Rousseau

I was intrigued by the formation, 5-4-1 (or 5-2-3), but we just played it the same as any other formation; dependent on merely getting the ball wide, with 'full-back' and winger combining to get a cross in. Do we really not know how to play any other way? Contrast that with Costa Rica, who played the exact same, building-up through the back, interchanges, one-twos throughout the team, and getting in-behind. Their goal was very well worked. Costa Rica have a smaller population than us and they have better tactical awareness and better technical players. I've always been a fan of Bryan Ruiz; elegant player. It's going to take a major cultural change to move on from this crap. Night and day with the Germany-Spain match. Germany were stuck in the past for a while there and made a conscious decision to change; they're now bearing the fruits of that with some delightful, dynamic, moving through the lines, play; the movement is just terrific.

True, they've been very consistent. I just don't see anything special offensively. They're well-organised, and clearly effective, but I think they've had good groups, although not easy by any means -- time will tell if they can replicate it. I think that's where we fall down. We can be well-organised and defensive, scraping a good result against decent sides, then completely fail against those we'd expect to beat; it is, as you say, the offensive side of it where we struggle, as it's just too predictable and one-dimensional. Give Lagerback time! Norway have a good bunch of players there; solid squad, without having any superstar -- Odegaard comes close, but he's still too young.

I think tactics has a lot to do with it too. The Dutch are predictable; they've not moved forward, despite still having one of the top squads in world football.

It is the right decision; he's nowhere near the first-team. Shame, really. He's a talented footballer, but the body just can't keep up with the mind anymore.

That's not back on topic...

Did Boyd actually say the "simple old fashioned way"? It will get you so far, like NIR; it should be something we can implement. I think Wales -- although it's a lot to do with Bale for them -- and Iceland are a tad more progressive, though; in terms of what they bring offensively. That's why they've went that little bit further. Iceland are actually incredibly fluid, changing from 4-4-2, to 4-5-1, to 4-1-3-2, to 4-3-3 (there was even an article I recall had them in a 3-3-2-2 in the build-up phase, which changed quickly). It's always focused, targeted tactics. And, Wales employ 3-4-1-2, which suits their players; at the very least it gives opponents something to think about. NIR's performance had an element of luck, for me (they were still effective, though). To be honest, it's the offensive side of the game we struggle with. We can set up defensively, and have done most of the time. Our offensive game is predictable and one-dimensional. There are no real alternatives in that regard. We should be doing much better than what we are.

Clearly I'm not, but it's not his fault or problem; he's a product of his generation. We need someone/something new.

I'm apathetic towards the National team, but I would never go that far. I'm a little more receptive with McLeish and the newer generation being given a chance, hopefully. And, Rangers players in the squad helps too.

They even have Ramsay and Allen, who are better than anything we have too. John played Left Wing-back, with a back-three. As sad as it is to say, Wales even have a more modern way of playing than us; that's one of the reasons they've done so well too. We're stuck in a rut; it's the same old same old.

Scotland have better squad depth, but Wales have better individual quality.

I'm equally as nervous as that, but because of that I can't not look. I need to see what's going on so I can release a few expletives; as a catharsis.

A Martinez-Rodgers Old Firm game would end 5-5!

I thought Pedro was kind of in the middle; not enough of either to make a difference. He had his principles but did change it to suit certain games. Clearly he wasn't good at either. It's an interesting point. Clarke would be the obvious pragmatist. It's more short-term, which we could do with. I still prefer to look more long-term. The Idealist would bring a better tactical style, and also build upon our Academy, which is what we really need to do. Even in that article, Rodgers is an Idealist too, so it can clearly work in Scotland.

I'm not convinced Martinez is a realistic option, but a man can dream...

I would be ecstatic with Martinez -- or someone akin to him -- but he'll not be everyone's cup of tea: Roberto Martínez and Brendan Rodgers: the flawed disciples of Pep Guardiola https://www.theguardian.com/football/these-football-times/2016/mar/07/roberto-martinez-brendan-rodgers-pep-guardiola-everton-liverpool It's too long to post, but it's an interesting read.

I was too brief; I meant how in terms of the type of pass and where they are passing and who to etc.

I'm astonished there's even been contact!

Apologies; I stand corrected. Someone posted it was the assistant, and that made sense -- kind of -- as I really can't believe Martinez is a realistic option. Great if true. Even if we're making contact to enquire sounds excellent.

I agree. He has nearly been appointed Swansea and Wigan manager, I think. He's well regarded though, and working with Martinez for so long has to have been good for him. But yes, no experience as a manager. I can't see Martinez being a realistic option.

No. Pep's philosphy is based on Juego de Posicion: were players have specific tasks and responsibilities within a zoned pitch depending on the phase of the game. He literally instructs the players to take up a position and what they must do, and then how the others move to compensate. Up to the 18-yard box where it comes down to the player to put it in the net. Henry has talked about it; how he was yelled at for moving out of his position, despite actually scoring, because it hampered the rest of the team. I'm not criticising Murty; he's done a good job. I agree with your sentiments regarding the Celtic game, although he take the blame too for not being able to change it. I'm just stating compo's Pep analogy was wrong. He is from a school of philosophy that literally instructs the players what to do and where to go. Murty doesn't utilise that philosophy.

I don't think it's him, but his assistant. Graeme Jones. We're not getting Martinez; he's only just started with Belgium and he's out of our league.

Your Pep analogy is wrong: Pep tells them were to go and when, what position to take up, how to pass the ball etc.

Clarke is the stand-out candidate in Scotland, but I have my reservations. He also bought players that he knew personally, which is not a great model -- see Warburton and best-in-the-business McPar-whatever -- but any manager coming in rightly won't have complete control anyway. He can get the best out of players, but I have my doubts whether he can manage a dominant side, in terms of style etc. Who's left? Has Jack Ross at St Mirren done enough? I would suggest not, as he's not got Premiership experience. Alan Archibald has done well at Partick, but he doesn't inspire much confidence. And what market are we shopping in? I don't think we can attract anyone from the EPL, and perhaps some of the Championship. Jovanovic is good, but he's doing well at Fulham and we're unlikely to be able to attract him. Lower down there is Christiansen at Leeds, or formerly, who was doing well until that collapse and won the league in Cyprus. Farke's doing ok at Norwich. The only foreign man mentioned would be Preud'homme, but can we get him? Is he too much of a risk? He's certainly got the track record, a solid 60% win-rate in competitive leagues and has won things in a couple of countries; and he's currently unattached. I don't think we can attract Gio. I really wish I knew what kind of market we're shopping in? Is it EPL, Championship? Second-tier European leagues, like Belgium? I don't know.

I really don't think Murty is getting the job anyway. To get it he would need to do a remarkable job: giving Celtic a good, close run AND win the Cup, which was and is unlikely. He's done a good job, but he's not good enough. I'm not criticising the guy per se, it's just that he's been thrown in to do a job without any experience.

It's Martinez's Assistant, not Martinez himself, I think.