Gribz

I rank this up with the England games in 96 and 99 plus that Brazil game for my anticipation. Its going to be a long Saturday for me having to wait until 1am. Speaking of that Scotland v Brazil game, I think we have our strongest side since that team (it was practically the same team for the England matches). Only then we had a stronger bench than we do now, but our starting XI isnt far off that side. That team maybe just had a bit more quality with Lambert, McAllister and Collins in the midfield. Of course Weir and Ferguson played against England aswell. But the team we have now are a lot more dangerous in attack than that side. McFadden, Brown and Hutton have the ability to make something happen out of nothing. I wish I was home right now for this game to share the atmosphere.

Thought id get a new thread going seen as the other is a bit messy now and we are approaching the game. Would everyone class this as our biggest game ever? A lot of people are branding as our biggest but Id say no. I think the England play offs in 1999 for the Euros had to be bigger and the Holland play offs a few years ago would be equal. But this game is a one-off game and not a 2 legged game, although its still a group stage match. One thing that probably can be said is it will be our biggest ACHIEVEMENT if we do win when you take into consideration the toughness of our group and how far backwards we went with Berti Vogts. Whatever way we look at it, its great to see the national team get themselves in these positions again and I do believe it is time we graced a championship again. We were always regular qualifiers in the 70s 80s and 90s. I dont like people going round saying its been a great campaign win lose or draw. That sort of talk says its over already and we havent qualified. Id prefer to reflect once the dust has settled. 100% concentration should be focused on the match in hand. So Italy at Hampden. Can we win? I say yes. If I was McLeish id say these 3 things to the players: 1) Go out and perform without nerves, this is whats its all about. 2) The whole country doesnt have eyes on you and are not watching you - They are WITH YOU. 3) Dont reflect on other results but hopefully Russia do us a favour and beat Israel I think Eck will have 13/14 players in his mind for his starting line up. - Gordon, Hutton, Weir, McManus, Naismith, Caldwell, Ferguson, Brown, Fletcher, McCulloch, Hartley, Miller, McFadden, Boyd. His poser is whether to have a extra central midfielder (Hartley) or defender (Caldwell) or go with our strongest and most attacking XI. Having a midfield of Brown, Ferguson, Fletcher and McCulloch may be a little too attacking with McFadden and Miller upfront but thats what Id probably go with. I cant wait for this one and I think we will nick it.

Afraid not!! It wasnt me! I dont do that unless its to prove Jonc is a perv and homo.

That would be handy mate if your on the phone if I need assistance - more than likely - plus i want to make sure i get it done right. I was asking what time the Scotland game kicked off in your neck of the woods. So its 1pm - nice early start for you on saturday then - few beers at lunch time in the sun then the game!!

Jeez Whizz Pete!! I can just imagine him standing applauding and whistling at the guys before diving in and running to the other side to see them come out the other side :fish:

Tell them to get that sorted so you can watch a proper team like West Ham!! :cheers: Nah, but thats awesome, if there was a team I could pay to watch it would be Arsenal and especially at home. The fact they are playing a shite team will also mean they will probably turn it on and you will get to appreciate first hand how good they are. Hopefully they are still in the title race at the time and they are going for all 3 pts. :cheers:

Craig, thanks mate. I'll get round to that this time. My folks already have 2 sky boxes - would i still need to get another? Im sorted for the Scotland game - Its on TV here, albeit at a tricky time - 1am! If im boozing at home I'll have to make sure i dont fall asleep or if i head out to the pubs i'll have to set my alarm to get to a pub thats showing it!! But now that i know its on i cant wait and will prob have a sober one until kick off then crack open a few beers around midnight. What time is it on in your neck of the woods Craig? Must be lunch time or the likes?

Was a great read. That name rings a bell but i cant remember who it was. Maniero didnt get a game but at least i can remember him. Negri was awesome though. That scoring record of 33 in 26 games was topped up with a few cup goals aswell, and I was at the Dundee Utd game where he bagged all 5 - awesome stuff. Im sure he got 37 in total before the end of January 1998. I remember he had scored against every SPL team bar Celtic - that was because the OF game got cancelled due to the murder of Princess Diana. But when it was re-scheduled he popped up with an absolute belter at Parkhead (Nov 97 IIRC) and won it 1-0 for us. I actually forgot he stayed on our books for another 3 years after the injury, but as Jon says, if he got him and Mols together in 99/00 then that would have been scary.

After the group stages we'll be the only scottish team in the competition so all the pot from the knocl outs will be ours

Cheers Jon, I'll give it a bash if the games isnt on. I'll find out tomorrow. At first I thought you went to all the hard work and find that sites for us but then I read the last paragraph/line about the adult content and realised you use these sites for your porn you dirty old man. Craig, You'll need to remind me how to get that slingbox before I go back to UK at xmas.

Give the neighbours a shout while your at it and you'll have a right homely doo on :fish:

Yeah its absolute pish. I think i only got the France and Ukraine game due to a feed channel taking interest aswell coz they were the first Scotland games ive ever got here. I didnt get France at Hampden nor Georgia. The BBC should be thinking about all the Scots abroad and not blocking the game with a contract. On another note i read Alan Hansens on collum on the BBC and he shoot be volleyed in the ass. He refers to Scotland and the fans as "they" about 90% of the time and only once put in "we". :uzi:

Won't the CL run pay for near enough all of that?

Have to say id take 3 million for him as strikers as easier to replace but i still wouldnt take 3 million for Hemdani. Does anyone think we will cash in on both them - given Smith 6 million to spread around the team? Personally I think the squad has enough depth at the moment and its experienced, quality and creative players we should only look to bring it.

IF he was to leave I get a hunch it would be to move down south. I really cant see Motherwell or the likes coming in for him.

Im the opposite Pete, Im delighted. If it was on BBC I wouldnt get it or even get it on radio. But if its on Sky then ESPN can show it - which they bloody better!!! I wont find out until Thursday if they select that game. Im actually confident about winning. I think we have came too far not to qualify. I fancied us to get a draw in Paris - we did one better. I thought the Ukraine and Georgia away games would be the trickier ones which they were. But Scotland are always a better side when we are the underdogs up against a power nation. IMO this Italy game is winnable. I put my team up on the first page but I see Alan's team which takes McCulloch out and Hartley in - to bulk up the midfield and drop McFadden off and I would equally be happy with that. Whatever the XI is - and there is only 12 or 13 guys probably in Ecks mind - we will have 11 players playing the game of there lives. In Darren Fletcher, Barry Ferguson, Scott Brown and James McFadden we have 4 players who can make a difference and if all 4 play the game of there lives then we will win. I should probably throw Alan Hutton in that list too - if he gets down that right side with Fletcher and Brown then he is capable of setting up chances. We just need Gordon and the centre halfs to not make a mistake. Im very confident and excited C'MON THE SCOTS!!!

Aye thats the one

Same strongest team for me aswell (including Smith for Papac, although Papac is filling in well enough) bar Novo for Beasley.

Jonc and his herd against Hurlock and some cows

True. I think its going to hold 20,000 - 25,000.

Thats a nice win. Im gutted i changed my mind on Dundee Utd or id have had a similar win.

I liked Advocaat at Gers but he did lose the plot in his final year. He is also responsible for binning our midfield which took years to recover from. He sold off Gattuso, Tugay and Albertz - all whom didnt want to go (or was it McLeish who sold Albertz, or maybe he didnt take him back when he had the chance). Reyna and Gio wanted to leave so he cant be responsible for them. But then he replaced them with Nerlinger who makes Darren Anderton look like he played every week. In fact you could say he is partly responsible for costing us 10IAR. He made it clear from easter in Smiths final season that Gascoigne wasnt part of his plans hence why we flogged him to Boro. And as Goram always says if we had even a half fit Gazza for the remaining games that season he thinks we would have won the league.

I did hear she was into tic tac's Welcome back Stan BTW, I hope your here all week. Wasnt it you who used to have quite a good source for inside info??

Bet fooked again after the first game. Had a draw in between Brum and Villa, and wins for Chelsea, Bolton and Spurs. Villa nicked it in the 88th min :uzi: Can someone help me stop betting on football

Certainly hope neither Cousin or Hutton move on and Hemdani stays aswell. However they are welcome to Boyd