Levein got it wrong

Over 24 hours after Scotland’s loss to the Czech Republic and we are still trying to get our head around the performance. It’s fair to say that Craig Levein managed to outfox virtually the entire football world with his line-up but as the result showed, it can take more than a surprise to win the game.

Much of the pre..and during….and post-game chat has centred on the 4-6-0 formation.

The problem doesn’t lie with numbers themselves, one team playing a formation may be very different from another team with the same formation. The term “4-5-1” has become a catch-all phrase for defensive and unimaginative play but that is not necessarily the case. A “4-5-1” utilised well can be one of the most exciting and attacking formations available.

It depends on the players selected and the attitude of the players in the positions. The 5 in midfield can feature wide men whose job it is to support the lone striker and a top heavy midfield can press their opposition further up the pitch. This increases the likelihood of regaining possession closer to the opposition goal, making it more likely that chances will be created.

Alternatively, the 4-5-1 can see a team sit deep, using the lone striker as an outlet to create chances on the break whilst minimising the space for the opposition to create chances.

And it is the lack of forward that really troubled us in Craig Levein’s 4-6-0. This formation has been used in the past with Brazil and Roma utilising it successfully but on these occasions, these teams had the players to carry it off. The six in midfield could retain possession and there was a willingness of runners to get forward and attack the space that was created with defenders pushing forward.

Scotland lack the players to consistently retain possession and there was no outlet to provide some respite for the backline. The lack of a lone striker saw the Czech Republic swarm to the Scotland goal in waves, increasing the likelihood of conceding a goal.

An inability to hold possession close to the Czech’s goal also meant there was little opportunity to win corners or fouls. Set-pieces are crucial for Scotland and when you don’t have the opportunity to create these dead-ball situations, you are seriously limiting the opportunities to score.

It would be interesting to know if Levein hoped to score at any point in the game and if he did, how he planned on getting the goal?

Setting your stall out for a 0-0 draw is a fairly risky tactic…and when you consider that the Czech Republic had lost their previous home game…one that was probably too severe.

The game against Spain on Tuesday now takes on a stronger importance with the need to take a point but it remains to be seen how Levein will set his players up. On Friday night, Northern Ireland held Italy to a point at home and were unlucky not to take all three.

Spain are currently at a higher level than Italy but results like this are not impossible. At the very least, Scottish fans will want to see their team play with passion and at times, take the game to the World Champions. No one wants to get thrashed by Spain….but surely no one thinks Scotland will avoid defeat at Hampden?

Therefore, what is the harm in playing with a bit of brains and brawn? Kenny Miller has to return to the starting line-up and maybe there should be room made in the midfield for a bit of creativity. If Shaun Maloney can be played behind Miller or perhaps James Morrison being handed a bit more responsibility, Scotland may be able to create some pressure and chances.

With another game so soon, it’s not the right time to completely lambast Levein, after all, there is a huge gap before the next competitive match on the road to Euro 2012. A poor showing against Spain may see Craig Levein’s suitability for the job come under closer scrutiny.

Do you ever want to see a 4-6-0 again?

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It has happened before

The last three games between Scotland and Spain have all taken place on Spanish soil and as you would expect, the Spanish have the upper hand…but not by much.

A 1-1 draw on 3rd of September 2004 – game abandoned on 59 minutes!
A 0-0 draw on 27th of April 1988
A 1-0 defeat on 27th February 1985

However, on the 14th November 1984 Hampden Park was rocking as Scotland thrashed the Spaniards 3-1 in the 1986 World Cup qualifying group. This was Scotland’s second game of their group on the road to Mexico and this victory saw the Scots sit top of the table with 6 points.

Scotland’s opening game was a 3-0 Hampden win over Iceland with Celtic midfielder Paul McStay notching two of the goals. Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas got a third late on to put a good finish on the game and set Scotland up for their clash with the Spanish team.

Group 7 was one of three four team group in the European Qualifying round and the runner up in Scotland’s group would have to play off against the Oceanic winners. Spain were always likely to be favourites in the group so second place was what Scotland needed to look for.

By half-time against Spain, Scotland were two up and cruising, Maurice Johnston netting twice. The player had not long signed for Celtic by this point but these two goals managed to get virtually the entire country behind him. How things were to change a few years later for Johnston!

Spain pulled a goal back through Goicochea on 65 minutes and Hampden braced itself for a night of disappointment but Kenny Dalglish, the true Last King of Scotland, scored a phenomenal strike to restore Scotland’s two goal advantage. That was the last of the scoring and Scotland looked well on their way to Mexico.

As everyone knows, there were a lot of twists and turns to come in that qualifying campaign with a defeat in Spain followed up by a disappointing loss at home to Wales. A nervy 1-0 win in Iceland set Scotland up for a massive clash in Wales where a draw would ensure Scotland would finish above Wales in the qualifying group.

As most people know, a late Davie Cooper penalty got Scotland the point they needed but the death of Jock Stein was the abiding memory of that evening. It may have been a brief qualifying campaign and it had some great highlights but the loss of Stein overshadows it all.

Scotland at least defeated Australia in the play-offs and reached the World Cup but the home win over Spain will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.

It will take something special to defeat the current Spanish side, who are amongst the best in the world.

King Kenny Dalglish’s goal against Spain can be seen in this video, at the 3:24 mark. Enjoy!

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Craig Levein’s Scotland were drawn in Group I for the Euro 2012 Qualifiers.

The draw took place in Warsaw Sunday lunchtime for the upcoming Championships being held jointly in Poland and Ukraine.

Group I: Spain, Czech Republic, SCOTLAND Lithuania, Liechtenstein

The current Euro Champions Spain head another daunting group for Scotland.

The other groups:

Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
Group B: Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra
Group C: Italy, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands
Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg
Group E: Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino
Group F: Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta
Group G: Eengland, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro
Group H: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland

WeKnowSFA will be back later for more insight and updates on Scotland’s latest attempts to qualify for a major tournament.

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