Super_Ally

McManus.

He is not the man to take us forward. We did not play particularly well against Macedonia. A goal at a good time killed their spirit and belief. The Holland performance was fantastic when considering where Burley has dragged us and that they are third in the world. I put this down to the players though. They rediscovered how Scottish teams traditionally play; with heart, with character, with fight and with determination. Fletcher stepped up for once, certianly first half and stamped his authority on a game. When RVP put that dirty tackle on him I was really pleased when he went right through the dutchman at the very next opportunity. RVP wouldn't want to know from Fletcher after that. Miller kept coming back for more despite being unlucky with shots and having the Dutch CB coming through the back of him all night. Weir was a rock in the last two games (he had to go for that header). But does Burley get credit for re-introducing a man who should never have been dropped. I'm not going to go on because it's starting to frustrate me, but Fraser I could write a post that would put Calscot's epic assays to shame on all Burley horrific mistakes. Ranging from poor man management, poor tactics, poor selections, poor formations, poor media relations. On and off-field errors. Boyd, McCulloch, Ferguson, McGregor, boozegate. Iwelumo/Fletcher. Norway at home, Norway away. Macedonia away. That's just a start really. Does one acceptable result and one good performance (but poor result) gloss over all that? Not a fucking chance. Burley has to go. There's loyalty and there's blind loyalty. I know you wont hear a bad word about the Scotland set up, but realise it's just that people can see we can do far better. Look at what he has done to us since Smith/Eck.

That's nice. Still should have picked Thomson.

Whilst they're "being a handful" Boyd will be doing [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWhvlj15rwI&feature=related]the difficult bit[/ame] and winning football matches. Kenny Miller/Kyle Lafferty: "I ran 2 more kilometers and made four more tackles in that game". Kris Boyd: "That's nice. I scored 2 goals and won the fucking points" :spl:

Considering it will, at best, be 14 years between France 98 and our next tournament appearance we need a manager who will pick his best players regardless of age and supposed experience. I.e. Pick Davie Weir if he's the best available. Pick Kevin Thomson. Pick Kris Boyd not inferior, inexperienced forwards. I know i'm picking Rangers players there. But we're the best team in the country. It stands to reason we have a number of the best Scots players.

Ha ha. Appreciated. Have a look back at my post you quoted. Whilst I was thinking of a reply all i could see is that little grinning smiley with the big green coupon and it was annoying me. Should be a different colour surely. Completely random and taking the thread down the road of inane drivel. Back on Naismith. Always rated him. Was just a case of getting fit. Hopefully that's the end of his injury worries.

I'm fairly certain it wasn't. No penalties given that I saw. More's the pity.

Some of us see it correctly though.

I was looking at your post there, but all I keep asking myself is why is that little bastard's face green.

I agreed more with the "seen them given" view. My wee brother didn't think it was one.

Aye, Fergie, McGregor n Boyd's fault apparently (not seen it myself either). Now I know some thought Fergie picked the Rangers team, but no fucking way did Boyd put Iwelumo and Fletcher on before himself at home to Norway!

Agree with most of that. Unsuprisingly. (Maybe not a stone wall pen). "Burley will be removed" - Boyd, Barry and Shagger back?

Unfortunately they (media types) are all too cunning to let it be known that is their reasoning.

Played 4 games for Burley. 3 clean sheets. One goal conceded to the 3rd best team in the world. Could hardly blame Davie Weir. Did his country proud despite being somewhat humiliated by his manager.

"The miss" was pretty bad. If he'd just lifted it the keeper wouldn't have got there. Though I guess it could be classed as unlucky. The one he hit off the bar he was very unlcuky, though not sure he entirely meant it. A 3rd snap shot I thought he did brilliant just to hit the target and the keeper fumbled it round the post but so nearly in. And that from someone who isn't his biggest fan. Boyd would've scored "the miss".

Why didn't the fuckers do that in the ashes? Then i'd have been spared the cricket ruining the sports pages.

Was also impressed by Naismith. Although they were mostly against Gio VB I don't think he lost a header all night! Not the biggest so must have a good leap on him.

Sectarianism, global warming, world poverty, the economic crisis. Isn't it always.

If Souness was on the list I stand corrected. I thought it was Burns instead.

The one bright point, if you can call it that. Of the candidates at the time, I thought he was the best. Hindsight and all that.

Nearly there then. Just a victory against the 3rd ranked side in the world, Bert Van Marwijk’s Oranje could be enough to secure a play-off place for Scotland as Burley attempts to lead us to an international tournament for the first time in 5 years. It would be no mean feat. The Dutch have won every match in qualifying so far, including a 3-0 defeat of Scotland in the reverse fixture. The task has been made even more treacherous since the Macedonia game with McFadden’s caution ruling the mercurial forward out of the game. The Birmingham forward scored a goal reminiscent of Archie Gemmil the last time we played and defeated the Dutch at Hampden. When you also include the absence of Craig Gordon, ruled out through injury late today and things are starting to look desperate. Davie Weir was given a national recall for this double header after the Brothers’ Grimm; Gary and Steven turned in two dreadful performances as Burley’s team were humiliated in Oslo. Gary Caldwell returns from injury but with the knowledge that we have secured clean sheets in only 3 of Burley’s games and only with Weir’s calming presence in the team, Burley is unlike to change his centre back partnership. Behind Weir and his Old Firm counterpart McManus, David Marshall will replace the injured Gordon. An improved performance from that which saw him ship four goals in Norway is a must if Scotland are to gain the required victory. Hutton and Whittaker ended the Macedonia match in the fullback roles and that is how it should have started. Both have an impressive appetite to get forward, but a greater focus on defensive duties will be vital tonight. Most media outlets are predicting Burley will start with a 4-3-3 formation with Brown, Hartley and Fletcher in midfield. However, with the impressive passing football Holland employ, Steven Naismith and Shaun Maloney will likely find themselves pressed back into a 4-5-1 more often than not. Again Kenny Miller will utilise his pace and work rate to spearhead the Scottish attack. Naismith has had an impressive opening to the season and I expect Burley has decided to use his speed, trickery and hard work to bolster his attacking options. After his injury troubles the call up is richly deserved. Holland will no doubt field near enough a strongest first XI. Seeing as these players have proven sufficiently capable to take maximum points in every fixture in the group, we are all aware of the task ahead. There is little to be gained in confidence from critically analysing their squad or looking at who might be unavailable. For example, Wesley Sneijder picked up an injury in their weekend match and may be a doubt. Van Marwijk will have to make do with Van Der Vaart! Hopefully we will find another piece of magic normally provided by McFadden and get another historic result. If our appearance on the international stage is delayed by at least another two years then hopefully at least the Rangers contingent will return unscathed. Speaking of the absent Rangers; Kyle Lafferty picked up a knee injury representing Northern Ireland, but not before sticking the ball between the Roly Poly Goalie’s legs. He is out of their match tonight and most likely the Motherwell game this weekend. With his continual injury worries we all hope it will not keep him out too long, with Lafferty himself expecting to be back for the Champions League kick off. Steve Davis will remain with the Northern Ireland squad aiming to boost their chances of qualification for South Africa 2010. Come back to this site late this week to get the round-up on the Rangers away on international duty.

I hope we don't lose. Caldwell is not starting as far as i'm aware. Sticking with Weir/McManus.

If all goes well with my Dad's pals at work (he lives in Seville now) there'll be at least one group of TEN Rangers fans in the Sevilla end.

Agree team goals are good too. Just can't beat a good thunderbolt of a shot. Always pick spectacular finishes over nice passing moves.

Read the book a few years ago and thought it was ace. Film was not bad like you say. Didn't realise the guy got himself a part in the film. Good on him.