Goal for Patrick Yazbek (2002), two assists for Nick D’Agostino (1998) and a clean sheet for Gianni Stensness (1999) in Viking’s 2-0 win over Lillestrøm.

The French top division is an excellent league.

Defensively?

Going forwards?

What did the  pitch look like, Grazor?

Pitch was great today

I dont think he’s “proven himself at the highest level”.

He was pretty assured in the Peru qualifier, but Peru arent a great opponent and in any case, it was just one game. He was OK during the world cup, but Souttar was miles better. He has no ability on the ball, no ability to get forward, he doesnt score with his head, and as you point out has defensive weaknesses. There are probably better central defenders than him in the A league, he just happens to be in Arnies good graces at the moment. He will never play EPL or Bundesliga thats for sure.

Both especially his first touch 

They were right. One time in the game shoulder to shoulder clash with the Hibs player Rowles got bounced off and almost fell down. Rowles & Kuol needs to work on physical strength. 

Interesting the divergence between fotmob which has rowles and atkinson as the best players and hearts fans

off season is soon, need to either bulk up or move.

i dont think we need them to bulk up so id rather they move to a less physical league

More the league. The ref allows a rugby match, there would be half a dozen reds last night if a typical asian ref was in charge.

It isn’t great prep for international football where the refs tend to be on the harsher side.

they need to either bulk up in the off season or go to a less physical league

To give an idea of the differences in leagues,

last nights game between two of the better teams, that are less direct by the leagues standards, had less than 450 passes all match, yesterdays matches in the a league had 750 and 800 passes. 

If Genreau keeps it up he will be in the Socceroo fold soon, we have alot of 6s but not many that can play between the lines apart from Mooy and Genreau is another capable of doing this.

He's at a top 5 league level which is an advantage from the others, we need more playing in higher level leagues in due course.

For contrast Japan have around dozen in top 5 leagues, whilst only Genreau, Hrustic and recently Souttar are the ones involved at this level we need alot more.

The style of play in Scotland doesnt suit the Aussie's who play a different style back in the aleague, they should look to the continent for better club moves in the future where they might suit their style more.

Agreed 

Yeah i guess we have genreau, hrustic (when fit) and souttar capable of starting in big 5 leagues. Hoping this improves in the next few years. Who do Japan have out of curiosity?

That stat is quite salutary, Grazor.

It means there is a lot more play in the Transitions in the Scottish league -  Defensive or Attacking Transitions - or what was termed Contested Ball Phase Of Play in the WC by SBS.

More  technical leagues have higher aggregates of passes, where teams remain in Ball Possession for a lot longer.  There must have been a lot of turnovers and teams fighting to gain possession of the ball in that SPL game. That was like the A League when it  first started.

For international football it is notable how  high the passing aggregates for the top teams are. You've cited the WC figures to substantiate your point.

Just to name a few Mitoma, Kubo, Kamada, Doan, Tomiyasu, Ito, Minamino, Yoshida etc they stacked with players.

Should be an very interesting Asia Cup if we play them in the tournament.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_national_football_team#Players

They did beat spain and germany. Will be a big challenge at the asian cup. The improvement of asian teams has been disguised by the fact that physically strong teams can often beat them, so they have to get their points against top euro teams

asian refs give them more protection than the wc (which is already harsh) so it is a tough ask to get results against them

We must be watching a different game, Roosty.

There is no higher level than WC games against Argentina and France  - the two finalists in Qatar.

From watching Rowles play for the Socceroos since last April or so he has many attributes.

* He tackles well - and- judiciously. Rowles stays on his feet whenever he can. If one commits too early for a sliding tackle, without a supporting second defender, and third defender, it  can leave the defence wide open if one misses a tackle. 

* Rowles' defensive positioning is good within the team game plan in maintaining ideal defensive  team shape.

* He wins more than his fair share of heading duels against international opposition.

*Rowles' jockeying, delaying and showing is good.

*He reads the game well making intercepts, from sound defensive positioning. As  he gains  more experience he will win more.

*As a distributor on the ball he has quick handling speed, a decent first touch and accurate passing with both feet. He also  both sides of the body well and has good body  positioning on both sides.

*Souttar has taken more risks with big spectacular tackles, close to the last man, and they've come off to date, but Rowles stays on his feet more willingly. Souttar has improved his jockeying,   delaying and showing skills ( a lot of skipping and  rope ladder work, to augment 1v1 train ground skills?), but Rowles is more  nimble on his feet. For such young players, the Souttar/Rowles understanding and current partnership, could potentially be our best CB pairing ever.

*Of course Souttar is a phenomenal attacking and defensive weapon with his height and aerial prowess, but Rowles is still a good heading and  aerial duellist.

Whatever happens, or doesn't happen in the Scottish league is virtually irrelevant - if Rowles can hold his own on the biggest stage - World Cup games against Argentina  and France - the current two best teams in world football.

Years ago Pim Verbeek claimed the English Championship was virtually useless for developing players for an international skill set as a high ball, second ball league. To an extent, the Scottish league must be similar. It was when  I saw if a few years ago. A rugby style football league!

 Pim also proffered that many of the best players in  international football  around the world would struggle in the  English Championship as it was then, because they would no t have been able to win enough  second ball contests.

Few players in Scotland played at this last World Cup, apart from Aussies. 

Overnight Leicester's goal came from a corner headed by Souttar and parried by the keeper into the path of another Leicester player who scored. Not an assist as such, but good use of his body in creating the opportunity.

There are 4 players from Celtic
Carter Vicker USA

Kuol needs to find a club that will give him game time first. Good enough to get minutes vs Argentina but not against Hibs apparently 

Mooy gone from being arguably the best player in the SPL before his injury, to coming off the bench 

Ouch. Braunschweig 2:0 up already vs St Pauli. A shock. Something ironic when it's Hamburg and Hannover 96's rivals battling it out to favour one over the other.

Metcalfe and Irvine starting of course. 

He got his chance but didn't make any impact. He started one game for Heart but forgettable. You won't get much chance when playing overseas they don't care.  Make you doubt if he is good enough to be the next star. 

If you watch the last game against Rangers. Mooy was very poor. Slow pace and very frustrating to watch with the unnecessary backwards passes.  During the game the crowd started to boo him.

Metcalfe is off.  

St Pauli need to do an Istanbul 

That's the trouble with loans. Hearts are already good. He's a squad filler. He should've gone to Carlisle and played every week under Paul Simpson and it's near Newcastle, which is weirdly one of the priorities of the loan. 

St Pauli lost. Still a massive game next week which could be the decider of their promotion hopes.