I think steven fletcher should play upfront with mcfadden moved to left mid. Maybe the lad from Wolves should get his debut and play alongside fletcher as I don't think Boyd is good enough to play against Norway.

McFadden and Boyd. I'm sure we're capable of creating a few good chances - therefore I'd have to disagree that Boyd isn't good enough to face Norway. Boyd's the man to finish them off.

This isn't the game to chuck Iwelumo into.

4-4-1-1 with McFadden behind Boyd. Iwelumo on the bench to come on if we're needing a goal late on to pump high balls into the box.

If we had Kenny i'd agree about Iwelumo. I watch Boyd every week for Rangers. He doesn't hack it against quality opposition thats why he doesn't play against celtic or in europe. As for McFadden, I think he has been off form a bit and I've always found him more influencial in Midfield.

To be honest, I wouldn't suggest that punting high balls at Norway is a good idea, even late on. They play a bit like us, they'll mop them up quite well.

Agree about McFadden, although he's bound to find some form soon...

Norway aren't good, but their not shit. I think Boyd can hack it against them. Time shall tell...

Don't get me wrong I hope he takes his chance if its given but after all the frustration he's put me through i'm alittle worried.

Why do a lot of people - including the media - see us playing 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1?

Burley has clearly favoured 4-3-3 since taking over, and it was that formation which was fairly successful in Iceland. I think he will play that again.

If Miller wasn't injured, I would have gone for him as the main striker, with McFadden and Morrison on the flanks.

Now, I'd play McFadden as the main striker, with Maloney and Morrison either side of him.

Fletcher is an option because he provides a bit of strength, but also has flair and has shown himself to be a good finisher. He can also play in any of the 3 positions across the front line. However, I think he's lacking in experience at this level, and it would be a huge risk to start him. Likewise with Iwelumo, although his experience of Scandinavian football could be useful.

Fair point!

Fletcher won't be as experienced as Iwelumo in general, since he has around 10 years on him?

If it is 4-3-3, I can see it being the setup Craigkillie said.

Despite that, Fletcher has spent his career playing at a level Iwelumo has got nowhere near.

The SPL? Iwelumo has been at Championship and League 1 level for most of his career, which are arguably better than anything on offer in the SPL.

Start with McFadden and Boyd in a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1

He's also played in the lower leagues of Denmark and Germany without much of a return in the goal scoring, well done to him for his great start to the season but I'd rather throw him on if it's going títs up.

I'd go with McFadden and Boyd

mcfadden and iwelumo IMO.

Personally I hope Boyd gets a start. He did the business in the last campaign at Hampden, and nothing suggests he wouldnt do the same this time round.

However, I do think Burley will go with the 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation that has been suggested by others, with Maloney and Morrison supporting McFadden

Mc Faddeden and Boyd !

The Championship is of a better standard than the SPL.

Personally I'd go with Boyd and Faddy every time but rumour has it Iwelumo will get the nod alongside Faddy.

As long as we get a win I don't care.

WE'LL BE COMING

I don't know where that "rumour" is coming from other than a bloke down the pub, but Scotland don't play with two strikers and haven't for years. They play with a lone striker supported by one (4-4-1-1) or two wide guys (4-5-1). If we go with two up front and two in central midfield we'll lose. Without Ferguson we don't have the quality in midfield to play that way. If Iwelumo starts, it'll be up front on his own, with McFadden and Morrison/Maloney wide. 4-5-1 is the way to go these days.

Personally I'd play Boyd as he's by a mile Scotland's best striker. But Sir Smiffy says no!!! So Burley has no choice.

Fletcher and Boyd with Mcfadden somewhere

If Miller wasn't injured, I would have gone for him as the main striker, with McFadden and Morrison on the flanks.

Now, I'd play McFadden as the main striker, with Maloney and Morrison either side of him.


why play mcfadden as lone striker it is nover in a million years his position. that stinks of trying to sneak a one nil win which lets face it is never going to happen. faddy hasnt set the heather on fir this year but i do think he raises his game for internationals. has to be boyd up front with faddy just off him or any other scenario, but boyd must play there is far too much negativity around him

its no coincidence that when he doesnt play for the gers they struggle to score and usually smith chucks him on to try salvage something ie st mirren at the weekend. why not just start him and win ok he maybe doesnt offer everything but miller runs about like a maniac and doesnt score enough not exactly the complete package either

mcfadden and iwelumo

y should boyd play he is gash, chuck him on last 10 if we need a goal!!! Iwelumo will get a goal!!!

or...............play him from the start and he bags a couple and there no need for him to try salvage a result

although we do like making it hard for ourselves so lets just play faddy on his own and weir and caldwell at the back

I think its tried and tested being the way forward for this one im afraid...while Norway aren't "great" they are no mugs so I fancy it will be Boyd up top with Faddy buzzing about around him

Maloney - Iwelumo - McFadden

Oh tits! I though he was talking about Darren Fletcher I forgot Steven was in the squad.

Note to self - don't post again while tired.

I always find the criticism of Boyd laughable. So he doesn't exactly work all that much but give him a chance and he'll score goals. That is (unless the rules have changed and I missed it) how you win football matches isn't it. In a team that actually tries to play attacking football (unlike Rangers in Europe with their - admittedly succesful last season - backs to the wall with 1 up front style) he will get chances and will score them.

Personally I'd start with Boyd up front and McFadden and Maloney off him. These guys will create chances and Boyd will put them away.

finally someone speaks sense. boyd starts=scotland win.........end of

Burley can get to feck if he does not start Boyd at home in every game.

The onus is on us to attack every team from the off at home (including Italy, Holland etc).

We give teams who are no better than us too much respect and only play 1 up top.

It pisses me off great, we used to beat teams like Norway, Iceland easily many years ago when we played with recognised STRIKERS on the park.

This 2 wide players and 1 striker up top is pish. (Glorified 4-5-1 in my eyes)

4 - 4 - 2 all the way with 2 strikers up top and 2 wingers is the only way to play at home.

Most teams are crapping themselves at Hampden due to the crowd etc - use that to our advantage and go right for them from the off. More than likely we will get that early goal.

RANT OVER............... Over to you Mr Burley

Iwelumo and McFadden

Disaster if we go with those 2 IMO.

Faddy is better out on the left of midfield and cutting in and roaming about from there.

Scotland simply don't have the quality in midfield to go 4-4-2. Until Ferguson gets back, there's no way Fletcher and AN Other have the ability to cover central midfield by themselves. Very few teams play 4-4-2 anymore, it is about as fashionable as 3-5-2. I agree Kris Boyd should start every game for Scotland, but I'd be amazed if he starts against Norway.

A couple of boys on the TAMB claim that Iwelumo was part of the probable starting 11 in a closed door training game last night.

Apparently it was

Gordon
Broadfoot Caldwell Weir Naysmith
Morrison Brown Fletcher Maloney
Iwelumo McFadden

Not sure what to read into this though, after all it was just a training session.

If that's the team we'll lose.

McFadden - Boyd - Maloney

That would be my forward line. If we go for a 2-man central midfield and 2 up top then we will be overrun and won't create any chances.

If presented with the numerous crosses into the box that were a feature of our game against Iceland I believe Boyd would score.
He should be utilised, even in matches where Scotland might have their "backs against the wall", so to speak; there's always the chance he will score against the run of play, with his finishing ability.

As a Wolves fan I'd love it if Iwelumo got a game - he's definitely the in form striker and a hell of a lot better than I thought he was!

He's been without a doubt Wolves best and most influencial player this season - first 2 losses have been in the games he's missed through suspension (although Jarvis and Kightly also missed both through injury).

He's certainly been helped by the way Wolves play, with two quick wingers in Kightly and Jarvis who can put in a hell of a good cross, along with loads of quick passing and movement. The reason he's probably having such a good season is because Wolves don't just "punt the ball up to the big lad" as seems to be what usually happens. See Big Dunc in the Estonia match in Monaco or the Austria away games for textbook examples of this!

Anyway, if any of you can be arsed and the links work, here's Wolves goals from the start of the season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvUT9hZQofw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfIetrG4efM

Saying that, I think he'll start with Boyd instead of Iwelumo!

McFadden and Iwelumo

It was suggested today in the record that Boyd AND Iwelumo up top. I think it just might work. They arent particularly mobile but we could just punt the ball at them and a Midfield of McFadden,Brown,Fletcher and Maloney could feed off the scraps. That team would definetely create chances and there is no one better than Boyd at sticking them away.