Darren Fletcher: Norway played system we used for Euro 2008 qualifiers

Oct 12 2008 By Euan Mclean

DARREN FLETCHER reckons Norway copied Scotland's tactics from our last campaign to thwart us in a frustrating day at Hampden.

The stand-in skipper says Age Hareide's men beat the Scots at their own game by sitting in and hitting the long ball - just like Alex McLeish's side did so successfully in the Euro 2008 qualifiers against France.

But after failing to break down Norway's brick wall the Manchester United midfielder insists Scotland would never get away with playing in such a stuffy way now because we are BETTER than that.

Fletcher said: "Norway came with a gameplan, were organised and played direct with long balls to put us under pressure. Over the piece they will be happier with the draw than we are. We felt we created enough chances to win.

"The Norwegians' approach is how we used to play but the expectancy level is raised now and we can't sit behind the ball like that any more and try to hit on the counter-attack.

"We have to step up to the next level, be a bit more expansive and start taking the game to teams.

"We did that to an extent but you are never going to dominate for 90 minutes at this level.

"Norway are a good side and we are realistic enough to know that.

"We are disappointed not to win but we're by no means out of it.

"We believe we can win away from home. We've proved that in the past by winning in Norway during the last World Cup qualifying campaign.

"It's going to be difficult but it's possible and depending on what situation we're in we might HAVE to win abroad.

"But I don't think we'll be in too bad a position. Three of our last four games are at home so sometimes a draw isn't a bad result."

Fletcher's optimism wasn't shared by the Tartan Army who booed George Burley's side off.

But he refused to have a go at the fans for getting on their backs so early in the campaign.

And Darren reckons a lot of that booing was directed at the ref rather than the players.

He said: "The fans are fully within their rights to let their expressions be known and I think it was a mixed reaction because the referee didn't give us much.

"Norway had two physical players up front in Steffen Iversen and John Carew who were getting decisions that James McFadden wasn't at the other end, despite James being battered by their centre halves.

"Our style of play is sometimes seen as a bit too aggressive for foreign refs."

The captain led a united front from the home dressing-room in backing calamity striker Chris Iwelumo after his incrediblemiss from a couple of yards blew Scotland's hopes of victory.

And despite his horror moment that is sure to go down in history as one of the worst sitters of all time, Fletch even insisted Iwelumo played brilliantly.

He said: "It's not a problem, the players are giving him our full backing. Results are down to the team not any individual and we are fully behind Chris. I thought his performance was brilliant when he came on.

"He was a real handful and he's a great acquisition who will get plenty of goals for Scotland."

With crocked Barry Ferguson missing the first three games of this campaign Fletcher has become the man Scotland fans expect to pull the strings in midfield.

Yet Fletch insists he isn't feeling the pressure and paid tribute to fellow midfielder Scott Brown for hogging the limelight yesterday with a superb display.

He said: "If there's expectancy then it's something you have to deal with but it's not all down to me or any individual.

"We have a lot of quality and are all looking to improve our game. We have to rise to that challenge as a team.

"Scott was fantastic and fully deserved his man of the match award. He was a bundle of energy, won tackles, headers, got on the ball and started moves.

"He sat behind us and gave me a licence to get in the box. Unfortunately it didn't quite fall to me but if I keep getting in there the chances will come."

MATCH STATS

Shots on 8

Fouls 7

Corners 6

Offside 5

Possession 53%

Saves 6

Bookies 0

Shots on 17

Fouls 14

Corners 8

Offside 2

Possession 47%

Saves 2

Bookies 2