Hi

Who does everyone think/hope will start on Saturday, and what formation do you think Burley will go with?

I'm not hugely confident about this game, and I don't think a draw would be a terrible result. Macedonia is a very difficult place to go, and as far as I know they have some good players.

Here's the squad:

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Sunderland), David Marshall (Norwich City), Allan McGregor (Rangers) Jamie Langfield (Aberdeen)

Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley), Darren Barr (Falkirk), Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Callum Davidson (Preston North End), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Kevin McNaughton (Cardiff City), Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United), David Weir (Rangers) Kirk Broadfoot (Rangers)

Midfielders: Scott Brown (Celtic), Kris Commons (Derby County), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Paul Hartley (Celtic), Shaun Maloney (Celtic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Barry Robson (Celtic), Kevin Thomson (Rangers)

Forwards: Kris Boyd (Rangers), David Clarkson (Motherwell), James McFadden (Birmingham City), Kenny Miller (Rangers), Garry O'Connor (Birmingham City)


Anyway, I'd go with:

Gordon

Alexander Caldwell McManus Naysmith

Brown Fletcher Hartley Thomson Robson

Miller

in a 4-5-1 formation.

I think Maloney and McFadden would be great as impact players, coming on if we need a goal. Also, even though Scott Brown has been playing poorly recently, he's usually good for Scotland and will run all day even in the scorching heat.

Opinions?

Not a bad selection given what we have available.

I must have said this a million times by now though: Scott Brown is NOT a right sided player. Put him in the middle and put Fletcher out on the right.

Scott Brown is as much a right-mid as Fletcher is.

We will never get the best of Brown until we play him in the middle. He is wasted on the right, at least Fletcher can play there and do a good job.

Gordon
Alexander Caldwell McManus Naysmith
Brown Fletcher Hartley Robson Morrison
McFadden

Gordon

Alexander McManus Caldwell Naysmith

Fletcher Brown Hartley Thomson Maloney

Miller

McFadden coming on in 2nd half as impact sub.

Gordon
Alexander McManus (Not to put the Falkirk fans in raptures) Barr Naysmith
Robson Thomson Hartley Fletcher Maloney
Miller

For me its McGregor in goals, he's the keeper on form.

He's out Langfield in apparently.

Shame it would've been interesting to see who burley would have went for.

I think Fletcher plays his best for Scotland when he plays out on the right.

This guy has sense



I thought it was Marshall that had withdrawn?



I think he plays equally as well when put in the middle to be honest. He is miles better than Scott Brown on the right though.

Its Marshall thats out not McGregor

It makes no difference, I'll be disgusted if McGregor plays instead of Gordon. McGregor, while a great shotstopper, lacks basic skills, such as how to catch, or organise a wall.

I'd go with:

Gordon

Alexander
Caldwell
McManus
Naysmith

Fletcher
Hartley
Thomson
Robson

McFadden

Miller

I don't think the midfield will be anything like that though. I think he'll go Brown-Fletcher-Hartley-Maloney.

Edit- And under no circumstances should Kirk Broadfoot get on the pitch!

I'd like to see

Gordon
McNaughton McManus Caldwell Naysmith
Fletcher Hartley/Robson Brown McFadden
Maloney
Miller

Swapping McFadden/Maloney around mid game.

But I think he'll opt with

Gordon
Alexander McManus Caldwell Naysmith
Fletcher Brown Hartley Thomson Morrison
Miller

Broadfoot

Broadfoot
Broadfoot ©
Broadfoot
Broadfoot

Broadfoot
Broadfoot
Broadfoot
Broadfoot

Broadfoot
Broadfoot

Altogether now

"We all dream of a team of Kirk Broadfoots, a team of Kirk Broadfoots......"

I assume we're only ever going to play 2 up front away from home against the likes of Andorra and San Marino now so:

............................Gordon...................

Alexander.....Caldwell......McManus..............Naysmith

Brown.....Fletcher.....Hartley....Thomson.........Robson

..........................McFadden

No he doesn't, he put Maloney in his starting line up!

Fully agree. I really like Gordon, but not done much of note since he has been at Sunderland and let in some really poor goals. If we look past the transfer fee, I think McGregor deserves his chance in goal. I also think at present McGregor's confidence is alot higher then Gordon's. Nice to be in a posistion where we have two decent keepers. I never thought i'd want to see Gordon dropped, but on current form, I think McGregor has got to be pushing. That said, I would still be happy to see Gordon in goal on Saturday and I think he will.

Agreed,there is no way Maloney should be playing instead of McFadden.That's just stupid.

Although DJP,i would still play Gordon to be honest.
We are really struggling defensively which worries me big time.

-----------------------------------Gordon-------------------------------------

Alexander-----------Caldwell-------------McManus---------------Naysmith

Brown----------------Fletcher----------------Hartley----------------Robson

-------------------------------------------McFadden--------------------------

--------------------------------Miller------------------------------------------

Gordon

Alexander
Caldwell
McManus
Naysmith

Fletcher
Brown
Hartley
Robson
McFadden

Miller

Guaranteed that Miller plays as a lone striker, not because he's any good but because he scored twice last week and he runs all day.

Prediction: 0-0

-----------------------Gordon------------------------

Alexander--------Caldwell------McManus------Naysmith

Fletcher-----------Brown-------Hartley---------Robson

-------------------------McFadden-------------------

-------------------------Miller------------------------

------------------------------------------------gordon

---------------------------------Broadfoot Caldwell McManus Naysmith



------------------------------------- -----Hartley Thompson


---------------------------------------Fletcher Brown McFayden



----------------------------------------------Miller

It's a very good offer-----Deal.

Hmm.. maybe stick Miller in up front and drop McFadden back in a 4-4-1-1 thing now that Thomson's out. At this rate I'd avise any Scotland fans under the age of 30 and reasonably fit to take their boots with them.

Thomson now out, along with Davidson & McNaughton.

I'd like to go with 2 up front against Macedonia, but it will probably be Miller himself with Mcfadden dropping deep. Rest of the team picks itself.

Gordon

Broadfoot-Caldwell-McManus-Naysmith

Fletcher-Robson-Hartley-Brown-McFadden

Miller

Its a hard one to call mainly because this is Burley's first competitive game in charge and we dont know what he'll be thinking, will he stick to the norm away from home and use the tried and tested 4-5-1 or go for the 4-4-2, i suppose in a way, either formation is a gamble...

I think based on last years results against georgia and ukraine we should try the 4-4-2 as we ended up with nothing anyway, only thing being, if 442 backfires, people will prob get on burleys back and the 451 may increase the chances of a draw, bringing home a safe result and relative success in burleys first game in charge.

I think the fear for Scotland bizarrely is after last years exploits, they are looked upon as favourites and a manageable scalp for 'smaller' teams, so our success could result in a backlash.

Pretty intriguing really and i'm really looking forward to the start of the campaign.

Think the goalie will be Gordon, Mcgregor is an excellent keeper but Gordon's got the number 1 shirt, albeit a costly error away from losing that and his confidence, which already seems to be lacking at club level.

The back four picks itself in my opinion, with alexander caldwell mcmanus and naysmith, he is unlikely to throw broadfoot in.

The midfield will be fletcher, brown, hartley and now that thomson is out Robson could get the nod.

Based on interviews and comments burley has made, i feel he will start with Mcfadden just playing off Miller, as he sees Mcfadden as Scotlands playmaker and a starter unlike previous managers.

I would feel a lot better if Ferguson and Hutton were in the squad but hopefully the players selected can do us proud and take us through the first hurdle with at least 4 points.

Roll on Saturday, C'MON SCOTLAND

For me:

GORDON
ALEXANDER CALDWELL McMANUS NAYSMITH
McFADDEN FLETCHER HARTLEY ROBSON MALONEY
MILLER

Subs: McGregor; Berra; Brown, Morrison, Stewart; Boyd, Clarkson

I know that is more attacking than Burley will elect to field, but I think we really need 3 points - can rely on nothing from Amsterdam, and cannot afford to draw here then lose points v Norway.

I was referring to his decision to play Fletcher on the right and Brown in the middle, thats why I highlighted both names

I think we should look to put robson and brown together in the middle. They can both tackle and gives their all and can put pressure on them.

Gordon

Alexander
caldwell
mcmanus
naysmith

fletcher
brown
hartley
robson
mcfadden

Miller.

This utilises fletcher on the right where he is much better than brown. It also allows hartley to drop back and protect the back four when they are on the attack. Having faddy on the left allows him to do his stuff and drop in behind miller with robson dropping over to cover for him when he does this. Im pretty sure that team would win if it played to it best.

The people who suggest broadfoot should start need their head examined. Also maloney? Hes a decent player but away from home against an eastern european team...this is the last guy you need. Hes too small and lightweight.

Neither McFadden nor Maloney are effective wide players at international level.

You're also leaving us a bit short of defensive options on the bench - I'd put Barr on the bench in place of Stewart.

Can we not play Gordon AND McGregor in goals? That way we'll almost defo get a draw

Or, we could put one of them at right back - can't be any worse than Alexander/Broadfoot surely?

The right back spot is a real concern actually. I can't believe Alexander is still about, surely Mark Wilson would have been a better pick?

I hear Alexander was shortlisted for the squad for Mexico '86! Seriously, the guy's too old and nowhere good enough!

Sure it's good to have a top quality RB in Hutton but the fact is that when he is crocked we're up sh1t creek unless Burley takes the plunge and bloods young players coming through. Mark Wilson is a good shout!

----------------------------Gordon--------------------------

-----Broadfoot-----Caldwell---McManus-----Naysmith---

----------------------------Dailly---------------------------

------Brown------Fletcher-----Hartley------McFadden---

---------------------------Miller----------------------------



RB is a problem area but i feel Kirk will give us more of a attacking threat than Alexander would

Cant see many goals in the team and set pieces will probably be our best bet for a goal


think it will be 0-0

The reason I'd have Brown on the right is that he and Hutton linked up well together down the right - although Hutton's obviously not available now, I'd keep that partnership going when he is so we're as well having Brown there all the time so he can be used to playing that role.

Maybe a few raised eyebrows at the fullbacks - I've gone with that because Gary Naysmith is fucking dreadful.

We're going 4, 4, feckin, 2 - Mike Bassett, Football Manager.

Gordon

Broadfoot
Caldwell
McManus
Naysmith

McFadden
Hartley
Robson
Fletcher

Miller
Boyd

So he only speaks half sense

No complaints from me. Although he can score away at Iceland again if he so wishes

"The reason I'd have Brown on the right is that he and Hutton linked up well together down the right" - I agree with this.

I also think Broadfoot should play at right-back.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks Wilson deserves a shot. Against teams like Macedonia we need full backs who can attack and Wilson is good going forward even if he is a bit defensively shaky. 

I think shaky is pretty generous. He has looked awful quite a few times in Celtic's Euro games at full back and was ripped badly by Cousin on Sunday.

I think I'd stick with Alexander.

Yeah shaky is a bit generous but in games where the full back will have to attack more than defend then he'd be a good option either when Hutton is out or at left back. I'd never want him anywhere near the Scotland team in games against the likes of Norway or the Netherlands because in those games we need someone who can defend well. 

If we were at home I'd probably agree, but I have a feeling we won't be doing much attacking in Macedonia

You may well be right. I think after we've seen the game we'll either be wishing we'd played guys like Wilson instead guys like Alexander or we'll be saying thank f**k we kept faith in the more defensively minded full backs. I don't have much idea which one it'll be though.