Thud!

With a thud!

That red strip is maroon. A "commercial decision"?!

We got pumped from an improving side who looked more capable than Lithuania and Ukraine. Their coach took a team outside of Germany's biggest clubs to the European Cup Final not long ago. His tactics were spot on. McLeish's changed midday when he opted for "the win" changing Dailly from the holder in a 4-1-3-2 to a 4-4-2 with Maloney.

Scotland are like most smaller nations; Fantastic first 11, mediocre squad. Dismantle the first 11 in more than two areas and it crumbles. He fielded players who had big-time experience but not much in the way of first team football this season instead of the internationally inexperienced who've not missed a game.

Which brings me to Darren Fletcher. I've seen him play outstanding; Once against Liverpool, once in the Champions League and once for Scotland. He serves only one purpose and is not the best at keeping possession. His distribution is mediocre (mostly sideways). Can't knock his earnest and sincere effort. He's always chasing. But we need decisiveness, precision, shooting even! It was a mistake to play him and say "he has an aura about him" cos he plays for Man Utd. Big Eck psychology back-fired there.

Pearson was woeful and Maloney didn't beat anyone 'til the last 10 minutes.

Our full-backs were lacking too far behind in ability from those they replaced.

As much as I despise him for his behaviour at Hibs, why is Kevin Thomson not in the squad as back-up? Or on reserve call-up? Was he injured?

Fully-fit, the line-up against Italy is the Old Firm 8 (4 from each), that run the back and midfield. Up front -the Premiership strike-force. Premiership man in the sticks too, of course. Fletcher's only hope of inclusion should be to neutralise the threat of Pirlo as a man-marker.......but we need to win so:

Gordon

Caldwell
Weir
McManus
Hutton

Ferguson
McCulloch
Brown
Hartley

Miller
McFadden



Maloney and Pearson to come on if needed. Maybe even, dare I say it, O'Connor (it's Italy so the big-time Charlie will be thinking about the papers the next day and flashing his ridiculous tattoos on the back-page as the hero).

I hope they're fully fit and all available. If they are I believe we can beat the World Champions.

Again.

World Champs England and Argentina have had it from us.

And 42 years!? It?s about time we beat Italy again then.

Maybe, in the last 5, we'll get awarded a dodgy penalty to make up for the 3 stonewallers we've been denied this week.