Nations League, Again
The Nations League has come back around with a crucial double header against the Netherlands. We've had a look at the state of play going into that game and what we can expect.
We’re back, a month has passed for us to process the disappointment that kicked off the Nations League campaign and now our focus has turned to the Dutch. It’ll always be ‘mon eh Scotland, but the last international break has us feeling a little less enthusiastic than usual.
There is something to be said that we are heading into another international break after just four weeks of domestic action. With the ACL discourse resurfacing with the recent injury to Gabby George, and ourselves suffering the losses of both Emma Watson and Caroline Weir last international break, there have to be questions around pushing international breaks in every four weeks at the start of domestic seasons.
None of the three mentioned had a major tournament to contend with this summer, but they were all involved in intense pre-seasons to prepare for UWCL qualifiers, thrown into international action before their club’s season began, and (as is still unfortunately the case in women’s football at the top level) not protected appropriately by refereeing standards or by how they prepare for games (eg. training on an artificial surface and playing on grass). It’s been clear for a long time that there needs to be more research into ACL injuries in women’s football, but there also needs to be implementation of existing research and a much more holistic plan for the growth of the game.
Domestic leagues constantly stopping and starting to fit in ever-increasing international breaks is taking away a rhythm forming and holding back momentum at club level. It is imperative that the club game professionalises as quickly, if not faster, than international football so that players are well equipped to handle the changes in the sport and perform to the best of their ability.
Anyway, on to previewing the football…
The SWNT Perspective
The following was written before the squad announcement, for chat about the squad skip forward a bit.
Without Emma Watson, Caroline Weir, and Sam Kerr our midfield has been decimated. Fortunately, Erin Cuthbert is back in action and should be available for these games, she’ll likely be joined by Christy Grimshaw who impressed so much at the Stadium of Light in the last break. That leaves either the defensive midfield spot or, if PML reverts to the (widely critiqued) Cuthbert in a deeper role option, the second #8. His options here may lead to a change in tactic as giving a full debut to Kirsty MacLean, Amy Rodgers, or Chelsea Cornet away from home against a top side is less than ideal. The 4-2-3-1 has been used in the past and allows for extra defensive support for whoever fills in in midfield.
With the serious threat of goals from Netherlands’ midfield, specifically Jill Roord, this position is going to be even more crucial than usual (which makes Sam Kerr’s absence even harder to swallow). Whoever fills in will need to be alert of the threat pushing beyond the front line out of the opposition midfield three.
Some of the names that will be popping into your head are also unavailable. Lucy Hope is expected to miss this one with that injury she picked up in the Merseyside derby and Chloe Arthur hasn’t been in a matchday squad for Crystal Palace since the 17th of September. That means the only options with national team experience are Corsie in as a defensive midfielder (a role she has played for club and country before, although not her natural position), Christie Murray who didn’t make the last squad, or a role for someone like Lisa Evans or Fiona Brown that have the experience and versatility but haven’t been used in that area of the pitch before.
If we were in charge, ‘An Sgiobair’ Corsie reprieving the defensive midfield role she has played in the past, or a switch to the 4-2-3-1 and a start for someone like Amy Gallacher in the #10, would be the most attractive away in Nijmegen. Kirsty MacLean is an absolutely exceptional talent, and we wouldn’t be uncomfortable if she were to start, but this is a must win game and that is a lot of pressure to put on young shoulders. At home, where we’re more comfortable putting the pressure on, a risk is more favourable as there will be a crowd to lift any nerves. MacLean or Rodgers could be handed a first start here. Alternatively to be wild, Nic Doc has filled in in midfield this season for Rangers…
Elsewhere, we’d expect a recall (potentially all the way to the starting 11) of Jenna Clark after she’s taken to the WSL like a duck to water, Thomas should keep her starting spot through the middle after re-finding her confidence and smashing in a goal a game, and if switching to a 4-2-3-1 Brogan Hay returning to the fold wouldn’t go amiss to add to our options in that front 4.
Picking up only a single point from our opening two games has really put pressure on here, for hopes of qualifying for the EUROs we need to stay in League A but more than that we need to start putting some performances together. We were stale in our friendlies against Northern Ireland and Finland, against England we were excellent and could have won if for a few refereeing decisions, but then we were given whiplash by an unacceptable performance against Belgium. Sophie Howard rescued a point, assisted by Lee Gibson, but we were lucky (or Belgium unlucky) to even be in a position to rescue it as Belgium had two or three great chances to put it to bed. With their draw against the Netherlands we are in for an uphill battle to avoid last place in the group. Some quick maths, and hypothetical scenarios, tells us that we need around seven more points to be safe.
Taking points off of the Netherlands could give us the boost that puts us second instead of third in that scenario, and then that Belgium game in December becomes extremely important. If we fail to take any points from the Netherlands then we have to beat Belgium and better their result against England (if they take four or more points from the two England games this break then it gets more complicated but at that point we are essentially relegated to league B unless there’s a miracle).
Here is the squad for these games then, as expected Cuthbert is right back into the fold, Jenna Clark returns from U-23 duty, and the players on the injury list have missed out.
There’s a surprise call up for English cap Sandy MacIver, she has played fewer than five games since moving to Manchester City last summer but was excellent at Everton before that. Eartha Cumings drops out after picking up an injury that will require surgery. Hopefully she recovers soon, PML has said that the original plan was to call up all four keepers (why have four keepers for two games? We haven’t a scooby).
Another debut call up has gone to Celtic’s Jenny Smith, one of the many young talents from the SWPL that has played their way into contention. Likely not a name that many would have guessed would get a call up, teammate Colette Cavanagh the one that was expected. Still, a positive move and we are excited to see her in the navy blue of Scotland. Good to see Martinez Losa look to SWPL talent in the absence of some more nailed on squad members.
Perhaps an article for another day, but we are getting a wee bit concerned at the age profile of the squad (something that was referenced in our pre-squad analysis below). Of the seven defenders called up only Clark and McLauchlan are under 29. Kathy Hill’s form at Rangers aside, having her in as the fourth choice centre back over someone that could come in and get that senior international experience for the future seems like an odd choice. Especially given she is yet to make an appearance at senior level. The same goes for the lack of a recognised left back to back up Nic Doc, and you could argue it again for bringing in 25-year-old MacIver over 24-year-old Cumings or even someone like Rachael Johnstone who made the squad before her injury, has come back in good form, and is still only 19.
In the Oranje Corner
A loss against Belgium had sent further criticisms the way of Andries Jonker but an excellent win against England swiftly diverted them towards his compatriot, Sarina Wiegman. In reality that loss against Belgium wasn’t a catastrophe for his style of play, but it was a test of the Dutch resolve and character. 76% of the ball, 21 shots, immediately conceding after they finally took the lead. It was all a bit chaotic, and somewhat mirrored our experience with the Belgians. The criticisms are the same too with slow, passive, football not getting the desired results and exciting, domestic based, talents being overlooked for experienced players who have perhaps slowed down a little or been off form in the national team.
The biggest difference though is how Jonker has begun to rejuvenate the squad, the last squad had 13 players 24 or under, with the core of their team is now between 23 and 28-years-old. The contrast is extremely stark if you look at the defences of both nations, for us the average age comes out at 30.2 while theirs is 24 on the dot. While being young isn’t necessarily an advantage (and we absolutely obliterate them for experience if we’re doing Top Trumps) there is something to be said of a squad that is going into their prime years as opposed to coming out of them. Amy Muir, Jenna Clark, Leah Eddie, Robyn McCafferty, Rosie Slater, et al. all have significant SWPL experience and it is a position we’ve spoken about needing some forward planning for under PML’s leadership.
For the Dutch there is some extreme optimism with the shock recall of one of the world’s best as Vivianne Miedema is brought back in after recovering from her ACL injury. She hasn’t yet made the bench for Arsenal so it is unclear in what capacity she has been brought in. If she is available to play, even if it’s just from the bench, then that changes the dynamic of this tie dramatically.
Outside of the make up of the squad, Netherlands are likely to set up in a 3-5-2 with two wingers playing the role of extremely attacking wing backs and goals predominantly coming out of midfield with Jonker preferring two wingers splitting defences up front for Jill Roord to run beyond. If our two #8s can be brave and occupy the minds of the wide centre backs there should be space for the wingers to push on and create havoc in the wide areas. Thomas’ energy and determination off the ball will likely be key in harrying the defence and pushing them (and the midfielders ahead of them) back in possession to give us better pressing opportunities in the middle third.
Watch out for Lineth Beerensteyn’s pace and ball control, Victoria Pelova’s work rate and crosses, and Jill Roord’s ability to score the absolute scrappiest goals of all time with a consistency that has you wondering if she can actually see the future. The away leg next Friday will be live on BBC Scotland while the Halloween home leg is on BBC Alba, or get a ticket here and get yourself down to Hampden for what will hopefully be an historic night (while you’re at it, get a ticket for the England game which is selling very well so far).