The punters moaned about more of the same the other night but what choice did the manager have?
You know its a dangerous time for a manager when figures are dug out and used like a baseball bat to beat them.
Remember those glory days? The friendlies with Northern Ireland, Gibraltar, Finland were non-events and we all know the Euros were not great. The other night against Poland was a boot in the delicates for a team that used up all its good fortune on the way to Germany and now Lady Luck has come for payback. It’s fashionable to give the gaffer a kicking and there’s a real feeling among some fans they would like a fresh face – and preferably someone who smiles from time to time.
We are a wee country – we simply can’t afford to lose half a dozen high-level players. When everyone is on board, Clarke has managed to get us just about surviving with the best. But with them gone? We are bang in bother. The structural problems that have plagued us haven’t gone away. A new manager isn’t going to miraculously conjure up a new squad. Clarke is not stubbornly leaving out a pile of talent.
We could do with a Champions League level centre-back but the real issue is in the attacking third. We don’t have any pace and, as a nation, we’ve stopped producing centre-forwards. We’ve somehow bred a nation of holding midfielders, taught to play square balls, when every kid used to be desperate to stick the ball in the back of the net.
Champions League Gordon Strachan Scotland Football Team Scotland U19s Football Team Nations League
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine-Russia war latest: As Ukrainian troops advance into Russia, Michael Clarke explains what it meansUkraine's surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region is continuing, with battles raging into a fourth day. Ukraine has made territorial gains, with some suggestions it could have control of Sudzha - the last operational trans-shipping point for Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine.
Read more »
Tom McKibbin happy to get one over Darren Clarke after Open stickTom McKibbin played alongside Darren Clarke on the final day of this year's Open Championship at Royal Troon
Read more »
Steve Clarke set for Scotland shakeup as James Morrison leaves roleMorrison will leave his post after 14 months working under Clarke full-time
Read more »
Jack Clarke and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are Leeds United's 'best' transfer optionsLeeds United are targeting more signings in the summer transfer window to increase their chances of finishing in the automatic promotion berths
Read more »
Leeds United put on alert in Jack Clarke chase as contract detail emergesThe Whites have been linked with a surprise move for the Sunderland forward amid claims over his contract
Read more »
Jack Clarke has a big dilemma as Leeds await answer to transfer questionLeeds United are being linked with a move for Sunderland star Jack Clarke, a former Whites player
Read more »