redford_must_score wrote:

SlatefordArab wrote:

Its been really interesting reading all the opinions and discourse since we went out - where it all went wrong etc.

Seems to be a popular opinion again that kids just need to play football at a young age and not worry about winning.  Only seems like a very short time ago everyone was saying the opposite - kids should not be rewarded for just taking part, we need to teach them competitive spirit etc etc.

I don't know what the answer is, having a national association and league that does everything to pander towards two clubs has to be the root of our issues though.

 

 
When you look at the quality of footballer being produced and the quality of results relating to small comparable countries it's clear that Scotland has fallen by the wayside. But it's also fair to say the manager has completely failed to get the best out of our own players in 3 successive tournaments.

You have nailed the problem - this small country and parochial mentality that revolves around the game's administrators and the two Glasgow clubs.

The country needs grass roots investment into indoor facilities (and outdoor) where football can be played and coached 365 days and investment into good European coaches to develop our talent in the right way. Coaches from Scandanavia, France, Spain etc, coaches who understand how to turn raw talent into international standard footballers.

We need to get rid of Scott Gemmill as Under 21 manager and replace him with a respected coach with a history of developing talent.

There's more we need to do but I won't bother typing it because the authorities don't care sufficiently to spend the money it would take. (I believe they have however financed a new stadium for the two big Glasgow ladies clubs)
They only really care about the continuation of the Celtic/Sevco domination of Scottish football.

Nothing will change. I fully expect someone like Steven Naismith or Duncan Ferguson will get the job. Depressing as fuck.

You are right, nothing will change. Nothing ever changes.

I really didn’t appreciate it until the arrival of our former Sporting Director, but, everything in Scottish football is “jobs for the boys” We are now such a joke, that I don’t think any half decent European coach will touch the Scotland job.

We learn nothing from other sports, we expect to recruit a new manager and qualify for the next tournament and it’s going to be different.

I actually think we start from scratch. Identify all round athletes of a minimum height (aged 16/17) and develop them as footballers. I would do this outwith the club system on a regional “pathway” system. Naturally the attrition rate will be high, but, at least the majority would have “b” plans (rather than playing lower league football). Of the ones who progress, I would enroll them on a “soccer scholarship in a US university. They would have to complete a degree programme which would include learning one European language. Thereafter have a farm out system to mainland European teams.

But, of course, it will never happen. We will have another gimmick with a bunch of former Scottish managers then: “Only an Excuse”