LondonSons

This is the first time in 30 years of following football that I have ever seen anyone argue against atmosphere and noise at games. Of course it had to be Dumbarton. It is very sad if someone has a condition which means they cannot attend games. Presumably it rules out a number of activities and not just spectating at football. Nonetheless, Dumbarton should be doing absolutely everything it can as a club to encourage a bit of atmosphere and bring in new fans. Going to a Dumbarton home game is already one of the most depressing experiences in world football, sitting in our one stand with no atmosphere as we drop down the leagues. It won't be the football that encourages young football fans to come back. If people consider crowd noise at a game to be a "racket" then they are watching the wrong sport. They are free to find something more suitable. By trying to please everyone we will end up pleasing no one, and I am on the side having a bit of atmosphere.

Answer is no, Belgium and others do not just leave it up to the clubs per Project Brave. That much we know.

If, in a few years, results at senior level have markedly improved and we are holding on to players who could choose England, Ireland or any other country then great, it will have worked. At the moment however, are our youth teams showing progress and do young players with dual nationality want to play for us? Is the right man in charge of PB at the SFA? Does any other successful or improving European nation essentially leave youth development in the hands of the clubs?

Genuine question: is there a resource that clearly compares and contrasts the likes of the Belgian or German systems Vs Project Brave? Even a list of the big 'wins' the foreign systems offer that PB does not, and the flaws in PB not evident in the foreign ones. Genuine answer: I don't know other than the obvious results on the pitch. This is a very good article on the Belgian "blueprint" - https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/06/belgium-blueprint-gave-birth-golden-generation-world-cup- This Belgian coach seems to tour various football associations/federations teaching them about the Belgian blueprint: https://twitter.com/KrisVDHaegen . He often shares interesting thoughts and resources. A really interesting example is Luxembourg (population: 500,000). Luxembourg adopted the Belgian model 15 years ago and are beginning to see the results now with results against France, Bulgaria, Belarus, Lithuania, Georgia, Hungary and an easy 3-0 win in San Marino. Many of their young players could choose another country but stick with Luxembourg as they are brought through the national academy they created. One young player is on Bayern's books, has been asked to play for both Sweden and Ireland but has stuck with Luxembourg to under 21 level (hasn't been called up for the full team yet).

This is where having a shambolic governing body, youth development system and national team hurts us in the long run. Many young players have mixed heritage or diverse backgrounds and national identity is not necessarily a fixed thing. Demanding "loyalty" in that context is pointless. Any young player in Dembele's position, particularly with his talent, will naturally opt for the environment most conducive to his success as a footballer. Sadly, that will not be Scotland. I bet the England youth set up is a lot more fun, progressive and exciting for a young player too. If we at least sorted our youth system, followed the Belgian, Dutch or (new) German models rather than the half-arsed compromise that is Project Brave, then we'd be a far more attractive proposition and maybe prevent this sort of situation from occurring.

Couldn't agree more and happy to participate/help/do whatever is needed.

Surely the point we are all missing here, including the remaining Aitkenistas, is that if the man had a shred of decency he would resign and not put the club and support in this situation. He was happy to thump the badge and lap up the attention in Oswestry. Not so keen to do right by the fans now. Pathetic.

And yet UEFA chose Hampden ahead of the Principality stadium for Euro 2020. Also there have been concerts at Hampden?

Good point re. importance of qualifiers so perhaps just friendlies away from Hampden? Even at smaller grounds these fail to sell out.

The debate should constantly be focussed on how do we get a better quality of football both in our league structure and national team. Where we play that football doesn't really matter as long as spectators are able to attend and are safe. Hampden fulfills both of those requirements and also generates a good atmosphere when the team is performing well.

The debate around Hampden is a very helpful distraction for the SFA from the fact that the national team has under performed for almost 20 years and they are largely to blame. I'm surprised the SFSA have bought into this. A stadium does not generate atmosphere by its design (viz. the Emirates, Etihad, new Wembley) rather through attendance and most importantly performance on the pitch. This sudden love in for Murrayfield is bizarre. It's a rugby stadium completely devoid of atmosphere even when Scotland are winning. The solution is surely to play the big games at Hampden and rotate around the country for friendlies and smaller qualifiers. France, Italy and England at Hampden are examples of the best atmosphere I've experienced at a football stadium ever. If it's architecturally possible to remove the "running track" (when is it ever used?) then let's do so but I doubt this would massively improve a home game against Lithuania or Gibraltar.

The article is here: http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2017-18/1/93478/tm-spielernews.html It doesn't say anything about tactical understanding or work without the ball though.

Scott McTominay of Man Utd?

For a bit of context/perspective: most BTL comments on recent articles about Gauld in A Bola have expressed anger at the spoiling of his talent by the Sporting hierarchy. Seems pretty clear he has impressed, particularly at Vitoria Setubal, and the fans like him. Hopefully he keeps working hard and either breaks into the team or gets a decent move at the end of the season. By decent I mean not returning to Scotland or going to the English Championship.

Apparently has indeed been recalled by Sporting following the defeat as they were unhappy with refereeing decisions during the game: http://www.abola.pt/clubes/ver.aspx?t=4&id=649176 In the comments it seems Sporting fans are unhappy at this as he was developing well at Vitoria Setubal and was better there than on the bench at Sporting. O Jogo say he will be loaned out again elsewhere: http://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/sporting/noticias/interior/edinho-revela-ryan-gauld-e-geraldes-pagaram-a-fatura-5587614.html