OK....I've been King Walters biggest critic and considering the result on Thursday I reckon an evaluation of Walters tactics have to be analysed.
Looking at the actual team prior to the game surprised me. I was awaiting a make-shift team, mostly involving individuals eagerly awaiting their first full cap. What I noticed instead was a make-shift team mostly involving individuals eagerly awaiting their first full cap "playing in their domestic postions." Try and remember that one Walter.....ask their managers!! Fletcher. Without Ferguson trying and failing to dictate the midfield we had Fletcher dictating the midfield in what was easily "Man of the Match" material. Without Ferguson, Fletcher is a fcuking star who is hindered by the inclusion of Ferguson. His distribution was far superior to Feguson and this may be the kick up the arse needed for Barry. Barry is a good player, but does not deserve to be an automatic choice for Scotland because his domestic performances are poor. Boyd is a poacher and nothing more........and he is exactly what Scotland have been crying out for. I think with him in the team, the stray balls accross the box that we always wish someone could latch on to would at least have someone on the end of them. Burke is very impressive. I noticed that when Rangers played Villareal, they could not handle him. The guy would be a thorn against any team. McFadden is ball greedy. We all know that, but god the guy is at least exciting and worth watching. I am more concerned about his brain-storms than his "it's ma baw" syndrom. Teale "who the fcuck is Teal" was involved in everything. Enough said on that guy. He deserves respect.
Add that to Maloney, Hartley, O’Connor, Miller, Pearson how many more forward thinking players do we need?
I don't care for the "Bulgaria had 7 players missing" crap!! We had an entire team missing, unfortunately the team we had missing on Thursday are normally pressumed missing during the games they are actaully playing in!!
I am not kidding myself on here. I realise that this was a friendly and should not be taken seriously, but judging Thursdays individuals against our usual line-up, I know who I would rather pay to see.
I will also add that the result against Japan will not change what I have said above.
With Japan having a four day rest and the abuse that they received from their press, I think the Scots will be up against it. But I will stand by the above post. Play the players in their proper posotions and don't include the standard issue.
footnote:- I do applaud SGE for picking a 17 year old in his WC squad. We have had a player who should have been included since he was that age, but the SFA training programme seems to think that Maloney should not be included untill he is near retirement!!
