Fantastic result last night and a great performance
Really good to see Scotland trying to play some passing football for a change, and not lump it forward stuff.
Just want to make a point however
Strachan is clearly making a difference, but I am rather incensed by his decision to basically state that Jordan Rhodes "does not fit into his system." and hence will not feature.
Craig Levein's reign was disastrous for a number of reasons, but I distinctly remember many fans slating Levein for playing one striker up front at home in matches we had to win, should have been winning and should have been setting out to win, not playing for the draw so to speak, and the 1 up front was seen as an afraid to lose approach rather than that effort to win approach that was neccessary
The point I am basically making here is, with what Strachan has said to regards Rhodes, does that mean he is going to play one man up front at home also??
If Rhodes is a striker that needs a strike partner and is better as part of a two man attack.....and its being said he doesnt fit in to the current manager's system...is the current manager then never going to play two up front??
I'm just intrigued to see if Strachan gets the same volleys of abuse that Levein did if he only plays one man up top in matches agasint, so called, inferior sides.
Obviously we have got Croatia at home, and I do not expect 2 up front or Rhodes to feature......but if we are playing a lesser nation at home in the coming qualification campaigns, I fail to see how we couldnt go with a two man up top attack, and utilise Rhodes who is a natural goalscorer and is one of the highest rated players in the Championship, a league where this young lad Anya plies his trade, a lad who is getting huge plaudits at the moment.
Cracking result, well chuffed, hope to see more football like it.
But Strachan annoyed me at the weekend with this Rhodes thing, and I dont get his logic when it comes to other matches.
We arent exactly abundant with natural proven strikers, and Miller was slated to high heavens by Scotland fans, as was the one man up top system that was kept in place for Miller's benefit.
Now it seems to be ok????
I dont really get that myself
Strachan's system
posted on 11/9/13
As long as you have guys prepared to work the channels then I don't think it's leaving anyone isolated.
The midfield 3 is crucial to it though, you need 1 player capable of supporting the striker
posted on 11/9/13
It's about being versatile Ghod. Nobody is saying that we should start every game 4-4-2, but t a flat refusal to consider varying the system depending on circumstances is plain stupid IMO. As I said, let's wait and see, as to be viewed as successful, it will need to take us to a major tournament
posted on 11/9/13
4-2-3-1 thats what it is just now and thats what it should be for the next campaign
posted on 11/9/13
"can anyone name a team that play 2 up front these days?"
Man City
posted on 11/9/13
"4-2-3-1 thats what it is just now and thats what it should be for the next campaign"
I am not arguing that point. However, if he refuses to deviate from that if we are struggling, he will leave himself in the firing line.
posted on 11/9/13
1 up front with 2 playing off him
toure fernandinho
aguero silva jovetic
dzeko
posted on 11/9/13
Jovetic hasnt even played for Man City yet Ghod mate
posted on 11/9/13
1 up front is outdated in international football, but so is 2 up front. As others have said, need a front 3 or 4 rather than just the 2 strikers.
As well as he played, I'm still annoyed how quickly Anya is in the squad. 1 good season for Watford and he's already a starter, yet when the likes of Paul Dixon & Mackay-Steven have been brilliant in the SPL... not one cap when playing in Scotland. (Not just United players that are overlooked of course).
posted on 11/9/13
Anya has pace though. Not a lot of our players have that sort of pace. Doesnt matter what league he's playing in tbh he's shown he can offer something that no other player can so I say keep playing him!
posted on 11/9/13
Why are people so caught up with systems?
There were times last night were we played two up front. It wasn't an obvious big man and poacher or some other outdated cliche but there were times were Naismith and Maloney or Anya and Naismith pushed forward together and became a front two.
The modern international game is not rigid like Scottish football. You don't necessarily set out with two banks of four and two front men.
Generally there is a recognised back line, but watch Spain, France, Italy etc. Their midfielders and forwards interchange all game and are all capable of playing in different positions.
If we want to compete at international level then we have to be able to play an adaptable game where players can move around. An out and out striker just won't fit into that type of game I'm afraid.
Guys like Nasimith and Maloney are more like the modern European footballer. Okay they're maybe not Iniesta or Messi but they are adaptable and can pretty much play anywhere in midfield or up front which lets them float around making the side more creative and unpredictable and hopefully more dangerous.