Scotland

[theonlywayisup]

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But kids don't seem to play "bounce" games any more. I walked through the meadows last Sunday and there was not one game going on. When I was young (40 odd years ago) every blade of grass had a game going on. We played for the love of the game. Jumpers for goalposts.

And I'm sure it's the same in every country in northern Europe, yet we seem to have been more drastically affected. It's got to be more than that!

[GreenCastle]

I actually think we do have some good youth players up to the age of around 14 then they are basically ruined by coaches bad advice / poor club management / bad parent advice / other distractions ( alcohol / bad diet).

But still see the main problem being those who run the game and several who work for the SFA are clowns.

[Wee Effen Bee]

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Easy tiger..I have plenty PE teaching friends - some very good ones in fact.

I also know some schools who don't do enough physical activity and hence why we have quite a few kids over weight - diet contributes also - both at school and home.

Tell me more about the curriculum then ? Do you feel it's teaching enough ABCs and a mixture of different sports ? Rugby and Tennis taught in these schools also along with cycling since these seem to be the main Scottish sports ? Are the teachers specialist in football at school or just hired to do various sports (which is fine) but to go to the next level kids need to do specific sport related practice.

Just picked this up. It's OK to blame teachers as you have a 'plenty' of PE teaching friends - very good. Perhaps you should listen to them when they talk about what they provide for their students.
If you do know of some schools who are not fulfilling the two hourly PE sessions a week (minimum) mandate then name them. The Scottish govt. and the CofEdin. Council will be very concerned that this major part of the curriculum is not being met.
Children aren't fat because they don't do sports at school - please stop pedalling this lazy-answer garbage.
Lets see, the three council primary schools, I'm involved with, practise , basketball, football, hockey, golf, rugby, athletics, gymnastics, swimming and other bits and pieces (such as dance) as part of the curriculum throughout the year. Of course there is also the Daily Mile where many schools, not just in Edinburgh but across Scotland, take part in whole-class running each day!
Now add to that the Active sports programme where after-school and lunchtime clubs are provided. At the moment, I know there are clubs for: cycling, judo, rugby, golf, hip hop, dance, basketball, cross country, tennis as well as football sevens. Each school I know of have at least two football teams - boys and girls. The PE curriculum was revamped a while ago and youngsters are taught various aspects of fitness, nutrition and emotional well-being. They are also taught the various skills required in those sports they practise.
The blame for us being poor at football has nothing to do with schools or those unheralded parents/carers who slavishly give up huge amounts of their time for free.

[Colr]

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As a footballing nation, we are really really poor.

How bad is it going to be before this proud nation does something about it.

I don't blame Strachan. I don't blame today's players.

No the blames lies with all of those who have input into Scottish football for the last 30 years. We are getting increasingly worse.

The quality of player today is miles worse than where we were 30 years ago.

I blame the schools. I blame the pro-youth teams. I blame the boys football teams. I blame the Government. I blame the professional football teams. I blame the dads that take their sons football teams. You're all to blame.

Small countries like Scotland need the luck of having a couple of world class players emerge at the same time to make an impact Dalglish was our Bale.

We haven't got anyone that's that good at the moment.

I'm not so sure kids play football as much as they used to.

[GreenCastle]

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Just picked this up. It's OK to blame teachers as you have a 'plenty' of PE teaching friends - very good. Perhaps you should listen to them when they talk about what they provide for their students.
If you do know of some schools who are not fulfilling the two hourly PE sessions a week (minimum) mandate then name them. The Scottish govt. and the CofEdin. Council will be very concerned that this major part of the curriculum is not being met.
Children aren't fat because they don't do sports at school - please stop pedalling this lazy-answer garbage.
Lets see, the three council primary schools, I'm involved with, practise , basketball, football, hockey, golf, rugby, athletics, gymnastics, swimming and other bits and pieces (such as dance) as part of the curriculum throughout the year. Of course there is also the Daily Mile where many schools, not just in Edinburgh but across Scotland, take part in whole-class running each day!
Now add to that the Active sports programme where after-school and lunchtime clubs are provided. At the moment, I know there are clubs for: cycling, judo, rugby, golf, hip hop, dance, basketball, cross country, tennis as well as football sevens. Each school I know of have at least two football teams - boys and girls. The PE curriculum was revamped a while ago and youngsters are taught various aspects of fitness, nutrition and emotional well-being. They are also taught the various skills required in those sports they practise.
The blame for us being poor at football has nothing to do with schools or those unheralded parents/carers who slavishly give up huge amounts of their time for free.

Fair response.

I wasn't blaming the teachers as I know the challenges they have and amount of planning many have to do to obtain a role and then fulfil it.

Feedback from friends who are teachers though do tell me a lot is often is expected of them and they need help. High numbers in classes etc and a curriculum and homework schedule which can be a struggle.

I also know the push for children to do sport with after schools clubs and many both and girls sports clubs.

My point is that what is in the curriculum isn't enough - the minimum amount I feel - kids should do more at school and the walking initiatives are good ideas but not all schools do that in Scotland.

I also want football qualified specific coaches going into schools to help the PE teachers teach boys and girls the basics of the game. This should happen with other sports to allowing kids to get a head start before they go to their football clubs etc.

You can also take this further back and ask them to do more in nurseries. They are proven drop out rates of older kids also at school doing sport including girls.

I think it would be very short sighted to say the current system is fine. It needs improvement and I appreciate all the work teachers do - was never a dig at them.

[Wee Effen Bee]

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Fair response.

I wasn't blaming the teachers as I know the challenges they have and amount of planning many have to do to obtain a role and then fulfil it.

Feedback from friends who are teachers though do tell me a lot is often is expected of them and they need help. High numbers in classes etc and a curriculum and homework schedule which can be a struggle.

I also know the push for children to do sport with after schools clubs and many both and girls sports clubs.

My point is that what is in the curriculum isn't enough - the minimum amount I feel - kids should do more at school and the walking initiatives are good ideas but not all schools do that in Scotland.

I also want football qualified specific coaches going into schools to help the PE teachers teach boys and girls the basics of the game. This should happen with other sports to allowing kids to get a head start before they go to their football clubs etc.

You can also take this further back and ask them to do more in nurseries. They are proven drop out rates of older kids also at school doing sport including girls.

I think it would be very short sighted to say the current system is fine. It needs improvement and I appreciate all the work teachers do - was nerve a dig at them.

Fair dos Castle. Funny thing is, I agree up to a point with your point on more can be done. I would prefer at least 5 hours of physical activity/learning a week for all youngsters. Very few primary schools have PE teachers on-site. If the money was there, I would have specialists in every single school and they would be linked to local sports clubs (football, rugby, hockey, swimming etc.) so the learning could go on for lots more out of school.
The primary curriculum is so full and education has changed so much over the past 10 years that expectations are viewed more holistically now. There are so many different factors to be taken into account that it would be impossible to attach blame or seek a solution from one aspect of society. Look at Ireland and wales, similar class of players almost, but we appear to be light years behind at the moment.
PS, the daily mile is 15 minutes running and more and more schools are participating

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

People say it starts at the bottom but I disagree, it starts at the top.

Our football structure has been the same for far too long. Scotland thrived when we had a larger league structure and when teams were able to field youngsters without the cut throat environment of "top flight football" look at the current premiership table. A 2 game swing could see the team in 6th bottom and vice versa. In that situation is a team going to promote youth or sign football journeymen to continue to get by?

I've said it for long enough, we need government intervention to sort this nonsense out. Those at the top table are happy taking big fat cheques but contribute nothing between them in terms of a long term vision for Scottish football.

Maybe once there's a clear plan in place will kids once again dreaming of growing up and playing for their club or country.

In terms of "grassroots" the pitches couldn't be any better. So any kid nowadays has the perfect environment. Rip the whole structure to pieces and start again. Top to bottom and in 10/15/20 years we will see benefits.

But then again, in that situation there might actually be competition for the cancer of our game through the west so those in position of power will never go for that

[Allant1981]

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No we really don't hence why most are playing at average teams.

Our most expensive player can't even get a game..Burke.

Yes we do, marshall, robertson, teirney, morrison, snodgrass, anya, mcarthur, griffiths, rhodes, mccormack are all good players

[pontius pilate]

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Yes we do, marshall, robertson, teirney, morrison, snodgrass, anya, mcarthur, griffiths, rhodes, mccormack are all good players

along with phillips and ritchie these guys should be the ones that take us forward

[SouthsideHarp_Bhoy]

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So who do you blame for not producing another 100m Olympic Gold medalist after Alan Wells. The parents the schools the coaches.

If the kids are not interested or not good enough there is nothing you can do about it.

Strict anti-doping controls....?

[GreenCastle]

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Yes we do, marshall, robertson, teirney, morrison, snodgrass, anya, mcarthur, griffiths, rhodes, mccormack are all good players

Marshall - wasn't picked last night - plays for Hull (lower EPL team)

Robertson and Snodgrass also Hull

Tierney and LG - Celtic

Morrison - West Brom

McArthur - Palace

Rhodes - Middlesbrough

McCormack - Villa

Anya - Derby

Average players playing for average teams..that's if they are actually selected - they aren't even the best player in their respective teams.

Only Celtic players have European experience the rest are no where near the Europa League or Champions League playing against the best.

[chinaman]

Hutton got 50 ***IN CAPS Now that's how ***** our country has been.

[theonlywayisup]

Another example of all that is wrong with Scottish football today - a great example of anti-football, where the main focus is on stopping the other team playing rather than trying to pass the ball yourself and be creative with it. Falkirk only seem to score from balls into the box, create havoc and hope to pick up the second balls.

[Ozyhibby]

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Another example of all that is wrong with Scottish football today - a great example of anti-football, where the main focus is on stopping the other team playing rather than trying to pass the ball yourself and be creative with it. Falkirk only seem to score from balls into the box, create havoc and hope to pick up the second balls.

That happens in every country though. Do you think that Tenerife show up at the nou camp ready to play open expansive football? Falkirk should be easy to beat if you can score goals.


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[hibsbollah]

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Marshall - wasn't picked last night - plays for Hull (lower EPL team)

Robertson and Snodgrass also Hull

Tierney and LG - Celtic

Morrison - West Brom

McArthur - Palace

Rhodes - Middlesbrough

McCormack - Villa

Anya - Derby

Average players playing for average teams..that's if they are actually selected - they aren't even the best player in their respective teams.

Only Celtic players have European experience the rest are no where near the Europa League or Champions League playing against the best.

Just look at the defence. Berra, plays for wolves in the championship. Anya, warming the bench at Derby in the championship. Hanley, not getting a game in the championship at the toon.
It's illogical and unrealistic to expect these kind of players to come out on top against world class attacking players.

[pontius pilate]

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Just look at the defence. Berra, plays for wolves in the championship. Anya, warming the bench at Derby in the championship. Hanley, not getting a game in the championship at the toon.
It's illogical and unrealistic to expect these kind of players to come out on top against world class attacking players.

In anya`s defence he isn't a defender

[theonlywayisup]

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That happens in every country though. Do you think that Tenerife show up at the nou camp ready to play open expansive football? Falkirk should be easy to beat if you can score goals.


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Yes, but Hibs are hardly Barcelona!! Falkirk are hardly likely to get relegated. They are, on their day, as good as Hibs - so why not play football. The game we all love.

[pontius pilate]

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Marshall - wasn't picked last night - plays for Hull (lower EPL team)

Robertson and Snodgrass also Hull

Tierney and LG - Celtic

Morrison - West Brom

McArthur - Palace

Rhodes - Middlesbrough

McCormack - Villa

Anya - Derby

Average players playing for average teams..that's if they are actually selected - they aren't even the best player in their respective teams.

Only Celtic players have European experience the rest are no where near the Europa League or Champions League playing against the best.

What's the excuse for NI and Wales then take Wales for example they have what two players playing in a top team Ramsay and Bale.Williams is at Everton who are struggling Ledley is at palace and of the top of my head I don't know any players in the NI squad playing at top teams. What I would do is get rid of the old gaurd bring in the younger players now and get a system and keep that system.

[ancient hibee]

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Just look at the defence. Berra, plays for wolves in the championship. Anya, warming the bench at Derby in the championship. Hanley, not getting a game in the championship at the toon.
It's illogical and unrealistic to expect these kind of players to come out on top against world class attacking players.

Then why can N.Ireland and the Republic.I've a feeling N.Ireland have more SPL players in their squad than we have.They certainly don't have any more than us playing for top teams.

[superbam]

Republic are top of their group. Man for man, little difference in quality. The problem is not that systemic, just need a manager that is a good match.

[hibsbollah]

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In anya`s defence he isn't a defender

...which makes my point for me. He was on a hiding to nothing. And the 'Iceland can do it Wales can do it with lower league dross why can't we' argument is a bit simplistic. Special cases, Wales have a once in a generation crop of world class players, in Icelands case generous public subsidy, and Ireland are a bunch of spawns ****s nicking one goal wins against the run of play all over the place. You'd still always rather have quality players.

[Del Boy]

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Stuart Findlay
Jamie Lindsay
Lewis Kidd

All still playing in Scottish leagues

Plus Cammy Smith at Dundee Utd, on loan from Aberdeen

[theonlywayisup]

Here we go again!!

Almost 30 months on and the decline in standards continues.

[Pretty Boy]

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Here we go again!!

Almost 30 months on and the decline in standards continues.

Andy Roxburgh is slowly rising from his seat to dig out the blazer and give another interview of cliches to Sportsound this Saturday.

[GreenCastle]

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Here we go again!!

Almost 30 months on and the decline in standards continues.

Haha! Good effort finding this thread.

Anyone with a half a brain can see this country is a joke with its national team.

It’s been poor for a while and won’t get better any time soon.

[Scouse Hibee]

[Ozyhibby]

Aye but Project Brave? Malky Mackay? The great reformer Ian Maxwell? Change is coming. Stick with them.


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[HoboHarry]

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Andy Roxburgh is slowly rising from his seat to dig out the blazer and give another interview of cliches to Sportsound this Saturday.

I've said it a million times - Andy Roxburgh predicted that there was a s***storm coming for our national team and he was pretty much correct in everything he said was wrong with our game...

[Diclonius]

Nothing will change until we drain the SFA swamp and get in forward thinking people with ambition. The manager doesn't matter.

[GreenCastle]

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Aye but Project Brave? Malky Mackay? The great reformer Ian Maxwell? Change is coming. Stick with them.


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Project brave is the worst name ever for the projected change.

Scottish FA has been a joke for years and until they change it you will get same outcomes.