Scotland fans are losing faith in new manager Sebastien Pocognoli after a 3-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Nations League, with some already demanding the return of Steve Clarke just months after he stepped down.
Pocognoli's reign began with a goalless draw away to Slovenia before the heavy loss to the Swiss, and Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, called on the SFA to dispense with the former Monaco coach and bring back Clarke less than four months after he resigned following Scotland's tame World Cup showing.
He said: "Scotland's new boss Sebastien Pocognoli and the national team were gubbed by Switzerland, a team who's country is more famous for cuckoo clocks than football. And the hierarchy who employed the new boss must be cuckoo in thinking he will take us on a road to glory. At this rate we will be bottom of all the competition we entere. Bring back Steve Clarke before we all go cuckoo."
Fans question Scotland's quality
A similarly frustrated Jamie Thompson, Glasgow, added: "Can someone please explain why the Scotland team and Scottish football (in general) is so poor? It's like watching a Scottish Premiership team that has been getting kicked out europe every year for decades. There is a boring lack of football talent and we look like wee boys against real, quality teams. scottish supporters are being taken for fools."
Skipper Andy Robertson is set to win his 100th cap for Scotland in Skopje this weekend, edging closer to Kenny Dalglish's all-time record of 102 caps. But Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, compared Robertson unfavourably to Dalglish, describing him as a 'spam sandwich' against a 'plateful of caviar'.
He said: "As Andy Robertson achieves his one hundredth cap on Saturday and goes within two of King Kenny, my warmest congratulations are in order. However, having witnessed both players performing in the Scotland shirt throughout the years, I'd have to say comparing Robertson to Dalglish on ability is akin to a spam sandwich and a plateful of caviar."
Old Firm midfielders compared
Benjamin Nygren and Nico Raskin were both linked with moves away from Celtic and Rangers respectively in the summer, and Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, offered a detailed comparison of the two midfielders.
He wrote: "There has been debate regarding who is worth more between Nygren and Raskin, although both are midfielders one is more defensive and the other more attacking. The only way to look at the stats is both clubs overall performances with both players playing for their clubs, first Raskin has racked up over 900 minutes this season whilst Nygren less than 700.
"Nygren as expected has more goal contributions being a more attacking midfielder whilst Raskin has been involved in more clean sheets but he is a defensive midfielder. The true way to judge would be both players involvements in wins per minute played this season which Raskin has the better stat than Nygren by the narrowest of margins which doesn't tell much between the two but Raskin's defensive qualities shine out as Raskin has a better clean sheet ratio than Nygren based on minutes played.
"Raskin having played more minutes especially when missing games at the start of the season due to potential transfer activity has steadied a ship at Rangers whilst Nygren has been a bit part player for Celtic. This doesn't make Nygren a bad player but the stats suggest Raskin is more important at club level than Nygren.
"Valuations of players are only what another club is willing to pay, unfortunately the goal contribution takes slightly more of an advantage than a far superior clean sheet record so although the stats suggest Raskin may be worth more contract length and goal contributions can make a big difference so the stats go out the window and the fans can go on with their normal banter on the Hotline."
Celtic's new German international
However, Jack Smith, Perth, thinks attention should instead turn to Celtic's latest international debutant, Mika Baur, who made his bow for Jurgen Klopp's Germany on Thursday night.
He added: "There has been so much talk about Nico Raskin and Arne Engels on here and transfer valuations over the last few months, but Mika Baur could trump anything we have seen before. Only 22, now a German international and has plenty of room to grow. Yes, we've not seen his very best so far at Celtic but if Jurgen Klopp can see a player in there, then there must be some real talent. The sky's the limit for him now and Celtic could benefit big time."
