In goal, we are as strong as we have been for a long time. We are a long time from those dark days when the choice was between Woods and DuBourdeau – eeeugh! Gordon Marshall has made a huge difference to our defence in recent years and despite making a few mistakes, he could still be a number one. But Graeme Smith has surpassed him – yes, Smith has lost some goals but there have been no poor errors from the youngster and he seems to have the jersey for the coming weeks. Even our third choice, Colin Meldrum, has SPL experience although some would cruelly point out that he has experience of picking the ball out of the net at various levels.
However, it is the outfield that will give Terry difficulty. In defence, we have Hammell, Craigan, Kinniburgh, Quinn, Corrigan, McLean, and McDonald all fighting for places. Of those, Hammell is the definite left back and Craigan will fill one of the centre half spots. Corrigan, given his talent, must surely fit in somewhere. Presumably centre half is the most natural option – it leaves our defence somewhat lacking in height and stature but Corrigan can look comfortable and assured in the centre of defence. On the right, there is competition for Quinn from loan signing Brian McLean and while they have both showed some promise, both have severe problems with their distribution. If Corrigan was to be pushed out there, he could link up down the wing with Foran, McBride, McDonald…and Kinniburgh could keep his place in the middle of the defence where he has been beginning to look more settled. That is dilemma number one of Terry.
One of the most glaring problems we have is who to pick up front. Jim Hamilton, Scott McDonald and David Clarkson all have admirable qualities that can contribute to the side and Richie Foran is still waiting to get a chance to play in his right position, as a striker. McDonald is without a doubt the most talented but of late his attitude has been highly questionable. He is selfish in the extreme, his decision-making is worse than Faddy’s and he is quick to moan at his teammates. Recent games have had him looking half interested at best. Perhaps a spell on the bench could be what he needs? Clarkson on the other hand is hard working and never hides – although he is absolutely terrified in front of goal and he seems to have as little time for Skippy as Skippy has for him. He’s not particularly fast, not particularly skilful and not particularly good in the air. But he does cause defenders problems by never giving them a break and chasing everything – is that enough to make up for what he lacks?
Remarkably, the most clear-cut striker role, in my eyes anyway, should go to Jim Hamilton. He can hold the ball up, he tracks back, he wins a lot in the air – which helps out when we’re defending set pieces too – he can bring players into the game and he even found his scoring touch pre-injury. He has no pretensions of being a super star and seems to be able to play with any of our other strikers. The joker in the pack seems to be Richie Foran – signed as a striker but played as a winger and marginally more likely to be invisible than inspired. But he can put in a good shift as well, he does well in the air for someone his size and his goal scoring record (even ignoring penalties) is not too shabby. How does Butcher deal with this choice? Hamilton and McDonald seems the simplest choice…but if Skippy does not regain his work ethic soon, a different pair should be called on soon.
Those choices, tough as they are, do not even come close to the real test for Butcher.
In our squad, for four midfield places, we have Kerr, McCormack, Leitch, O’Donnell, Paterson, McBride, Fagan and Fitzpatrick. Even Foran and Andy Smith could still be included in this group leaving an astonishing ten players fighting it out for four midfield spots! Terry’s choice can be somewhat reduced by ignoring Leitch and Smith – long term injuries for now - but McCormack and McBride will soon be back contesting the right wing slot. That leaves Kerr presumably as the one certain starter in the middle with the other spot going to either old head O’Donnell or Shaun Fagan – who despite being a favoured target of the boo boys has been showing considerable improvement. The left hand side, depending on the opposition, can then be filled by either Paterson or Fitzpatrick. Phew! But of course, there are other options – we could continue with Foran in midfield, play McBride or McCormack in the centre, or even push Martyn Corrigan up there.
We find ourselves in the astonishing position of actually having a squad full of SPL players. Not only does this pose the problem of how we keep them all – or more realistically, the vast majority – happy, it also gives Butcher curious selection problems. If he is forced, through injury or suspension, to play a weaker XI who win one week, which of two or three changes does he make if we have a tougher match next? Or does he always stick with a winning team when he can? And if he follows that logic, does he change his XI as soon as they lose? Or does he accept that they need time to gel as a side and he sticks by them through a few loses and sticky performances?
Butcher has to do all this whilst at the same time the fans are beginning to get impatient. Football fans – and, I am tempted to say, ours in particular – are a fickle bunch and many ‘Well supporters see a side who finished in the top six for two years, seemingly get stronger and stronger only for wins to inexplicably be thrown away due to moments of individual and team sloppiness. We are still sixth, despite our injury hit start to the season, yet if we had not chucked away points against United and
The season still has a long way to go – it could still fade into obscurity or it could be one of the greatest ever – but the players and manager have a lot of work and tinkering to do before our fate is decided. Let’s leave them to get on with it – and not be too annoyed if they don’t get difficult decisions quite right in the next few weeks.