After Playing 4-4-1-1 against Macedonia, 4-3-3 against Iceland, and 4-5-1 against Norway, and now 4-4-2 angainst Argentina, one has to wonder if George Burley is ever going to play the same formation for more than one game, thus creating the fluidity and consistancy that Scotland were so obviously missing last night at Hampden Park.

Good News!

Scotland boss George Burley has confirmed Barry Ferguson will return to the side for Wednesday's friendly with Argentina.

Ferguson has not played since the Italy game last year at Hampden park because of injury, but is now ready to make his first start under new manager George Burley.

It would appear the English FA have spat their dummies out over the newly announced International home nations friendly tournament, due to start in 2011.

One has to wonder if this has anything to do with the rest of the *cough* British *coughs* Football association's failure to agree to join Team GB...

There is a St Andrew's Night Celebration being held in York on Friday 28 November, by the York Hearts Supporters Club.

It should appeal to any Scots, not just Jambos. The Dinner is being held at the Park Inn Hotel in North Street.

Tickets are £25, which includes a hot meal (haggis, neeps and tatties or a veggie alternative); a disco; a late bar with plenty of malt whisky and a quiz, a raffle and auction.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM:

The Association of Tartan Army clubs (ATAC - Scotland)
Football Supporters Federation (FSF - England)
Football Supporters Federation Cymru (FSF - Wales) and
Amalgamation of Official NI Fans Clubs (AONISC - Northern Ireland)

FANS GROUPS OPPOSE OLYMPIC TEAM

Scotland Failed to raise any eyebrows with their win against Iceland, what was probably more notable was the performance.

Playing in an unfamiliar 4-3-3, Scotland started off slowly, with Iceland looking dangerous with every move, with Aaron Gunnarsson and Birkir Saevarsson looking particulaly dangerous. By contrast, Scotland looked unorganised in defence, and unimaginative going forward.

So, one game into the qualifiers, and the media are already touting Scotland for a disapointing campaign, an opinion that Gary Caldwell differs with.

"To judge it over one game is incredible, to say we are out this early" Caldwell said.
"We know we have got a team that is capable of winning games and qualifying."

Shocking, Disgraceful and Awful, just some of the words i would use to describe the referees performance. To Award a free kick, that should have been a yellow card for a CLEAR dive, and then to turn down 2 clear penalties within the space of 5 seconds and THEN book James McFadden for diving, has got to go down as a bad day in the office for the referee, and for FIFA to continually reject the idea of video replays, to me is astonishing.

So, the Qualifiers are finally upon us, and Saturdays game will determine whether Burley can continue the great form shown by Scotland in the European Championship qualifiers of the last 2 years. Lets hope so.

I have heard it said its an easy group, but lets face it, EVERY game is key, as was proven in the Euro's with the 2-0 away defeat in Georgia.

With the Northern Ireland match now behind us, attention turns to the Macedonia and Iceland matches in just over a fortnight's time. As has been discussed on the forums, there is a couple of fans from the Yorkshire region who are travelling away but for the rest of us who will be here, The Sports Cafe in Leeds looks like it will be the place to be as we begin our journey to South Africa.