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I have watched all four pre-season games and remain cautiously optimistic. There is a rub and I witnessed elements of it in all four games. It goes back to the second half of last season. We are pressed high, the opposition regain possession in the middle of the park. We are narrow and usher the opposition down our flanks. The crosses into our box begin, then become more frequent. We do not stop the crosses, we defend from within our box. In Europe, the opposition continue to attempt to get in behind, and we appear comfortable defending. It also allows us opportunities to counter attack, and we are effective. In the domestic game, the high press and resultant turn over in possession results in the ball being shelled into our box, mostly long diagonals. It's all angles. Think Tynecastle, Rugby Park, Pittodrie, ....etc. We cannot get out, and eventually we concede. The point is, our midfield and full backs do not contest the crosses being struck. Think about the final 15-20 minutes at those grounds, increasingly the game passed our midfield. We need strength, running power, and a couple of tacklers in our defensive mix. Two games at the end of the first half of last season. We go to Easter Road and batter Hibs 0-3. Our energy that night was impressive. A week later, Pittodrie, start on fir, race into a 0-2 lead, should have been more, concede before half-time and succumb to their game and level in the second. We draw 2-2, because we are forced back, and pinned. If we can sign a couple of horses for different occurring courses, we might be okay in sustaining a challenge.

Too many hurdles to overcome! cheating refs, corrupt SPFL/SFA, attacks from the Scottish gutter press resulting in belated suspensions from the placed CO. We have just witnessed Separate Entity FC being handed a title, the corruption in voting!. How can anyone seriously believe we will be allowed to challenge for the title?.

There's a big difference between something not mattering and something being tainted. Now that's an example of a tainted game...

Rangers may be better at home without 20,000 narkers moaning from the eleventh minute.

Right enough! Okay then, Hearts and Dundee stay down, Dundee Utd and Hibs relegated. That's my compromise offer - do you accept?

Hopeful but definitely not optimistic. The changes required to take us from failure to success simply haven’t taken place yet and without them optimism would be pointless.

Why are you publishing this competition? I spotted this on Twitter and was hoping I was the only one to enter! Quick, delete this thread!

That’s my worry - as is a manager who doesn’t believe he has a leadership problem.

Can you imagine anything better than an endless debate about re-signing a former Rangers player? How about an endless debate about re-signing two former Rangers players? Add Josh Windass to Kamberi plz.

Thanks to @Fat Eck for the article which I've reproduced below.

Good for us away and probably good for some of our players at home

Davis is finished, IMO. It's a shame because he has been a great servant and a wonderful player. His body can't do what his brain wants. You can see him attempt the same things that he did so well at the start of last season and prior, but he's sluggish in his execution. He'll only be a bit-part player this season.

No way! I want Dundee Utd to get re-relegated!

How do you feel about season 2020/21? This is the least optimistic I think I have ever felt about us winning the title (excluding diddy titles). If we can bring in a couple of good forwards and add some steel in midfield and defence, I will see it differently. Forwards are on the way but I don't think Gerrard recognises the current winning mentality vacuum at Ibrox, so don't expect the necessary steel to be added.

Unfortunately yes, but saying that at least he isn't on the prowl for another club!!

I’d put my money where my mouth is, but we’re only 5/2 to win the league. My money was better spent on a 4-1 win On Saturday at 20/1. ?

Apart from the comments about Aribo and Hagi providing more goals and creativity, I think most of that is wishful thinking, weebluedevil. I really hope you're right though.

The Morelos transfer saga is not helpful to either the player or the club, and i'd rather see it resolved before the season starts , but I think the Aberdeen game will tell us a lot about how the season will pan out. There's still a lack of leadership, which is worrying.

I wonder how Gerrard, Kamberi and Windass feel about Marmite? Daniel Candeias too.

The club do not give a shit, the only shit they give is the shit service to the support - after we have paid our cash. I also got a Rangers TV access code today, they even managed to drop the "friendlies" out of the bog standard email that all other ST holders received over a week ago. No doubt because they missed them, we were an afterthought and probably due to someone finally reading the messageboards as you mentioned. But I honestly did not think they would go to the bother of altering the email text, kudos to the club! But it did come a day after their begging letter. Perhaps they felt guilty but rest assured, we will not be taken for granted lol. The way forward may be to not claim any refunds and simply tell them it is because they put VIP in the email? That would reassure them re their overall competence and client relations. "Clients that are in a position to allow outstanding funds to remain within the club will be providing a hugely beneficial level of support which will be greatly appreciated, especially in the current challenging economic environment. The opportunity to work together during this unprecedented time will have a positive impact upon the club and will not be taken for granted." Refunds will be issued on a monthly basis, for example: August 2020 Refunds for the two home fixtures in July and then fixtures in August 2020 September 2020 Refunds issued at the end of September 2020 October 2020 Refunds issued at the end of October 2020

Ake is average and City will find that out. Chelsea fans only rue De Bruyne and Salah as they were bought cheap 7m and 11m respectively then sold by Mourinho and was terrible business by a manager that does not develop players. Van Aanholt is rubbish. Tomori is a better centre half than either Ake or Van Aanholt and other home grown players such as James, Mount, Gilmour, Abraham, Hudson Odoi, Christiansen and Loftus Cheek have all many games under their belts and secured 4th place with their ages between 18 - 24, plus another 6 or 7 pushing the first team - the future looks quite bright.

I’d be absolutely certain that SG couldn’t give two shits for the scenario you painted if the player in question was performing better than everyone else each week. Loyalty in football is pretty much dead. Has been for years.

Man City have made a £41M bid for Bournemouth's Nathan Ake. Underlines how bad Chelsea are at developing/utilising players: they've had Lukaku, De Bruyne, Salah, Van Aanholt (not rival, but developed into a good player), Brewster, Matic and now Ake subsequently picked up by 'rivals'.

I wonder how much the issues Aberdeen had with arranging friendlies will have hampered their preparation. Contrast with various messages from Gerrard about the sharpness of certain players, will we be able to use the potential fitness advantages to give them a torrid time? Cosgrove being out weakens them too.

Good article.

I'm optimistic enough but it's vital we get off to a good start. I'm also rather non-plussed that we've not yet signed another striker.

Ahh ok my apologies Aberdeen 1 Rangers 2 Goldson

That shows the strength of his character.

Quite often two of them sit back.

Pessimist. But I’ve been this way at the start of every season since Geordie Young hung up his boots. The team needs a John Brown, an Ian Ferguson and a Jimmy Miller. I would have said a defence unlocker as well but there is evidence that Hagi and the hew improved Aribo can do that.

The transfer Window is open until 5 October.

This. If we get close, the refs will kick into action.

Whatever happened to positive thinking? If out team go into Saturday's game with such low esteem, we're on a hiding to nothing. If we come out of Saturday's game as easy winners, I expect the mood will lift slightly. Bill's "hopeful but not optimistic" is probably nearer to what I am. In terms of team play, I'm looking forward to the season. I think we have in within us to be very good. The question to me is having the consistency.

That could happen with Hearts and Dundee still down too - win win

Hopefully they both stay in the Championship!

Mon the jam tarts ?

One always thinks we can do it this season but not this season I dont see much in the way of improvement if any our centre forward has his head turned by transfer thoughts we wobble like a jelly in the middle and if the defenders perform the way they did after the winter break then it's going to be that drawn out battle for second place . Mind you if this second wave of the virus kicks in the horrors could have their ten in a row wrapped up before Christmas that will give them time for their video promotion and any world tours But one lives in hope .

Well I think it's obviously unrealistic for anybody at all to leave Rangers for Livi and declare it the dream move they always hoped for. Not even Livi fans would believe that. On the other hand say Morelos were to leave and we signed a replacement from some English club. Or even a loan. Would anybody think badly of him if he were to say I played a friendly here a couple of seasons ago and thought wow this would be a dream club to play for? I doubt it. There can be no disputing that Kamberi took a crafty swipe at hubz in an attempt to make it impossible to return there and to get a foot in the door at Rangers. But I can't find it in myself to slate him for that. And I doubt that would be a factor for Stevie G in any decision to sign or not sign him.

Shoe on other foot time. Say our boy McCrorie, who is on loan to Livi, gives his first interview with the club paper...The Pasta Press (I made that up...haha!) and he says the following; “My second game for Rangers was against Livi at Tony Macaroni, and after the game, I told my agent immediately my dream would be to play in this stadium in front of these fans as they are the best fans in the world – the support is massive.” Rangers fans would lose their GD minds...every Rangers fan would be calling the guy's head on a pike...and rightfully so. You want that kinda guy around? Not me. Neither does SG...Bet.

My punctuality is impeccable but I do often ignore scum.

I decided to renew my Bar'72, now Club'72 season ticket for two seasons. Further, I took out a MyGers VIP membership. It was a fight to give the Club the best part of £4 grand. I have no beef with either of the girls appointed to deal with the newly branded hospitality, they were both helpful and patient. My seat, which I have sat in since the start of Bar'72, is on the halfway line. I knew by renewing for two seasons, I was being an awkward embuggerance, deliberately so. The corporate wallahs want banks of several seats, and they want the better ones. So, you receive the call from a senior administrator at the club, asking for a chat. No names, no pack drill and all that; I tell him no chat required, quite comfortable. Although, given all I have been promised, where is my Rangers TV code, and, the MyGers welcome pack, and my my Lanyard? I explain, I have formed the Lanyard Loyal RSC and have been appointed Chair of said club. I cannot be seen to Chair meetings without wearing my Lanyard. It's an affront to my dignity. I am told the club don't do satire. If I could be bothered, I would have asked what do the club do? Instead, I returned my telephone to it's receiver. I am forming a new club, 'the No Rangers TV Code, reduced to viewing illegal streams Loyal RSC'. Catchy I know, I wouldn't be surprised if I am appointed Chair. Before any Gersnetter gives me grief, please keep in mind, they started it. I too, would welcome a return to the cosy atmosphere provided by, "the finest modulated build facility"(Martin Bain) ie the Ticket Office Portakabin.