As expected, the rumour mill is working overtime in the wet and blustery Icelandic capital.
Worthers, naturally unhappy with the spiritless performance in Riga on Saturday, has told the players that if he could make 11 changes for the Iceland game he would. Fair comment. Norn Iron were very poor on Saturday and cannot afford to drop their heads in the same manner for the rest of this campaign.
Thankfully though, he cannot make 11 changes but is expected to make at least three bringing back Craigan and looking to bring in Feano and Brunt with the possible omission of Elliot and Duff and Laffers.
However, Keef Gillespie has backed Worthington's criticisms maintaining the entire squad are completely behind the gaffer.
"There wasn't many of us who came out of the game with Latvia with flying colours so I don't think we could grumble if he did make many changes," said Gillespie.
"But it's up to us to show we have the character to bounce back. It was all constructive criticism between Nigel and ourselves. We are all pulling in the same direction.
"He told us that we weren't good enough and need to improve. It's up to him to tell us when we are not playing well and praise us when we are. So, we'll take it on the chin. Work together and we want the same out of this.
"We have got to be better than we were on Saturday night, having a game so soon after the defeat in Latvia gives us a chance to put things right."
Unfortunately, our away form is shite. Before Licky, we hadn't won a Euro qualifier away in 12 years. Thankfully, Barca's Gudjohnsen, although having been passed fit, is unlikely to start the game. However, Iceland will still have Pompey's Hreidarsson, Ingimarsson from the Royals and Hanover's feared striker Hei_ar Thorvasldsson to contend with.
Over 1,000 GAWA are expected to make the trip. The forecast tonight is rain. Lets hope we can create a home atmosphere despite the precipitous conditions - it is feckin' Iceland afterall. |
