Strachan's misplaced loyalties exposed in Georgia

I put out the call for an 'eviscerating' blog after the Georgia game, and guest blogger Stuart Taylor answered it...

"No, still no shots on target..."

I’ll admit it, I’ve never been a Strachan fan. His smug quips and retorts to interviewers when at Parkhead raised my ire on many an occasion. However, when he took the reigns at Hampden I, along with countless others, was happy to give him the benefit of the doubt, given the debacle of the Levein era and ‘4-6-0’. To be fair, I think a management team of Jimmy Hill, Hitler and Katie Hopkins, with Berti Vogts as Director of Football, would’ve been welcomed by the Tartan Army at that point.

Strachan has been given an easy ride by the Scottish press, and sections of the Tartan Army, during this campaign. Admittedly we are still in with a shout of reaching third place. However, we were woeful against Gibraltar, woeful in Dublin, the home result against Ireland could’ve easily ended 0-0 and we did, as expected, against Germany – grafted but lost. The 2-2 draw against Poland seems the exception to the rule.

The result against a team ranked 147 in world sticks in the throat. Scotland were woefully inept, and surely some of the blame for this must sit with wee Gordon.

The choice of Alan Hutton at right back makes a mockery of Strachan’s early claims that players will be picked on form, rather than reputation. He has barely had a good game in the dark blue jersey since the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. The fact he can barely get a game for a distinctly average Aston Villa side says it all. All the ‘white Cafu’ nonsense of his younger days seems to have gone to his head, and defending, rather than rampaging forward with little intent, seems to be beneath him. Although I am far from an admirer, Steven Whittaker may offer a better alternative at right back – at least he is playing regular first team football.

The selection of Scott Brown and James Morrison in the heart of the midfield was also a baffling one, particularly away from home. Morrison is too dimunitive and soft to excel in the role. Brown, for all his (albeit limited) qualities, is not a holding midfielder and was woefully exposed at times, none more so than in the build up to Georgia’s goal. Interestingly, Strachan has the potential solution to this conundrum in his squad, yet fails to utilise him; Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur. He has flourished since the arrival of Alan Pardew at Palace, with his calm, unfussy style allowing the likes of Sako, Bolasie, Zaha and Cabaye express themselves in front of him. Surely he is worth consideration for the Germany game?

As for our alleged front man? Steven Fletcher would look more at home at a ‘hipster’ convention, with his tattoos and huge beard, than on an international football pitch. His Sunderland form is beyond dreadful at present. Having watched every Highland league team on several occasions over the last couple of years I have genuinely seen players at that level with more pace, desire and a better first touch. If proper scouting had taken place, Strachan & Co would’ve have seen that the Georgia centre halves had the turning circle of an arctic lorry and would struggle with pace in the channels, something that Fletcher doesn’t offer.  A certain Celtic front man, with a dodgy hair transplant, may well have provided this.

It is not all doom and gloom however. Shaun Maloney, despite his advancing years, still looks capable of producing something – whether from a smart through ball or a set piece. Andrew Robertson, although not his best game, should have the left back spot nailed down for the next few years. David Marshall and Craig Gordon ensure we are well stocked between the sticks, and Russell Martin is a serviceable centre half in this side.

I fully understand that Scotland is a ‘wee country’ and that we don’t have any top class talents available to us that other comparable nations have, such as Bale for Wales, Eriksen for Denmark, or the sublime Zlatan for Sweden. However, to progress, Strachan must take some gambles, try something different as the ‘tried and trusted’ simply won’t cut it.

Despite this, come Monday night, I will be sitting at home, with my Scotland shirt on proudly singing ‘Flower of Scotland’ and cheering our boys on in the unlikely pursuit of victory over the world champions, Germany. And do you know what? Knowing Scotland, a win wouldn’t surprise me...


Stuart Taylor is Wick Academy's team doctor. He is an Aberdeen fan, especially now they're doing well again