Charlie Adam

[Buzzo]

I’m not disputing that, I was just pointing out that Scotland played their best (most threatening) football when he was off the field, not necessarily because he was off the field.

Scotland did 'ok' against Spain. 'OK' would ecompass the worst case scenario of getting thrashed. We made some chances at the end of the first half, and should have scored a second when Goodwillie went for glory () and should have squared for a tap in. 3-1 probably defines where Scotland are in football terms against a Spain team going through the motions.

The criticism of Adam reminds me of the criticism Alonso used to receive in his second season with us. Hopefully Charlie can take his form on as Xabi did. He has bridged the gulf in class reasonably well in my opinion, but I'd like to think we can expect more.

[Mattshark]

has he? I've been impressed with him so far and think he's settled in well. If we can close the gap between defence and attack, it'll suit him better. I honestly don't know what people want, I mean 12 months ago we were ****ed as a club and now there are so many positives and we have a player trying to make the step up who actually wants to be here and wants to do well for us.

I can't agree, I think he has been average doesn't imo offer enough to be a long term player for us.

[RedReet]

Scotland did 'ok' against Spain. 'OK' would ecompass the worst case scenario of getting thrashed. We made some chances at the end of the first half, and should have scored a second when Goodwillie went for glory () and should have squared for a tap in. 3-1 probably defines where Scotland are in football terms against a Spain team going through the motions.

The criticism of Adam reminds me of the criticism Alonso used to receive in his second season with us. Hopefully Charlie can take his form on as Xabi did. He has bridged the gulf in class reasonably well in my opinion, but I'd like to think we can expect more.

That's fair enough and I'm not criticising Adam BTW.

In the context of the ‘Scotland were ****, so Adam was ****’ vs ‘Scotland were ok’ debate, was just pointing out from what I seen their ‘ok’ spell came when he was off the pitch.

Obviously I didn’t see the first half as mentioned earlier.

[Buzzo]

Maybe Scotland should apply to come out of International football and enter the English Leagues. They would probably be a half decent lower/mid table team in the Championship. If they dropped down to League one you might even occassionally get to see them lose the odd Play Off final.

...Looks at bait, assesses appetising nature of bait.

Decides to swim on by...

[Arn]

If you are a great player then the team shouldn't be forced to change tactics to suit you. A great player can play in whatever system the manager use without any problem.

As I see it Adam is a player that only should play centrally in a 4-3-3. He isn't good enough to play centrally in a 4-4-2 at a top club.

That means we must change system to suit him. That means that he is nothing more than a squad player that is good to have if we play 4-3-3.

I wouldn't even have him on the bench in a 4-4-2. I see Spearing as a better option than him in a 4-4-2.

[Buzzo]

That's fair enough and I'm not criticising Adam BTW.

In the context of the ‘Scotland were ****, so Adam was ****’ vs ‘Scotland were ok’ debate, was just pointing out from what I seen their ‘ok’ spell came when he was off the pitch.

Obviously I didn’t see the first half as mentioned earlier.

You didn't miss much.

[Rowan]

...Looks at bait, assesses appetising nature of bait.

Decides to swim on by...

I'd never admit this in public but I'd far rather see Scotland do well than England. Apart from what the fact that following Scotland seems to somewhat amount to self harm at least there isn't the deluded feeling of entitlement that you should win everything (despite having done nothing in over 50 years to justify that) and I get the impression that the support can't possibly be about the footy at least it isn't about shaving your head and smashing up foreign bars.

Plus it must be nice to take such suprise and joy from the little things (like a draw at home to Moldova).

As for Charlie Adam. I don't give a toss how he does for your lot but am convinced that he's only missing one key component from his game (well two). However, worryingly they are mobility and athleticism which I'm not sure you can learn later in life. He'll do well as a squaddie but I struggle to see past that. Maybe Gerrard's return will show us a different player.

[Buzzo]

I'd never admit this in public but I'd far rather see Scotland do well than England. Apart from what the fact that following Scotland seems to somewhat amount to self harm at least there isn't the deluded feeling of entitlement that you should win everything (despite having done nothing in over 50 years to justify that) and I get the impression that the support can't possibly be about the footy at least it isn't about shaving your head and smashing up foreign bars.

Plus it must be nice to take such suprise and joy from the little things (like a draw at home to Moldova).

As for Charlie Adam. I don't give a toss how he does for your lot but am convinced that he's only missing one key component from his game (well two). However, worryingly they are mobility and athleticism which I'm not sure you can learn later in life. He'll do well as a squaddie but I struggle to see past that. Maybe Gerrard's return will show us a different player.

Thats about sums up our lot as Scotland supporters, you expect little, and get the odd surprise like when we beat France. But basically you are resigned to not much happening. Trips away with the national team are amazing, and the football normally ends up being a bit of a distraction. Women around Europe love, and I mean LOVE men in kilts. Supporting England looks rubbish, basically not being happy unless you win a trophy, and not realising that there is no divine right to this... Added to the perhaps unfair hatred of all travelling England supporters by the majority of Europe for the reasons you illustrated.

Adam wise, yeah I agree too. He has been ok. Needs to dominate games a bit more like a latter day Alonso, I think he has the ability, but perhaps lacks the Athleticism and perhaps belief. As a footballer he has progressed a hell of a long way in acouple of years though, so given time he could turn into a bit of a player for us. Who knows

[Tee]

I thought Adam did ok v Spain all things considered. His volleyed first time cross in the second half was a pure Alonsoesque moment, but generally I agree he does seem to lack the mobility/athleticism to be the very best.

[Craig_H]

If you are a great player then the team shouldn't be forced to change tactics to suit you. A great player can play in whatever system the manager use without any problem.

As I see it Adam is a player that only should play centrally in a 4-3-3. He isn't good enough to play centrally in a 4-4-2 at a top club.

That means we must change system to suit him. That means that he is nothing more than a squad player that is good to have if we play 4-3-3.

I wouldn't even have him on the bench in a 4-4-2. I see Spearing as a better option than him in a 4-4-2.

Lampard/Gerrard for England?

[RedReet]

I wanted to say Messi, but didn't want to get involved.

[Neil Young]

It seems like a circular argument to me. If you define a great player as one who is able to perform to a high level in any system then a player who only performs well in certain systems isn't, by definition, a great player.

But all this doesn't get us anywhere.

So far Adam doesn't seem as adaptable as we might like but (a) it might just be that he will be once he settles in or (b) he might learn. If it's (a) we simply need to give him time. If it's (b) then we simply need to give him time.

And it could be (c) either way he won't be good enough. And to find that out we simply need to give him time.

[Kenneth]

I wanted to say Messi, but didn't want to get involved.

Trying to imagine how he'd get on in Roy's Weat Brom side.

[Buzzo]

It seems like a circular argument to me. If you define a great player as one who is able to perform to a high level in any system then a player who only performs well in certain systems isn't, by definition, a great player.

But all this doesn't get us anywhere.

So far Adam doesn't seem as adaptable as we might like but (a) it might just be that he will be once he settles in or (b) he might learn. If it's (a) we simply need to give him time. If it's (b) then we simply need to give him time.

And it could be (c) either way he won't be good enough. And to find that out we simply need to give him time.

I vote we debate the point Ad Nauseum.

Circular arguements

[Neil Young]

We can go round and round until we know whether it's (a), (b) or (c).