Scotland ‘must not go gung-ho’
Berti Vogts’ beleaguered side have taken only one point from a possible six at home thus far, leaving the German desperately needing a win on Wednesday to restore public confidence in the team and himself.
The pressure has been mounting on Vogts for months after a series of disappointing results, most notably against Hungary and then in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Norway.
A goal from former Tottenham man Steffen Iversen, who netted from the spot after James McFadden handballed on the line, was enough to give the Scandinavians full points and put the Scotland boss under major pressure.
However, Fletcher, the Manchester United midfielder, believes Scotland should avoid going on all-out attack and learn from the way that Norway played at Hampden, sitting deep and trying to hit on the counter attack.
“I wouldn’t say gung-ho is what we need, you can’t do that in international football,” said Fletcher. “When you go away from home your first priority is always to keep it tight at the back and this game should be no different.
“Norway came here, set their stall out to not concede a goal and then take whatever they got up front, and it worked. Maybe with the way we’ve been playing lately being away from home will suit us. We have to win, there is no doubt about that, but we can’t afford to be reckless.”
Fletcher also rounded on the critics who have been calling for the manager’s head, insisting that the team selection was irreproachable.
He also claimed that Vogts did the right thing by leaving Paul Dickov, who had struggled against the Norwegian’s physical centre-halves all afternoon, alone up front for 20 minutes after McFadden’s departure. “The players are all fully behind Berti,” the 20-year-old insisted. “He is the one taking all the stick, but it is the players who go out on the park and we have to take responsibility.
“Obviously we are all disappointed for ourselves, but we are hurting more for Berti as he will take the brunt of the criticism. I think it is unfair on him because no one can say they would have picked a different team.
“The Moldova game is now a must-win for us, but we can do it and still qualify.”
Meanwhile, there was some dramatics after Northern Ireland’s scoreless draw away to Azerbaijan.
Northern Ireland are winning few friends with a brand of functional football that is reminiscent of the Dons in their heyday. James Quinn was the target man in Baku as the North launched the ball long at every opportunity.
Azerbaijan’s Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto was so upset at the way Lawrie Sanchez had set up his side he completely lost the plot and stormed out of the after-match press conference. Not that Sanchez was bothered. “I don’t want to comment as I am not in the habit of talking about other teams and their managers,” he said.
It is the second time Alberto has rounded on a team in these islands. He was furious with Wales and their system when they, too, got a draw.
“We know we have our limitations but I am sick of playing poor football teams like Northern Ireland and Wales,” he said.
“Northern Ireland committed over 100 fouls and yet did not get one yellow card.
“They did not create one chance from a spell of good football. It was all high balls.”
And the former World Cup winner added sarcastically: “If you think that is football will you please applaud.”
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