Webster in Action

By Graham Barnstaple
September 9 2012

After yesterday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Serbia at Hampden it is surely time for Scotland manager Craig Levein to have a re-think on his approach.

When the fixtures for the qualifying campaign were announced everyone was delighted we had the opening two at home. The results from these games were to provide us with a platform for the rest of the games.

After only taking a point from the first game, it means the best we can get is four points from six, and this could leave us playing catch up already. The only thing that could keep us in touch is the factBelgiumare playingCroatiaon Tuesday after both had won their opening fixtures.

In my mind yesterday’s result is definitely a case of two points lost as it turned out Serbia were a poor side and were there for the beating if we had been prepared to commit more men forward.

The choice of formation led to us being happy to play with only one man up front, and sadly with Kenny Miller being that man it was never going to work. Miller has played that role manfully over the years but is no longer equipped to take it on.

Given this was a home game we were hoping to make a statement in I would have preferred to see us playing 4-4-2 withRhodesup beside Miller. The four in midfield could play a diamond withCaldwellas the holding player, Morrison and Adams as the two midfield players and Shaun Maloney at the other point of the diamond behind the strikers.

Levein seems intent on standing by the players who have served him well rather than go with the philosophy of picking the players on form. Alan Hutton doesn’t really have a club at the moment and isn’t match fit, Naismith is coming back from injury and is short of game time and they have been picked. Shaun Maloney has been on fire atWigansits on the bench for 90 minutes!!

The three players who came on, Mackie, Forrest and Rhodes showed more promise in the closing ten minutes than we had seen in the previous 80. Hopefully this sends a message to the manager and he goes on a more offensive approach on Tuesday.

This is all without mentioning the elephant in the room which is Steven Fletcher!! Levein could be in trouble if we do not beatMacedoniaon Tuesday, and loss of public sympathy could force the SFA to look elsewhere for a Manager.