If ever a nation was beset with disappointment, it's Scotland. Could a single nation be any unluckier?
Chris Iwelumo missed two golden chances after coming off the bench to make his Scotland debut infront of a packed Hampden Park.
The Wolves striker had earlier stated that his mother was overjoyed after his recall to the Scotland set up but he's let his mother down today.
I don't blame Iwelumo though, I blame George Burley.
Burley started with a 4-3-3, James McFadden, Shaun Maloney and James Morrison formed a three pronged attack.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Apparently.
Who is Burley tying to kid? That was a 4-5-1 at home with McFadden chasing shadows.
We were at home for goodness sake, against a side ranked well below us. If we hadn't been found out before, we certainly have now.
Instead of playing Kris Boyd upfront with James McFadden in the hole, we sat back and said to Norway, we respect you, let's see what you've got.
Scotland had nothing to lose as a draw was a terrible result for us and Burley even said that before the game. So why not go for it?
The non-appearance of Kris Boyd in a game the home side craved a goal is beyond explanation. And replacing McFadden when Barry Robson was clearly tiring?
Boyd and Fletcher upfront with McFadden and Morrison/Maloney on the wings was the way to go for it, with Iwelumo available to be thrown on near the end if we still hadn't scored.
No wonder the players have no confidence, the boss doesn't even believe.
George Burley, you got it wrong.
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about 1 month ago
well hopefully george burley gets it right next time for you guys.
from about 1 month ago
Sadly it looks like next time will already be too late. It's going to be one hell of a scrap for that second place.
about 1 month ago
Yeah, but as a Scot, you have to be absoultely gutted with Iwelumo's open goal miss. I still can't work out how he didn't score it!?!? Absoultely disgrace for an 'international' footballer.
Norway at home is one of the games the Scots need to win if they're going to qualify for SA in '10 and Burley and the squad should be disappointed.
from about 1 month ago
As they say "shit happens" and it certainly isn't one mans fault. I have managed to hit the keeper from closer than that before, so yeah...it happens.
Yeah well we have to not lose in Norway that is for sure....at this rate second place will be about 10 points lol
about 1 month ago
Scotland need to keep it tactically simple and then out play their opponents in every department. That infamous miss was a shocker though and it has put a bit of cloud over Burley's tactics that left a lot to be desired.
from about 1 month ago
All we have to do is impose ourselfs. We did it in Iceland and even though we were shit we managed a win. If we'd gone for it from the start, we'd have beaten Norway. They were worse than us lol
about 1 month ago
Didn't see the match but there is a classic picture of Iwelumo's face as he missed the sitter.
Is it a chance of Scotland turning into Rep.Ireland under Steve Staunton?? bad times, bad times :-(
from about 1 month ago
Well when players start quiting international football (Kris Boyd today) you know there is a problem and in my opinion it's slowly turning into a circus.
Such a shame as this campaign promised so much....this is our chance. If we don't get through as second ranked team we'll slip back into the third seeds.
Bring on Barry Herguson and Alan Hutton!
from about 1 month ago
Sorry Andrew just realised I didn't finished my first point sorry, the picture of Iwelumo is in the sports section of The Times newspaper (I presume the Irish/English/Scottish version are all the same judging by how England "overcame" an "underrated" Kazahstan in reports!!!). His face literally says "Of f***"
I can sympathise with you Andrew. The last qualifying campaign for the Republic was just the worst couple of months for the national side. All the good work Ireland had been doing for the last 20 years just went right down the drain. On wednesday we hope that Trapattoni can help erase the demons of Cyprus. Just glad the Faroe Islands aren't in our group this time :-)
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the comments Maire. lol Scotland have slipped up against our island neighbours on too many occasions too. Dam Faroes!
about 1 month ago
I didnt get to watch the match but from my own experience the Norwegians are no push overs. Scotland though, could and should have easily beat them at their own turf. Beating them in Oslo is a mean feat and if your boys are low confidence ( it would seem they are) then Norway could easily do you over....
Hope to see Scotland in South Africa...
from about 1 month ago
Having just witnessed Iwelumo's shocker, I cant stop laughing ... ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUS...
You have reason to be mad....
from about 1 month ago
Me too mate, me too.
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