World cup 2026

I was listening to Talk Sport and Jordan posed the question as to why a team like Ghana can set up similar to Scotland, and actually hold England to a nil nil draw where we are unable to do that.

Comparing the squads, there's not much between them, except athletically. If you look at many sports, black athletes dominant in a lot of them. Bigger, stronger, quicker. Very much genetics. If you took all the black players out of the England team, they'd be very average. Sadly Scotland doesn't have many black athletes and players to choose from.

Suppose we did draw 0-0 away to England in a recent Euros
 
And yet the greatest of all time is a 5ft7 white man from Argentina 😂

The reason Ghana held England to a 0-0 draw is because England are one of the most overrated nations going. They're bang average. The reason our manager can't tactically set up a team to be affective in big games is because he doesn't have rugby park to do it on.

Of course there's the exception to the rule. My observation is more to do with speed, strength and athleticism. A lot of the African aren't as skillful, or technically gifted as other players, but in today's modern game, being fast and strong is just as important.

Just look at our defense. I'd say Rocky is faster and stronger than the others in his position, just not as polished.

Look at France. A lot of there players come from African descent and they are one of the most dominant teams in the world.
 
I was listening to Talk Sport and Jordan posed the question as to why a team like Ghana can set up similar to Scotland, and actually hold England to a nil nil draw where we are unable to do that.

Comparing the squads, there's not much between them, except athletically. If you look at many sports, black athletes dominant in a lot of them. Bigger, stronger, quicker. Very much genetics. If you took all the black players out of the England team, they'd be very average. Sadly Scotland doesn't have many black athletes and players to choose from.
No just little talent, a huge mentality issue from the SFA downwards.
 
I was listening to Talk Sport and Jordan posed the question as to why a team like Ghana can set up similar to Scotland, and actually hold England to a nil nil draw where we are unable to do that.

Comparing the squads, there's not much between them, except athletically. If you look at many sports, black athletes dominant in a lot of them. Bigger, stronger, quicker. Very much genetics. If you took all the black players out of the England team, they'd be very average. Sadly Scotland doesn't have many black athletes and players to choose from.
The difference in the athleticism between scotland and ivory coast at everton was striking. They strolled most of the game then last 10 mins were bursting into the box but runs with purpose and huge amount of skill and game awareness. We are miles off their level. Not sure if its genetics or attitude. We did have a fast scotsman once a certain allan wells. Its strange there is very few scots with pace because they are loads of rapid kids at youth level. Maybe its coached out of them but pace a huge weapon. Gordon hunter a decent defender but he was very quick which meant he could recover if he made a mistake. Gordon durie another very rapid hibee. Ivan probably the last really quick player.
 
The difference in the athleticism between scotland and ivory coast at everton was striking. They strolled most of the game then last 10 mins were bursting into the box but runs with purpose and huge amount of skill and game awareness. We are miles off their level. Not sure if its genetics or attitude. We did have a fast scotsman once a certain allan wells. Its strange there is very few scots with pace because they are loads of rapid kids at youth level. Maybe its coached out of them but pace a huge weapon. Gordon hunter a decent defender but he was very quick which meant he could recover if he made a mistake. Gordon durie another very rapid hibee. Ivan probably the last really quick player.

The difference in SJM when he was last at ER compared to when he left was stark. All of that Villa team were far more developed.
 
Both teams look happy for a draw in Japan Sweden.
Feeling the vibe of the disgraceful austria v germany fixed stalemate in these games. Weve been shafted by the draw and playing our last games early. The minute they said there was 8 of 12 third place teams going through there was always going to some dodgy fixtures. Out on goal difference yet again. Im not to fussed to be honest as mexico would have horsed us anyway especially in that heat.
 
Feeling the vibe of the disgraceful austria v germany fixed stalemate in these games. Weve been shafted by the draw and playing our last games early. The minute they said there was 8 of 12 third place teams going through there was always going to some dodgy fixtures. Out on goal difference yet again. Im not to fussed to be honest as mexico would have horsed us anyway especially in that heat.
Aye as soon as your progression gets influenced by what happens in other groups it makes it ripe for a carve-up, with all the games taking place at different times.
 
The difference in the athleticism between scotland and ivory coast at everton was striking. They strolled most of the game then last 10 mins were bursting into the box but runs with purpose and huge amount of skill and game awareness. We are miles off their level. Not sure if its genetics or attitude. We did have a fast scotsman once a certain allan wells. Its strange there is very few scots with pace because they are loads of rapid kids at youth level. Maybe its coached out of them but pace a huge weapon. Gordon hunter a decent defender but he was very quick which meant he could recover if he made a mistake. Gordon durie another very rapid hibee. Ivan probably the last really quick player.
I was talking about this last night. I have to say that for all their faults - that England squad is full of athletes - he may be a miserable sod but Jude Bellingham is taller, fitter and stronger than any of our lot. Same goes for Harry Kane, Madueke and Rashford and the rest. Where are the Scottish equivalents?
 
Never thought of that.Some tremendous athletes in the scots rugby team. Maybe the gfa should look at their fitness programmes as we compete against much better funded and organised leagues to a hugely impressive level at rugby. Can only cite attitude as one possible difference. The rugger boys bust a gut every game and are very rarely found wanting on effort. Just a thought.
 
Playing Rugby.
That's probably true. There's an elite coaching system in Rugby - certainly some of the public schools give scholarships for sport now. That said, Finn Russell who is now one of the best paid players in the world, did it the old school way (he's from Bofa and went to school with my nieces). His Dad, Keith, took him to coaching on saturdays and he worked as stonemason after school while he trained in his spare time before sodding off to New Zealand to learn to play the game their way.

It also probably helps that he a radge.
 
That's probably true. There's an elite coaching system in Rugby - certainly some of the public schools give scholarships for sport now. That said, Finn Russell who is now one of the best paid players in the world, did it the old school way (he's from Bofa and went to school with my nieces). His Dad, Keith, took him to coaching on saturdays and he worked as stonemason after school while he trained in his spare time before sodding off to New Zealand to learn to play the game their way.

It also probably helps that he a radge.

I only really know from when I was at school or through the boys clubs. But the lads we went to school with, that played rugby were in the gym from about 13 year old and were the only lads that would beat us in the beep test. Guys smaller than me physically stronger, much higher power to weight ratios.

It's taken seriously in a different way from football at youth levels.
We were at Drummond with no school rugby and one of the lads was allowed to go play for Broughton high.
Don't think that's allowed for football?

This was over 20 years ago now though, so I could be out of date.
 
Ironically this is one of the reasons I'm a bit snobby about sports like rugby and all the popular American sports. They are very much biased in favour of physical attributes and athleticism while football, although speed/strength/height are definitely advantageous they aren't the be-all and end-all, technical ability and skill can more than make up the difference. If you spend more time in the gym than on the training pitch practicing technique/tactics in your given sport it's a crap sport IMO, might as well take up powerlifting or hammer-throwing.
 
I only really know from when I was at school or through the boys clubs. But the lads we went to school with, that played rugby were in the gym from about 13 year old and were the only lads that would beat us in the beep test. Guys smaller than me physically stronger, much higher power to weight ratios.

It's taken seriously in a different way from football at youth levels.
We were at Drummond with no school rugby and one of the lads was allowed to go play for Broughton high.
Don't think that's allowed for football?

This was over 20 years ago now though, so I could be out of date.
Drummond had a rugby team (might have been Bellevue) in 1971. I played for the Trinity team that beat them 56-0
 
Ironically this is one of the reasons I'm a bit snobby about sports like rugby and all the popular American sports. They are very much biased in favour of physical attributes and athleticism while football, although speed/strength/height are definitely advantageous they aren't the be-all and end-all, technical ability and skill can more than make up the difference. If you spend more time in the gym than on the training pitch practicing technique/tactics in your given sport it's a crap sport IMO, might as well take up powerlifting or hammer-throwing.

I really like the American sport system though.
Almost every school has a program of some sort.

Bit overkill for us with the stadiums and money, but an actual sport program would go a long way I think.
 
100% agree. Amateur sums it up. A coach at one of the easts top youth sides previously was involved in a team who had 2 games abandoned due to mass brawls. I bet he doesnt coach ball control and movement. Soul destroying watching kids never developing as they should due to dinasour coaching.

A youth coach through here got busted as part of a £500K drugs raid. How did they get a PVG?
 
I really like the American sport system though.
Almost every school has a program of some sort.

Bit overkill for us with the stadiums and money, but an actual sport program would go a long way I think.

Americans are shite at elite football.

But love their sport programs
 
Liam Gallagher 90S GIF by Oasis
 
Americans are shite at elite football.

But love their sport programs

Elite football isn't their thing tbf.
I think it's on its way though, there'll be more Americans in the top leagues in the years to come.

But an American style system, from primary all through high school would make far better footballers over here.

Nae college ball though, should all be signed etc before then. So I dunno how good that would really work here.
Just always wished I had a program like that when I was younger. In any sport. Just wanted to compete.


*** Wouldn't work here anyway, amount of money involved in American sports, I'm no even sure it's about the athletes.

Is it Texas that makes more money through their high school football (American style) than most NFL teams do in their season.
Massive business.
 
Americans are shite at elite football.

I watched the USA v Turkey game last night and it was a great, entertaining match. Both teams were very good and put on a show. USA under Pochettino should do ok but defensively they were a bit naive. They conceded the winning goal at the very end but both teams were going for it which was great to see. Say what you like about the USA football set up but the national team is improving all the time. I think with Pochettino as coach they could do pretty well.
 
100% agree. Amateur sums it up. A coach at one of the easts top youth sides previously was involved in a team who had 2 games abandoned due to mass brawls. I bet he doesnt coach ball control and movement. Soul destroying watching kids never developing as they should due to dinasour coaching.
I witnessed 2 coaches, one from Tynecastle and one from Celtic Boys Club having a row when the Celtc coach tried tae tap one of the Tynie players. That player was Darren Fletcher.
The Tynie coach was murdered a couple of years later outside a boozer in Constitution Street.
 
So we need Senegal Iraq to be a draw, right? Senegal up 1 nil, that's all they need isn't it? Iraq red card, that's just about it I think??
 
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I think we need Algeria tae get beat by more than 1 goal and/or, I'm no sure if its both, Iran tae get beat, and/or, Uruguay tae get beat and Cape Verdi tae draw or better, and or, Ghana tae beat Croatia by 3.
Got me quite confused here. :dunno1:
 
I never said it wasn't I said I wasn't the one who brought him up you made out I used our national side as an excuse to slate gray when I never brought him up first and only replied to a message about Gray and how he'll set us up.
Fair enough
It just saddens me that Hibs supporters are so keen to shoot down such a man, when really, he is doing okay, without doubt loves and respects the club and fans, is still a young manager on a learning curve and has given us consecutive top 6 and Europe for the first time in a million years.😃
 
I think we need Algeria tae get beat by more than 1 goal and/or, I'm no sure if its both, Iran tae get beat, and/or, Uruguay tae get beat and Cape Verdi tae draw or better, and or, Ghana tae beat Croatia by 3.
Got me quite confused here. :dunno1:

I'm confused tae! How about Belgium, surely they are a shoe in to beat NZ?
 
You would think previous World Cups would have taught us the need to score goals against supposedly weaker opponents or it comes back to bite you.
 
You would think previous World Cups would have taught us the need to score goals against supposedly weaker opponents or it comes back to bite you.
Its alright knowing Doug, its having the ability we're struggling wi.
 
The difference in the athleticism between scotland and ivory coast at everton was striking. They strolled most of the game then last 10 mins were bursting into the box but runs with purpose and huge amount of skill and game awareness. We are miles off their level. Not sure if its genetics or attitude. We did have a fast scotsman once a certain allan wells. Its strange there is very few scots with pace because they are loads of rapid kids at youth level. Maybe its coached out of them but pace a huge weapon. Gordon hunter a decent defender but he was very quick which meant he could recover if he made a mistake. Gordon durie another very rapid hibee. Ivan probably the last really quick player.
George McNeill. He was denied running in the Olympics or Commonwealths because he had been paid as a football player (only one game in Hibs first team (but 5 years in the reserves). He was one of the fastest men in the world at one point.
 
George McNeill. He was denied running in the Olympics or Commonwealths because he had been paid as a football player (only one game in Hibs first team (but 5 years in the reserves). He was one of the fastest men in the world at one point.
From Tranent I think.
 
Face It. We don't deserve to go through. We've stunk out this tournament the same way we did in the last 2 Euros. Other supposed minnows seem happy to have a go. Nothing to lose. We just keep trying not to get beat, with a defence that can't defend and an attack that doesn't score goals. Like Hibs, but worse.