The Faroes v Scotland, Tuesday 12 October

0762 · (This post was last modified: 10-10-2021, 17:15 by 0762.)

Well this World Cup group fixture becomes another "must win" target for Steve Clarke and the guys. We must ensure that 4 pts gap in second place is maintained! Does he rest players v this level of opposition and bring in fresher ones? I'm not sure TBH! I tend to view this scenario as one to win the game as early as poss with our strongest side and then bring on subs who are comfortable playing in a winning position. There is no doubt Grant Hanley will return to the CB position. So that will free up McTominay to play in an adapted midfield set up. IMO this is still gonna be a challenging fixture v a stuffy side that has just been thrashed by Denmark. IMO the win is more important than the number of goals we score although it would be nice to win it well. As commented in one of my previous threads - NO COMPLACENCY PLEASE!! C'mon Scotland!
On a separate note, I'm perusing the unseeded international sides that Scotland will possibly face at Hampden Park in the play-off semi-finals. They are:- Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, Norway, N Macedonia, Wales, Austria. I don't wanna be drawn v the Czechs or Wales TBH!! Anyway, we've gotta deal with one game at a time before we seriously consider this play-off scenario.

hibeejim21 · (This post was last modified: 10-10-2021, 17:37 by hibeejim21.)

Let's just concentrate on the faroes for now.

A note of caution on that front : Denmark needed a late winner to get through their tie in toftir. It's not gonna be easy.

ritchiebaby · (This post was last modified: 10-10-2021, 23:37 by ritchiebaby.)

I really couldn't care less about the other teams, they're not important. What I do care about is that Scotland had better not throw away our advantage by tinkering with our team. As strong as possible, please, and 100% application required to qualify. A quick, positive start will be essential as the Faroes will be looking to unsettle us early on and be as troublesome as possible.

Bloody predictive text. Doh

The quicker I find out how to take it off, the better!

0762 · 10-10-2021, 23:22

I genuinely wish we had a top prolific striker to compliment this team. That's why there are games on this "journey" that could prove to be difficult - the ones where we create the scoring opps, but we "run dry" and don't convert any of them. Fingers crossed other players take them instead.

0762 · (This post was last modified: 12-10-2021, 14:58 by 0762.)

Not long to go until tomorrow night and I wonder what Clarke's starting line-up will be.
My guess will be a team resembling this one:-

Gordon, Cooper, Hanley, Tierney, Robertson, Paterson, McTominay, McGinn, Gilmour, Nisbet, Dykes

I forgot that this match will be played on an artificial pitch (my least favourite playing surface!!) and this could well decide who plays and who sits on the subs' bench - some players more comfortable on this surface than others! McTominay is a tall, gangly player; therefore McGregor, a Celtic player/captain with a lower centre of gravity and good baw skills, may well "get the nod" in midfield although one must ask if Clarke would use McTominay defensively v this particular international side?Also I've listed Nisbet alongside Dykes as Che Adams is injured. I've a hunch that Christie may be given the No10 role instead as he played well in the final quarter of the match v Israel. C'mon Scotland - keep the momentum and "buzz" continuing from the exciting last mins of the match v Israel!

hibeejim21 · 12-10-2021, 10:13

Think Christie will start tonight and Mctominay will stay in the back 3.

hibeejim21 · 12-10-2021, 19:57

It appears Hendry/Hanley/Tierney will be the back 3.

Mctominay into the middle.

Fraser replaces Patterson (who was terrible at hampden)

Christie goes up top with Dykes.

0762 · (This post was last modified: 12-10-2021, 21:47 by 0762.)

Should be 2-0 or 3-0 down and Scotland's defence "rank rotten" AGAIN playing against one of these teams that are accustomed to playing on an artificial pitch and one can see the difference - seen this scenario often enough in our SPFL and hate artificial pitches!! Basic "long baw" footie giving this defence problems and we are not "doing the basics" - tight marking and break out in an organised way. Craig Gordon outstanding again, but we are so lucky to be level v this team - a nightmare first 30 mins!! Did Clarke train the players on this type of surface and get them accustomed to what they were gonna face tonight?? Huh

The intro of Fraser and Christie has been an absolute failure btw. A huge improvement required!!

hibeejim21 · (This post was last modified: 12-10-2021, 22:50 by hibeejim21.)

1st half has been woeful. McTominay is having an absolute mare.

Time to get McGregor and Nisbet on.

Phew....... Job done.....Least said about that the better.

0762 · (This post was last modified: 12-10-2021, 23:41 by 0762.)

FT 0-1 and what a massive 3 pts this is for Scotland. It could be enough for us to qualify for the play-off semi-final. This result is definitely one of the biggest "steals" by Scotland - BUT WE'LL TAKE IT! Smile

And Dykesy scores goals in 4 x consecutive Scotland matches, the first Scotland player to ever do this for Scotland in modern day international footie!! Thumb up

Add to that Clarke's super sub move that produced the goal - Paterson on for Fraser and VIOLA!!!! He sets up the winning goal for Dykesy!
PS: I'm not looking forward to the Moldova game based on that awful performance tonight - looks like another "nail-biter" of a match in Moldova next month!!