[0762]

I think our "gut feeling" after the Czech Rep game was "spot on". I said we were out of the Euros right after that 0-2 result, another match that I feel Clarke didn't field the best team for this particular opening group game. Bouncinghibees most cutting criticism after that game was as prophetic as it gets TBH!! We really needed to start well in this group and that IMO was the big loss for us and it also exposed the lack of that elusive prolific striker. Also remember we were the bookies favs to be eliminated from that tough group. Re the Dykes striking issue I must say that well before our opening group D match I professed that I'd rather have had a half-fit Griffiths in the Scotland squad mainly because he has scored at all levels of footie in which he has participated - WHY OMIT HIM ESP WITH BEING GIVEN THESE EXTRA PLAYERS IN THE SQUAD BY UEFA??? That view/criticism hasn't changed. Goals win matches and we have observed that failing, previously highlighted by me as a huge concern right after the Luxembourg friendly match, in every group D match!! Surely saving such a striker in a sub role made sense when one knows that the player squad was not awash with in form strikers of that quality anyway!!? IMO it's great to have that strong work ethic and togetherness. But the skill of scoring goals is a key factor in progressing through tourneys like this one or even just qualifying for a tourney.