Gribz

I know we wont be getting big names from top of the ladder like a Ballack, Tevez, Henry etc but when you see West Ham signing Ljungberg for 3 million and Dyer going for 4 million you just have to think if we are putting 3.3 million in for Whittaker and Naismith then is the next level of EPL players like a Ljungberg completely out of our reach? The wages are a stumbling block but there are players out there who would find Rangers attractive. As said above the CL will be a factor. If we are in it then a higher level of player will come to us. We also have to remember Smith attracted big players to Rangers before - ok he had an open cheque book - but he has to be credited for signing Gazza, Laudrup, Hateley and Albertz. So hopefully he can pull another name like this out of the hat.

Yeah I'll go with you guys on the above and would be happy for Sebo to get a run out. The centre midfield issue is going to be interesting if we get a creative player or Buffel comes into form. Ferguson is likely to be a banker starter even though Hemdani continues to be our best midfielder. The only slight issue I see is we have a few players needing to do position swapping to do our covering. For eg McCulloch could see himself being RM then LM the following week and even striker the next. Novo could be a striker one week and RM the next. Etc etc. There isnt anything wrong with having vertisle players but its best to have players in settled positions. Ive been a fan of a 5 man midfield over the years and I still am with the right players but we have to go 4-4-2. But the options we have now are much better, there may even be a shout for 4-3-3 in certain games: ______________McGregor______________ Hutton_____Weir_____Cuellar______Papac ____Ferguson____Hemdani____Thomson____ ____Novo______Darcheville____McCulloch__

I dont want to get a debate going in here as its footy chat but I heard a total new side to this over the weekend - I heard an actual former US soldier describe his experience in Iraq telling a radio show that the US army are taking out anyone they are told and the olny people fighting back are normal innocent civilians who just want them to leave there country alone. (A natural thing - Im sure if a country invaded Scotland the public would fight back) This Ex-soldier was actually arrested on Friday following his comments and they tried to charge him with leaving the army without proper consent which he proved wrong. He was telling us the media pertray lies to the West, for instance CNN was filming his bombing exercises they were doing but weeks later they showed it on TV claiming it was real fighting with Iraqis. I can get the clips if needed. There was much more. Anyway, well done Iraq on the victory, they actually played quite well over the tournament.

Not a bad feat as Japan and Australia arent bad sides these days and they were at full strength in the tournament. But im more happy for the country of Iraq more than anything else. They deserve a bit of luck seen as they have the American troops invading there country on false evidence and killing there innocent civillians. I just hope they can celebrate this and no bombing take place like during the semi final victory.

Ive never even heard of Cousin so I wont judge him. Naismiths age makes him more appealing thought but neither are that big name Im hoping for. Is he any good on FM?

Im still not too keen on either Naismith or Whittaker, but the one thing Smith seems to be able to do is mould great spirit and belief into a team. Id still rather go out and get that "better" player - whoever he may be. 3.3 Million should get us someone half decent. But SA is right, should we believe this statement from Murray?

Its an interesting comment from Murray is it!! Getting through the qualifiers will probably deter who we go for out of our targets. Its not a bad read from Murray and he is probably correct about Scott Brown.

That would leave us 3 Left backs. I know Whittaker can play RM but is he an attacking winger type?? But the way Hutton gets forward we just need a player who can cover him to get him forward more.

Thats the one good thing about the coverage over here, you get 4 or 5 live games on a Saturday. The pundits are clowns but they feed through Skys commentators for the games which makes it better.

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I was right - They are the chaps who just beat Chelsea

Ive got this on the telly. Valencia beat Inter and not its Arsenal against Le Guens PSG with Clement playing. Almost a full house at emirates and Arsenal are playing some delightful stuff early on. I thought they might struggle this season to get 4th place due to lack of big name players and they only have Walcott as a UK Born player in the first squad. But the youngsters are a year older and there touch is amazing to watch.

Yeah thats my choice aswell. Its a tough one between ferguson and Hemdani as ferguson gets about a bit more but Hemdani was class last season and sits infront of the back 4 and strolls games. Only downside is he doesnt get stuck into tackles so much. But at the moment Hemdani edges it ahead of Ferguson as a starter.

Yip we are fine upfront for number IMO, Sebo and Novo can play big parts. Surprising that McCulloch was brought in as RM, but fair enough if he can do a job there. He can always move upfront or left if need be. And of course we still have Gow and Buffel to come into things. The question is who gives way to a creative player in the XI? I think Smith would take Darcheville out but hopefully not as I expect him to be a menace to SPL defences. THANK FOOK THE FOOTY IS BACK

Still dont understand why a striker is top priority. We could always be done with 1 more but with Sionko leaving we are double short on the right and Buffel still isnt fit for the creative role.

Its on that link you gave Andrew for the Chelsea game

But it would have been a good chance to sing at Fat Frank.

Would you have rather gone to that or Gers V Chelsea? Id like to watch Barca, it would be great to see Ronaldinho live.

Hearts are claiming they are going to get 60,000 at Murrayfield for this. Obviously there is going to be tons Hibs fans and neutrals. But Hearts should be embarrassed that they can sell so much tickets for a friendly but when they play in Europe and Murrayfield they cant get half this amount. BTW Murrayfield should be used more often for big matches. OF Cup finals should get played there as you'd get an extra 16,000 fans more than Hampden.

He has been a flop, I was impressed with him at the start then I made a few trips to Ibrox last year and he was a dumpling who looked like he was playing with sand in his shoes. I still think he has some techinical ability but he doesnt get on with Smith and his Rangers career is over before it started.

Another question would be is whats relevant to Football in the first place.

I hope he at least has a good idea, or is prepared to change things and is not afraid of dropping the "certs" Ferguson and Boyd.

One could actually say Beach balls wasnt banter, it was taunting the Gers fans in a situation which already his high tension (OF derby). I know and you know and most people know its banter but there is a good few who would get wound up by this.

The worst thing about it is all this is propaganda and the mhedia give the perception that "We" are all bad and the "rest" are ok. This happens with everything on the news though. But for our own supposed "Rangers Men" to say we should act more like Celtic fans is just baffling IMO. They are the ones who should know deep down that the majority of Bears are top notch fans. All we need to look at is Cammys list of what Celtic fans have done over the years and its a no brainer that that lot are worse than us and thats not to mention Aberdeen and even Hibs fans. We wouldnt mind being up against a fighting (debating) the media but when our own people are saying this then what hope do we have. Im surprised at McCoist though. BTW I had to have a chuckle at this:

It wouldnt surprise me if he went to Edinburgh as he wont feel like playing infront of the Killie fans. I can see Hibs taking him just to punt him on for a profit, there chairman is a shrewd dealer like that. Hearts will try to do something ridiculous like buy him and give him a 10 million release contract.