Back to Proper Football

So back to the proper football and right after it we away to Barcelona. So the bodies that have been here there and everywhere over the world in the last week or so? They should be rested for me. We should be playing our ‘second teamers’ for me. I chance for them to prove themselves.

Keeping in mind that no doubt anyone who thinks they have a chance of playing against Barcelona will subconsciously be playing like they don’t want to get injured; it’s natural; next week is the biggest games of everyones career. Barcelona at the Nou Camp; it’s lightyears away from St Mirren away.

This is what I would play; the youngsters have the edge and desire to see us through I believe:

Forster

Ambrose Rogne Wilson Chalmers

Twardzik Kayal McGeough

Lassad Watt Miku​

Let’s see what this team can do. Wasn’t sure about including Chalmers but in the last few games for the Under 21 Scotland teams he’s scored a couple of goals. He’ll be on a high the now so may as well give him a chance. I think Mulgrew and Izzy are too important to risk. Kayal to captain the team.

How would you play it? It's the same problem we will face before every game before the Champions League games but Barca at Nou Camp is different; we will get beat for me but what we need to do is make it respectable and show that on some level; we can compete with these players. Anything other than that it could knock a lot of confidence out of us. Something we can't afford.

 

What about Lustig at the back? or do you reckon he would be better for the Barca game?

 

I'd save Lustig for Barcelona. He's been one of our best players in Europe this season. Plus, he's probably knackered from that 4 goal comeback. :smiley-laughing002:

 

I want Lustig to play against Barcelona, also adds extra height to our squad, which is useful for set pieces in an attacking sense. Which is our biggest chance for me.

I'd have Matthews as right mid and Lustig as a right back.

 

Aye, that's for the best. Slipped my mind he played in the international there.

 

Not seen the highlights but it must have been some effort all round; plus that means he goes straight from playing an amazing team like Germany to an amazing team like Barca. No lull of St Mirren between.

 

Show St Mirren some respect. They are more than capable of turning us over on Saturday. One of the teams that play the game the proper way. On principle we should be showing them the same level of respect we will show Barcelona. Mind that time they pumped us 4-0 ? They are no mugs

 

* easy this weekend and * easy on tuesday night

 

Cannot wait !International football is utter tripe

 

We're going to get hosed on in the Nou Camp irrespective of what team we put out. We might as well make sure we get the 3pts off St. Mirren on Saturday in the meantime. I'd play a strong team on Saturday and make sure we're sitting top of the league when we return from sunny Spain.

 

The game against Barca will be invaluable experience for our players, I would not field a weakened side as our squad will benefit from playing in the Nou Camp against the best of the best.

We should be able to handle St Mirren with a decent mix of youngsters and anyone who is showing good fitness/energy.

Looking forward to the Nou Camp!

 

the buddies always try their best to give us a game though. a good mix of our best work horses as well as our youngsters and bench warmers is needed I think.

 

Surprised you are looking at it that way Marky. Anything above 3-0 would destroy our burdegoning confidence I think, it's important that doesn't happen.

We won't win but I don't think it's a guarenteed skelping.

 

We are both very different teams from then. St Mirren are capable of causing an upset but we could play a second string team and still be better than them. Remember their best player is someone who only managed to force his way through our ranks during that turbulent period, before being deemed not good enough. Also remember that 4-0 game was the last time they even scored against us.

 

Ah, I know that. They do it to everyone, its in terms of goals I'm talking about.

I would even accept a 2-0 right now

 

Clearly because St Mirren aren't a comedown from Germany and Barcelona?

 

Just being realistic mate. We can put our strongest 11 out in the Nou Camp next week and the scoreline will still be whatever Barca want it to be. If they're happy with 2 it'll be 2, if they want to take 5 off us they will.

Pretty much my thoughts. We're going to be chasing shadows for about 87mins of next week's match. I just want it to be over to be honest. I'm looking forward to playing Barcelona at home but I can't honestly say I'm looking forward to next week's game.

 

Genuinely would not be surprised to see a 2-1 away defeat at St Mirren and a 3-3 draw at the Nou Camp.

Roll on Tuesday or Wednesday.