GLF 65: GB shares some thoughts about the recent U20 competition
Under 20 World Cup
I watched all three of Scotland's games from Canada on TV and was thoroughly disappointed with the performances, never mind the results. I have watched most of their build up games over the last year and thought that we looked a good side that were hard to beat, with a dash of flair players that could open up other teams.Sadly this side of their play never came out in Canada, where it looked to me that the coaching staff had no idea what their best eleven was. This was something that was shown in the warm up games as players were shuffled about to try out different formations.
The opening game with Japan saw Lowing of Rangers play at left back, despite playing in the SPL at right back on a couple of occasions. Given Lee Wallace, a natural left back, was playing in central midfield made this a strange decision.During the game Gemmill and Wilson continued to tinker with the formation with Calum Elliot playing in about four different roles and our most creative player, Graeme Dorrans, marginalized in the second half.
The second game saw our own Mark Reynolds play in midfield, despite playing all season at centre back. They also move Cuthbert of Celtic from centre back to right back, and this looked to me one of the reasons we lost the first goal early in the second half. The tinkering continued in the final game with four changes as we took on Costa Rica.
The other reason we failed may well be that some of the players are not as good as we thought they were.
Calum Elliot - looked as clumsy and awkward as he did in his loan spell at Fir Park last season.
Steven Fletcher - Couldn't hold the ball up and gifted possession back to the opposition far too often and easily.
Scott Cuthbert - the Celtic reserve skipper was moved to right back after looking cumbersome in the opening game against Japan.
His lack of top team action may well have been shown up here.
Andy McNeill - the Hibs keeper showed throughout the season he was a Bomb-scare Bertie and he lived up to this reputation in this game.
On the plus side there was one player who enhanced his reputation, and thankfully he is one of ours - Mark Reynolds.
In the opening game against Japan he looked cool and calm as all around him lost their head.When he moved into midfield he looked like the only one who could pick out a pass and showed an eye for a goal in the final game not only scoring but hitting the post.
Hopefully there will be a number of the squad who learn from the experience and we can produce a number from this squad who will go on and play for the full team in the years ahead.
Graham Barnstaple
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