Gordon Strachan: Scotland coach 'not thinking about himself'
Last updated on .From the section Football
Scotland boss Gordon Strachan says he is not thinking about himself despite coming under increasing pressure following a 3-0 World Cup qualifying loss in Slovakia.
Scotland now sit fourth in Group F with four points from three games after Tuesday's defeat in Trnava.
"The people who I feel sorry for are the players," said Strachan. "They're the ones I'm thinking about.
"I'm proud of them. The second group you feel sorry for are the supporters."
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Strachan believes Scotland can still compete for second place in the group, despite taking just one point from their October double-header against Slovakia and Lithuania, who earned a 1-1 draw at Hampden on Saturday.
The Scots face group leaders England at Wembley on 11 November.
"Form can change in a couple of weeks and this campaign is played over a year," said Strachan, who has been in charge since January 2013.
"Every time I get together with these guys, they rejuvenate me. We've given it our best shot in the last couple of games in terms of doing what we think is right, trying to pick the right side.
"I'm happy with the response from the lads every time. We'd like to be better off but we are one point off a play-off place."
Two goals from Robert Mak and a third by Adam Nemec have Slovakia victory.
Their first goal was controversial, with the visitors believing there was a foul by Jan Durica on Steven Fletcher prior to the move that ended with Mak's finish.
Mak and then Nemec were both afforded too much space in Scotland's penalty box as they increased the home side's advantage in the second half.
"Just when they need a break, the decision being on their side, it goes against them," Strachan said of the incident involving Fletcher.
He praised his players for being "brave on the ball" and for "trying to make chances" but the second goal proved crucial.
"It was uphill after that," said Strachan, who succeeded Craig Levein.
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Are you from the media by any chance? I like to poke fun at the Scots as much as the next Englishman but you're loading the rifle for them to shoot back with that kind of silly statement.
The national football team or the SNP?
Both bring so much shame to the nation.
Like who exactly? and dont say Wayne Rooney
The only british player that is in the real world class bracket is Gareth Bale
English players are highly overpaid and overrated, most level headed punter and fan knows this. and its been proved at the big tournaments.
England have not had a world class player since Gazza.
Or about booking a ticket to the next World Cup.
What strikes me as most debilitating about Scotland is the two centre-halves.
I don't understand what the attacking situation is either. Griffiths & Naismith on the bench and Rhodes & McCormack not even selected.
At this stage, unlikely that we'll get qualify - realistically will need to be second and go through knockouts.
keep your unionist, govan mentality to yourself. It's spam.
Free speech and democracy thrive with the SNP supporters..............
Turn off his Playstation
Strachan should be sacked, his team selection for Scotland is nonsensical, Chris Martin, Darren Fletcher, Barry Bannan? All hopeless.
Maloney, Naismith, Griffiths, all left on bench.
Also there must be a better Scottish CB somewhere in world football better than Grant Hanley
I suggested Kim Little should be picked for the mens team after the Lithuania game. Given the pink shirts and lack of quality up front, I think it should seriously be considered.
We should certainly investigate whether she has an English grandparent. She would improve both teams.
"The first three goals were crucial"
"The decisions to allow the three goals went against us"
"I'm happy with the lads response. They picked the ball out of the net really well each time the opposition scored"
"The players were brave enough to accept their international match bonus"
"Slovakia are world class"
However Scotland still couldnt beat Lithuania at home....thats strachans fault, noone else, he picked a terrible team and formation for that game.
Personally i would go for Lambert or Mccleish