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It may not be the answer but it's clear we need alternative tactics and here's how I see it ........... McLaughlin Patterson - Goldson - Balogun - Bassey Jack - Hagi - Lundstram - Aribo Wright - Sakala I'm all for attacking width, whether it comes from fullbacks or midfield, but our big issue right now is a powderpuff defence and it's crucial we stop exposing ourselves to free crosses into our box and having our central defenders pulled wide to cover for absent defenders. If fullbacks are going to go forward then we need to get back to having discipline in midfield to cover for them - we used to be good at that but since Jack's injury it seems to have gone all to hell. The last few months have shown what suckers we are for losing goals to fast-transition counter attacks. We need to set up to stop losing easy goals or we'll never regain the confidence that's so obviously absent at the moment. We also need to assert our pace up front - we have it in abundance but we seldom benefit from it because we spend too much time chasing endless ineffective crosses into packed opposition penalty areas.

Ryan jack has come off the bench twice now and is hopefully close to being ready to start games. Our goals conceded numbers will definitely improve when Ryan Jack is starting every game.

McLaughlin will at least come for crosses and his distribution is much better than McGregor's, not to mention quicker at getting the ball back out to the outfield players. What he doesn't seem to have is that rare ability that elites have to make those absolutely top-drawer, "HTF did he get to that?" saves, but very few do. Very few clubs rotate keepers, even when they're the best team in their respective country. There's a reason for that. Given the mistakes we've been making, I've no idea why we've been rotating them this season.

What are you talking about? Kamara, Aribo and Hagi have been our best players! You've clearly got an agenda.

He’s been sorely missed

I would hope GVB will have seen enough to decide who starts and what we think, which is probably largely based on recent performances, is irrelevant. It's up to the players to show they want it.

Sure sure Connor.

I'd expect Lundstram and Jack to form a double midfield pivot, allowing Patterson and Bassey to interact with the forwards as well. Let's take the game to the racists and make Ibrox rock.

Once again it's left to Rangers to fly the flag in Europe for Scottish football, about time other teams did their part to help the coefficient

Spot on

Yeah, thought I was watching a different game! Kamara winning plenty in midfield, Hagi doing well for the goal and Aribo been or most dangerous player going forward. Just a little more composure and we will mske more chances.

Our best plays have come from some runs in behind. I'd like to see more, though.

Great effort from Hagi to get that assist, after a shaky start from him. A very good first time finish from Morelos. Sometimes he takes too many touches, when he’s at his best he just finishes it. He’s clearly aware of the criticism he has received from fans judging by that celebration.

Not sure if he said big changes. Given the circumstances It's more likely that he changes how we play rather than who plays. Also likely that things change gradually over time.

Theres a few in that team who have had more than there fair share of chances.

What was everyone expecting here? Gio has to work with the squad he has... I feel like a lot of fans are expecting Gio to come in an read the riot act but why would a new manager come in and shoot his load straight away? That's a one and done strategy. He's got to give the players a chance.

Looks like GvB asked Gerrard to pick the team. It will be a miracle if we take anything from this game but as always hope springs eternal

Rangers 0 - 2 Sparta

I guess its harmless and there wouldnt be Gersnet but for threads like this

But, fun, though... no?

I think, as has been said, it is absolutely pointless putting teams up. I could never second guess Gerrard and with GVB promising changes its virtually impossible to call

If it was up to me: Mclaughlin. Patterson Balogun Goldson Barisic. Kent Jack Davis Aribo. Hagi. Sakala. In a 4-4-1-1 formation.

If the other team had no chance that one has less than none.

.... but fair.

If that's what we field then we'd be as well not turning up.

an appeal now would probably see them make the weekend and miss rangers.

My team for tonight: Kent - Morelos - Sakala Hagi Kamara - Jack/Davis Barisic - Balogun - Goldson - Tavernier McGregor I went with a front three to emphasise the wingers, but I think it'll be a 4-2-3-1. I get the feeling GvB will play a #10, but I could also see two #8s, which is a simple change. That defence disappoints me, but I don't think we have too many obvious changes, here. I feel GvB will fall back on the 'first choice', to see what they can do; give them a fresh chance to impress.

Does Dave Vos count? Looks to be another coach added. We're linked with Zeb Jacobs, too, another coach; Belgian, and head of development at Royal Antwerp. Both sound quite promising.

Think it'll be the weekend game they miss unless it's for violent conduct (which both should be) then it'll be 2-3 games. I expect if it is 2-3 games Hibs may well appeal.

I think we’ve had enough of our predictably vacant defensive flanks being exploited as they have been this season. We either need a huge improvement in defensive discipline or we need attacking width to be available from other positions. Or both.

Balance? The Rangers media vortex was perfectly portrayed over the last few days, it was Scottish League Cup semi-final weekend and the Pacific Quay Gang Hut brought it's usual balance to events. The four semi-finalists were Rangers, Sellik, Hibs and, St Johnstone Off the Ball set the benchmark. One of the co-Hosts, RAB Cosgrove is a Saintee thus every fart and burp is covered including why 2,000 Saints supporters at Hampden on Saturday was, "a good turn out". Since the first semi on Saturday was Sellik v Saints, the Off the Ball show had balance, the guest was Craig McLean. A former Keeper at 'Well and Clyde gave up football for an Equity card. In his soliloquy he blurted, "ahm a big Sellik man". It was pantomime time on the Sunday show, another Actor and full time Hibee, Dougray Scott dropped the 'F' bomb and told of only ever being threatened once, by a Rangers supporter obviously after the 2016 Scottish Cup final. The balance was provided by RAB Cosgrove, even his mucker', Tam Cowan called it, "you're just a big Hater". RAB stated, "Gerrard was off before the next Administration" and, "Neil McCann will not be talking to BBC Scotland by the end of the weekend". RAB has recently entered his 70th year and his trolling of Rangers supporters extends to pronunciation. Giovanni van Bronkhurst is having his Christian name mispronounced. It's not Gee-o-vanni, the proper pronunciation is Joh-vanni. RAB quotes the authority of the Editor of Flourish - the RC Archdiocese of Glasgow Journal. Ronnie Convery has joined Kevin McKenna, Angela Haggerty, Jum Spence, Gerry Braiden, ............. and, Phil McFournames in telling RAB what to tell Rangers supporters. Ronnie was a Spokesperson for Cardinal O'Brien for several years, maybe he'll tell RAB why the Scots Cardinal spent his final four years living in Northumbria? Anyways, RAB will be the recipient of multiple pats on his napper from those named. He can be relied upon to supply that special PQ balance when required. Last week, he did the Big Dick thing, resorting to his newspaper column to present a preferred prejudice. He had several bites on radio about the way Actor, Brian Cox was treated on Question Time. I watched the show and the Dundee born and bred Thespian made a roaring cnut of himself. The final question epitomised, it was with reference to Glasgow hosting COP 26 and a bin man strike taking place because of a plague of rats? Brian answered, "that's life". Brian Cox is just another big Sellik man and he has lived outside Scotland these last fifty years, the last couple of decades in Manhattan. He was the ScotsNat rep' on the panel. He got off the plane, pinned on the necessary lapel badges and the damp of the SECC reminded him why he left the country. RAB was outraged such a special Actor was disrespected. So much so, he utilised his National column to inform the five thousand folks that continue to purchase the comic that those administrating the bin workers strike(the GMB) were funders of the Better Together campaign. Further, they were not interested in promoting Scotland's good image. Nicola and Brian copped it unfairly, the bin men were only motivated by greed. RAB brought balance to the rats and chaos present in the FM's constituency of Govanhill. It's hardly surprising, RAB of the sandstone villa in Dennistoun, the Sri Lankan villa with infinity pool, the East London flats, ............ supports Nicola and Brian against working men toiling in appalling conditions. His Socialism is framed in precise National terms, pronunciation - RAB Balance.

It's not a proper transfer thread without @Bill deriding it. It has now been christened.

Oh God, not this crap again

I’ve actually wanted McLaughlin to be our number 1 since last season. Last season he was only exposed in Europe but this season I don’t understand why McLaughlin hasn’t been given a proper chance to become our number 1. McLaughlin has conceded 5 in 8 domestic games. McGregor has conceded 11 in 8 domestic games, several of which he was at least partly culpable for. That is a very quick and dirty comparison of course, but the goalkeeping stats you sometimes see on Twitter haven’t been kind to McGregor for a while. I did a quick check on their goals conceded rate for last season and there is a significant disparity too.

Notify the Stock Exchange? Hell they didn't even discuss it with their own shareholders at their AGM. The denial is total.