez or Barrowman for Rooney.

A 4-3-3 me reckons. Esson Proctor - Bully - Munro - Golly Cox - Duncan/Stratford - McBain Foran - Sanchez - Barrowman

Spot on there IMO Starchief, I have no idea how Davidson managed to get in ahead of, well, anyone, for the Norway and Macedonia games. He was missing for the two Norway goals that came from open play which were both down his side. And had he remained on the pitch (not picked up injury) I very much doubt we'd have beaten Macedonia. Playing Alexander when more natural options like Hartley are available. Would have made more sense to play Weir and S Caldwell with G Caldwell infront against Norway to pick up headers. We looked way too easy to pick apart. I just dont think McLeish or Smith would have allowed the Boyd or Boozegate scandal to happen, at least not anywhere near to the extent they did. Ferguson and McGregor were being really stupid and immature during the Iceland game but the whole thing was blown way way out of proportion(much in the same way the press leapt on Burley after certain games). I reckon a public apology via press conference would have done. Perhaps with a charitable donation from the players or something. Boyd has probably made a choice he may live to regret in years to come. Whether it was the right one is entirely up to him. I wouldnt be one to make a choice like that. But I'd be raging if with his goal scoring pedigree I was left out behind Steven Fletcher and Iwelumo. He might only score against the smaller teams. Norway, Macedonia and Iceland are hardly world beaters though. I also agree that Scotland can't play an overly expansive open style. I dont understand the notion that Burley is aiming for more attractive football. His teams and this Scotland one are nearly always pretty dire to watch. Mcleishs Scotland team scored alot of goals (sure it was like a 2 per game ratio) and conceded far less also. It may have been more cautious but even still it was better to watch. Anyway we play Japan soon. We drew against them 3 years ago. Since then they haven't got any better IMO so if they defeat us we know we'll have went backwards.

It would also make Bobby Moore top drawer but he was rank. Likewise, Mourinho and Sacchi never played professionally (pretty much anyway), whilst the likes of Walter Smith was decidedly below average. Sorry what I mean is if Pressley had enough of a coaching pedigree, ie none, before he got the job then MacAllister can hardly be considered lucky to be offered the same job considering he has far greater coaching experience.

Oh dear a little jealous are we? But seriously, I have no idea how happy or unhappy McBain is just now, but I am led to believe that a certain large SPL sent scouts to the Albion game just to look at Cox. I'll give you a clue, they play in blue. St Johnstone :D

I think he could be a decent coach but it's well known a good coach doesnt always make a good manager. If Pressley had enough to do it though then MacAllister is probably over qualified. Get an experienced head in. Why not try Archie Knox or someone like that. Or a coach at club level who could do work with the squad when they're together.

Gary Mac has turned down the chance to be the assistant coach on a part time basis saying he's looking for a full time job in England. Cant say I blame him. Helping destroy any chance of Scotland getting to a finals tournament is hardly going to shine on his CV and I can imagine thats what will happen with Burley still as manager. I'll always support the team, the players... my country, but I have no faith in the man in charge.

Just shows how much influence the big clubs have in the corridors of power. Justs sends out the message that if you get caught and banned for blatant cheating, hey as long as you appeal, you'll get off scot-free. And the ironic thing is he scored the winner for Arsenal last night.

Take off your tri-colored specs and tell me what better Scottish finishers we have around at the minute then? He's Going Nowhere... Yes, he is the best finisher in Scotland but its not overly hard considering he rarely scores against the big guns. He is too lazy and doesnt do anything exept score a tap in when everone elts does the work which isnt acceptible in International football Yeah but kenny miller does more than enough running around for both of them ( and he couldnt muster a single goal in 8 competitive internationals) so that more than evens out. Fair enough boyd is not the complete striker. You forget he's a Scot, playing in Scotland. Not Barcalona et al. Faddy aint perfect either contrary to popular believe. Have you ever seen him pass the ball? It doesnt happen often. Boyd has been the top Scottish scorer in Scotland for the last 4 years. He has vastly improved his work rate imho and in Walter and McCoists opinion as well as a good few pundits out there. He doesnt just score tap ins. A few are at least 12 yards out. (He actually has a very good strike from range and I can think of a fair few peaches.) I think he was an utter twit for his behaviour but as I've said before, Im all for 2nd chances. Especially with his strike rate.

Every challenge could be considered a potential leg breaker in that case then. Not every player reacts with trying to stamp on his assailents head. The ref is the one employed to deal with what are considered dangerous or crude challenges.

Fair point that. Doubt any change to league structure would be made before the deal with Sky/ESPN runs out due to the share reasoning

I'm not saying excuse the Arsenal fans. I've never been to a game and been that incensed I need to violently attack someone. Never mind throw a seat. But once people get into a crowd mentality. Possibly with a few drinks prior. And a direct challenge or provocation is thrown in your face it can be very difficult to control a groups emotive response.

I'd like to see 2 leagues of 18. From there 2 semi pro/amateur leagues (ie Northern League, and Southern) with the top 2 from each being promoted to the 2nd flight. Once a team is relegated they would be allocated to the most suited league (ie the two most southernly to the South league and nothern to North) The bottom 3 from the SPL would be relegated. The top two from the "Championship" promoted automatically with the next 4 going into a play off. Semi played home and away. Final at Hampden. Winner goes up. Top 2 in SPL go for Champ league, Rest Europa league. With only the Scottish cup winners getting into Europe (nothing for runners up - if a team in a league placing already qualifying for Europe wins cup, the next best place team in league gets it)

I thought the challenge on his former team mate was attrocious. Nearly blinded him. And in no way was it an accident. You see him moving to position himself then making the stamping motion. His eyes are focused at his target and his teeth gritted. No doubt he knew what he was doing. That in itself merits a 3 game ban for violent conduct. Then he runs the whole length of the pitch to celebrate in front of his old fans. Sure they might have been chanting songs about him. Some not very nice. But is he that thick to know that a blatant form of disrespect. A challenge (open arms) to the fans is not going to reult in a little annoyance. He had absolutely no regard for the safety of fans or the Stewards trying to control them. Had that been an old firm game he'd probably be charged with inciting a riot. Thats what he did. A Steward was clean knocked out and hospitalised. It could have been worse. And the most they're considering is a 6 match ban. I'd see 6 months as more fitting. Throw the book at him. Pro football players only think about themselves and never their actions. These guys are meant to be role models? I dont see how Cantona's was any worse. He at least targeted a solitary racist tit.

I like this idea. Not every kid is into football mind. Some like other sports. Some hate sports altogether (though I do think exercise is a must - healthy body healthy mind etc) A national centre of excellence perhaps. A multi million state of the art complex right in the middle of the country. For all sports(well except darts and other pub games perhaps). Think Austrailia, think clair fontaine in France If the Scottish government can spend upwards of ?100m on that hideous building at Hollyrood they can do the same for our sporting heritage. In fact take it a step further. Have it as a academy of sorts. Adopt an american philosophy in which grades are important (in case they dont make it, injuries etc) The kids get schooling and the best coaching. The poorer children getting scolarships if they have ability in a sporting field. Then when the kids are 17 the clubs can come along and draft them for a fixed prepaid fee. Have a random draft draw like the MLS. So say randomly ICT get 1st pick and so on. All contracts would be the same unless a buying club bought out the contract from the drafting team or something along those lines (with a further percentage of that transfer fee going to the academy) Then put me in charge (my idea after all) and pay me a ridiculous sum of money for being the face of the operation.

Nah, half of the team retired before Vogts came in. I think only Dailly, Weir and Ferguson come to mind as main stays of the team by the time he came in. As I recall (i think), Craig Burley and Hendry were 2 of several to retire. Then the likes of Lambert and Don Hutchison were coming to the end of their international careers. As was Billy Dodds. Vogts really had to go scouring to find players. And alot of absolute pap he did find (Robbie Stockdale anyone?) I distinctly remember there was a point when Stevie Crawford got injured and the nation was in a panic such was out bereftment of strikers. By the time Vogts left Gordon, McFadden, Miller and Darren Fletcher were all regulars and still are today. McLeish left the nation on a high despite our final hurdle failure many were optimistic that the team had many promising elements. We had a strong core and a decent reserve, as well as a few promising younger players ready to step up. Burley did not have alot to do in terms of squad alteration when he came in. He didnt have to lift moral. It was at a 10 year high (like our world ranking being at an all time high). But he did tinker and I think it didnt help moral. Moral has dropped through poor form, stroppy players and press involvement. I fail to see what improvement Burley has made to the previous regime. He's improved his own regime but thats not saying much.

I like that idea too - unfortunately probably not enough Highland players of quality for an spl team. However as senior team in the area it's probably our duty to train and nurture any young talent in the area with a view to the future. No I'd have to disagree there. Its not our job in my opinion. That duty befalls Ross County. We on the other hand have the task of selecting their best and taking them, after RC have done all the hard work with the development.

You sure about that? And he surges into the lead....

What is Holland then? Something like Alba? (A name for an older smaller Scotland) Ceases to be?

Even individually the caldwell brothers are never brilliant. Gary is a decent ball playing centre half and steven can put himself about but both together or otherwise are distinctly average. McManus is like a better Steven Caldwell in style. Berra has much more potential. David Weir should always be considered ahead of one of them. His reading of the game is immense. Made a slip v dutch but i think even had he missed the header the dutch boy was getting to it 1st. And yes he got caught out but it was a long punt. Very un dutch like. Would suprise most. Its a shame Webster had the problems at Hearts and then a catelogue of injuries at Rangers as he could have been great for Scotland. If Kris Boyd was to come back into the fold and start banging in important goals and showing the work ethic he has since the fall out (believe me it's improved dramatically.) then I'd be fine with it. Everyone is entitled to a 2nd chance. Especially one who has 7/8 goal in 13 appearances. Of which 1 i can remember was a penalty. Maybe 2. But If I was a Gers fan I'd love him taking my penalties.

1 result springs to mind Austrailia 34 - 0 American Samoa 0. I think at one point they lost count. Genuinely. Anyway, Yes there are probably players in Africa but its very difficult to get a work permit for alot of these guys. I've always thought the Skandinavian market was ther to be tapped. Forget Norway though. No one in Norway is on low wages. Even if the living costs are vastly higher. I think it's more about having a good network of scouts rather than picking a specific area of the globe. Talent can arise anywhere.

Yeah but by the time the world cup comes round it'll have been 44 years. Its not much to brag about. Winning on home soil after an easy run to final and then a little help from officials to beat the better team. :angry: And ICT aint been around for 40 years never mind bragged about results for that long. The English are a race. Race is not only defined by colour. Rivalry based on nationality is a form of racism. The same as rivalry based on colour. If I came on here and said "I absolutely want China to lose to anyone they play in sport. I hate them. They think they are better than us and their media is far to nationalistic" that's racism, the hatred of a group of people, based on where they come from. Same goes for England but that's alright for some reason. However, this is way off topic and I shouldn't have brought it up. They have a good chance, if they can finally mix it with the top, daddy teams. The English are not a race, they like us are a nationality. Rivalry based on nationality is not racism. It is a natural clan reaction inbuilt in all colonial animals such as homo sapiens. And the irational dislike of other nationalities is xenophobia. Most dislike for the English tends to have some rational :021: Now the definition of racism - ? 1 the belief that there are characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to each race. 2 discrimination against or antagonism towards other races. Interesting Anyway this is I AGREE way off topic and getting into territory that im sure site moderators look to avoid. So I think England have a chance yes. I dont really want them to win though because they will just rub it in our faces for 40 years. Besides I forgot to mention Germany as contenders in a previous post and you can NEVER write of the Germans.