[0762]

FT and a disappointing 1-0 loss to a team that has nae chance in this group whatsoever and that is their 1st victory and a lucky one with a deflected 20 yard shot that left Craig Gordon stranded and unable to do anything to save it. As expected, lotsa changes to player personnel by Steve Clarke and more than I even expected - eight alterations with John McGinn taking over the captain's role. The guys actually played OK away from home v this level of opposition and I must say Griffiths last min strike, well saved by their goalie, should've given Scotland a deserved share of the pts. But it wasn't to be! However, the usual debate arises again with the decision to field McBurnie in the crucial CF position as it is very clear that he can't score at this level and should've scored at least one goal, if not two, this afternoon. The words that I can only utter re this lad after observing his first botched effort are, "You are too slow in thinking and acting with fast feet"!!!? He has done it before and, in this case, anybody who has watched or played footie could see right away how an easy goal was missed by not striking a great "through pass" early "on the run" of the ball - too easy IMO and I would never have missed that scoring opp! His second effort really was a great cross from Palmer that arrived on his napper but the header was woeful!!! The guy has played a big part in delivering this negative result and we have lost to this lucky Slovakian goal - HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AT THIS LEVEL OF FOOTIE!!! Fortunately no great damage done to our NL group position and we can hopefully retrieve the situation anyway. Do the biz in Israel on Wednesday with a much stronger side Steve - that is what good international teams do!