Scott Arfield

[Shway]

But if everyone is healthy that was called up last window, and JH chooses not to increase his squad size. Does he get the call up over the likes of Fraser? Maybe...Over Wotherspoon definitely not.

It's tricky, and he may have used the wrong time to miss out on previous camps. Where as Wotherspoon for example was able to stake his claim/build greater relationships.

[Bison44]

I know you dont want to hear it, but Wotherspoon is only a year younger than Arfield eh??  Just saying.....

[Shway]

5 minutes ago, Bison44 said:

I know you dont want to hear it, but Wotherspoon is only a year younger than Arfield eh??  Just saying.....

Lol Wotherspoon is still playing, and a key piece to his team. Age is irrelevant IF you are still playing. Just saying…

[GasPed]

2 hours ago, Obinna said:

Personally, I have moved on from the question on whether he's an "upgrade" or not.

For me that's not particularly important, but what is important is can he help this team, for which the answer is still yes. 

I feel the same way about the "is he a starter" question. Again, it's not really a relavent question.

Different players will start different games because of the fixture congestion, with Eustaquio probably being the only exception. 

If Arfield gets dropped entirely and/or released from Rangers, that's something to discuss, but as long as he's part of the squad and getting minutes here and there, he's CanMNT material and deserves to be in the rotation, assuming all the "committment" stuff is put to bed. 

I agree, with the caveat that it's based on what his past form was like, and I have no idea what his current form is.  In some ways it's analogous to Junior - end of last year he was getting no playing time at all, yet we still invited him in and he proved his worth.  I think we should do the same with Arfield if we're looking for our best possible team...

[Shway]

@GasPedBut we called Hoilett and he showed up, and showed out is the massive difference. Also showing up out of contract which could’ve jeopardized his career.

For me at this point I see guys are hoping for the 2019 glory form he had, but are neglecting simple things like him not playing, getting several injuries, getting older and ultimately denying call-ups to the point his manager said that he basically retired. 

I keep saying, yea it’s a great extra piece to have…but like I said before, we are good if he’s not there. 

Now I’ll say this for future irony…I hope he gets called in and scores against Mexico for our first result in the Azteca. 

Edited September 17, 2021 by Shway

[CanadaFan123]

1 hour ago, Shway said:

@GasPedBut we called Hoilett and he showed up, and showed out is the massive difference. Also showing up out of contract which could’ve jeopardized his career.

For me at this point I see guys are hoping for the 2019 glory form he had, but are neglecting simple things like him not playing, getting several injuries, getting older and ultimately denying call-ups to the point his manager said that he basically retired. 

I keep saying, yea it’s a great extra piece to have…but like I said before, we are good if he’s not there. 

Now I’ll say this for future irony…I hope he gets called in and scores against Mexico for our first result in the Azteca. 

I can agree with most of what you’re saying but when his manager made that comment, in fall 2020, he had never turned down a call because we had never played. He then said he was going to be playing in November 2020 but that never materialized. The real issue is how he’s handled his international duties from March to July 2021.

He was captain of this squad, despite being a “non-Canadian” in the best Canadian squad of all time. That’s not a good look for anyone and he’s been given a slap on the wrist. He will be given a chance to come back in and I think this squad will forgive him because he’s a good character - not like this is some cancerous player. 

Edited September 17, 2021 by CanadaFan123

[Shway]

10 minutes ago, CanadaFan123 said:

He will be given a chance to come back in and I think this squad will forgive him because he’s a good character - not like this is some cancerous player. 

Very great point. I think it’s the Hoilett comment that is sticking. But like I’ve said before, he can come into the team and play Wotherspoon or Fraser minutes and make himself available after that…will really tell his character.

Time will tell. 

[Kent]

So did he basically start getting benched when he started turning down our call ups earlier this year? Or was there some lag.

I'm imagining this scenario.

Arfield turns down Canada to focus on his club career.
Arfield's club manager looks at the Canada roster and sees Arfield is not on it, suddenly thinking Arfield isn't even good enough to play for Canada.
Arfield's club manager benches him due to Canada snubbing him.

[Shway]

Subbed in the 81st minute in a 1-1 draw vs Motherwell. 

[lamptern]

If I was a soccer  player who hasn't played World Cup  in my 30s, I would grasp this WCQ as my last push. 

How many more years can I play?  How many more league championship I could have?  Those are uncertain.  What certian is that if I missed this WCQ cycle, I would never have a chance anymore. 

Well, what can I say....hopefully Arfield has the same mentality as I do.

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

He was in the squad in Prague today but did not leave the bench.

As for this past weekend:

Scott Arfield was absent from the matchday squad for Saturday’s trip to Dundee in the Premiership and he sat out of training on Tuesday with an unspecified issue, but is now fit and available for selection.

“Scott missed training yesterday but he’s back available for today’s session so he’ll travel with us and come back into the squad,” said Gerrard 

https://www.rangersnews.uk/injury-news/rangers-receive-injury-boost-ahead-of-sparta-prague-clash/amp/

[trc2014]

13 minutes ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

He was in the squad in Prague today but did not leave the bench.

As for this past weekend:

Scott Arfield was absent from the matchday squad for Saturday’s trip to Dundee in the Premiership and he sat out of training on Tuesday with an unspecified issue, but is now fit and available for selection.

“Scott missed training yesterday but he’s back available for today’s session so he’ll travel with us and come back into the squad,” said Gerrard 

https://www.rangersnews.uk/injury-news/rangers-receive-injury-boost-ahead-of-sparta-prague-clash/amp/

Given the history, don’t think the Rangers would release him if there is a whisper of an injury issue.

[Floortom]

2 minutes ago, trc2014 said:

Given the history, don’t think the Rangers would release him if there is a whisper of an injury issue.

Do they even care anymore? he barely plays.

I would still call him in but I'm not sure how much of a help he would even be at this stage. Would be good for depth and injury cover I suppose

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

The "unspecified" thing is bizarre. Mental health issues? Excessive consumption (alcohol, drugs)? A more serious health condition that he doesn't want to talk about?

It's like Corbeanu and his viral infections thing. 😬

It could be quite mundane but a lack of information tends to make us think the worst.

[trc2014]

4 minutes ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

The "unspecified" thing is bizarre. Mental health issues? Excessive consumption (alcohol, drugs)? A more serious health condition that he doesn't want to talk about?

It's like Corbeanu and his viral infections thing. 😬

It could be quite mundane but a lack of information tends to make us think the worst.

Real jump to conclusion here

[prairiecanuck]

On 9/16/2021 at 6:49 PM, Shway said:

@GasPedBut we called Hoilett and he showed up, and showed out is the massive difference. Also showing up out of contract which could’ve jeopardized his career.

For me at this point I see guys are hoping for the 2019 glory form he had, but are neglecting simple things like him not playing, getting several injuries, getting older and ultimately denying call-ups to the point his manager said that he basically retired. 

I keep saying, yea it’s a great extra piece to have…but like I said before, we are good if he’s not there. 

Now I’ll say this for future irony…I hope he gets called in and scores against Mexico for our first result in the Azteca. 

He's featuring in most games and has started games this year as well.  How many games have you watched him play this year?

[Shway]

25 minutes ago, Floortom said:

Do they even care anymore? he barely plays.

I would still call him in but I'm not sure how much of a help he would even be at this stage. Would be good for depth and injury cover I suppose

Liam Fraser minutes 🤭

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

15 minutes ago, trc2014 said:

Real jump to conclusion here

I'm just saying that it is unusual not to specify the absence.

[Shway]

Just now, prairiecanuck said:

He's featuring in most games and has started games this year as well.  How many games have you watched him play this year?

Lol who…Scott?

Since Liam is gone from the SPL, I refuse to watch that league anymore. Plus I’m not watching it in anticipation for Arfield to get subbed in. 

The man has barely played. When did you catch a game?
 

 

[SpursFlu]

1 hour ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

The "unspecified" thing is bizarre. Mental health issues? Excessive consumption (alcohol, drugs)? A more serious health condition that he doesn't want to talk about?

It's like Corbeanu and his viral infections thing. 😬

It could be quite mundane but a lack of information tends to make us think the worst.

Malaria, chicken pox, porn addiction, leprosy, conversion therapy, hiccups... I mean who knows, could be anything at this point 

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

22 minutes ago, SpursFlu said:

Malaria, chicken pox, porn addiction, leprosy, conversion therapy, hiccups... I mean who knows, could be anything at this point 

Fair play. I may have gone overboard.

 

[prairiecanuck]

1 hour ago, Shway said:

Lol who…Scott?

Since Liam is gone from the SPL, I refuse to watch that league anymore. Plus I’m not watching it in anticipation for Arfield to get subbed in. 

The man has barely played. When did you catch a game?
 

 

I watched the Alashkert 2nd leg game.  Admittedly it's the only time I saw him, but I was reminded of his qualities.  On an island one on one he can be overmatched, but his movement off the ball is very good.  He's an intelligent player, good technically and moves the ball quickly.  Strength and pace has never been his game.

He started all 4 European games.  The Champions league qualifiers were massive games for the club given the potential revenue and he started both.   

Your evaluation comes with a lot of conjecture.  You haven't seen him play, you don't know anything about the skill level of the players in front of him.  You're unaware of any knocks that he may be playing through.  I personally don't think he's that much different of a player than he was the last time we saw him.

You evaluation of his level of play seems to be more tied to your bias, relating to your distaste for his unwillingness to play in early round world cup games.   

 

 

[costarg]

4 hours ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

Fair play. I may have gone overboard.

 

I feel your comment was fair and makes sense.  I've been leaning towards family issues or mental health for some time.  He mentioned a personal issue and having to be there for family in an interview back in 2019 I believe.  My blind guess would be child or wife issues, perhaps a threat of divorce if he wasn't around more?  It all seemed to come up after he showed up for Canada a few times in a row.  He was one of Rangers best players 18 months ago, just weird to drop off that quick, he's not that old. There is definitely something up here.

[lamptern]

Wife, he can always have a new one sometime later;

World Cup, he would never experience it after this chance. 

[Shway]

4 hours ago, prairiecanuck said:

I watched the Alashkert 2nd leg game.  Admittedly it's the only time I saw him, but I was reminded of his qualities.  On an island one on one he can be overmatched, but his movement off the ball is very good.  He's an intelligent player, good technically and moves the ball quickly.  Strength and pace has never been his game.

He started all 4 European games.  The Champions league qualifiers were massive games for the club given the potential revenue and he started both.   

Your evaluation comes with a lot of conjecture.  You haven't seen him play, you don't know anything about the skill level of the players in front of him.  You're unaware of any knocks that he may be playing through.  I personally don't think he's that much different of a player than he was the last time we saw him.

You evaluation of his level of play seems to be more tied to your bias, relating to your distaste for his unwillingness to play in early round world cup games.   

 

 

I had to google the team you mentioned, as I've never heard of them before. But anyways let me jump to your main point which is my "bias relating to [my] distaste for his unwillingness to play in early round world cup games."

Yes, this is true. Along with the fact he was made captain way to quickly, and made a quick mockery of out it imo. 

Now let's move to your point that you don't think "he's that much different of a player than he was the last time we saw him". Well, I'll tell you the transfermarket stats will tell you that is lie. Why? He hasn't been playing nowhere near as much...like at all. So how can you say he's the same from watching him play once against Allass a team from the Armenia league? There's a reason why Stevie G isn't playing him no? Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's shit...but again, time and time again I keep seeing guys mention the glory years of Arfield at Burnley or his great performance at BMO against the USA and simply neglect the present. 

I've watched Arfield in the SPL (just not recently), I've watched Millar in the SPL, I've watched Wotherspoon in the SPL, I've watched Paton in the SPL....that league is shit. Reason why Millar couldn't adjust to the rash style of play. Reason why Stevie G said the ball spends way to much time in the air. I have a basis of seeing the level of the league, and the fact he isn't playing is alarming regardless if it's the mighty Rangers of the Scottish football league.

I repeat, I'm not watching an SPL match to wait and see if our boy Scott gets on the field. That's complete torture, and he's not a young prospect.