Rousseau

So they're 'light years ahead and far superior to us' in how their DoF and head coach have used their resources, despite having less resources? That's ... quite damning, no?

No... But the general argument is we can't compete (to be fair, this needs to be defined) at the CL level, when we can, when we get it right. For me, 'compete' is challenging for 3rd in a CL group, even if we don't quite make it. I don't think that's far beyond us.

It does seem like that, unfortunately - not by me, I'd like to add - but it doesn't therefore follow that they want our old players back. I'd like to throw Beale on the scrapheap, though... 👀

No one wants them back.

You'll be proved correct or wrong depending on how PSV do in the CL this season.

Are you starting to see the benefits of a DoF... ?!

I agree with this, but I don't see how Danilo can be unfit: he was on fire for Feyenoord during their full pre-season.

We also beat Dortmund and Leipzig; two (I'd say top) CL teams.

It's telling that the more calm and reasoned posters are now questioning Beale's tactics, alongside the demented-cynics and the stato-VLs. We just need the overly optimistic head-buryers to join us! Join us - we have time on our side... and Tunnochs Caramel Wavers...

The lad was on fire for Feyenoord during pre-season.

'Mon the Leeds!

I am quite negative at the moment, but I do enjoy European draws. It's always quite exciting. I'd like to face Leverkusen and Brighton, to show us how teams should play football. We'll get pumped, but you'll enjoy it! 👀 Xabi Alonso has Leverkusen playing some superb stuff. De Zerbi is De Zerbi - I've been a fan since his Foggia days. I always think, surely we could have easily tempted De Zerbi from Foggia, or after his failure in Palermo? *Sigh*

In theory you're correct, but can you really see us doing well against these sides? We limped past Servette (pot 4)... 👀

Some data for my fellow VLs: Rangers vs xG xGA Goals Goals Against xG Diff. Celtic 1.99 1.17 2 2 0.82 Dundee Utd 1.56 0.46 2 0 1.10 Kilmarnock 1.49 0.79 3 2 0.70 St Johnstone 3.29 0.23 2 0 3.06 Hearts 3.05 0.86 3 0 2.19 Ross County 2.15 1.01 2 1 1.14 Livingston 2.80 0.84 3 0 1.96 Kilmarnock 3.48 0.79 3 1 2.69 Hibernian 4.02 0.48 4 1 3.54 Motherwell 3.74 0.88 4 2 2.86 Dundee Utd 2.02 0.39 2 0 1.63 Celtic 0.69 1.09 2 3 -0.40 St Mirren 3.65 0.30 5 2 3.35 Aberdeen 1.90 0.94 0 2 0.96 Aberdeen 2.00 1.30 1 0 0.70 Celtic 1.57 1.34 3 0 0.23 Hibernian 1.90 1.19 3 1 0.71 Hearts 2.70 1.17 2 2 1.53 St Mirren 1.81 0.55 3 0 1.26 Kilmarnock 1.36 0.52 0 1 0.84 Servette 3.03 0.99 2 1 2.04 Livingston 2.44 0.12 4 0 2.32 Servette 2.23 1.13 1 1 1.10 PSV 1.08 1.29 2 2 -0.21 Ross County 1.75 0.28 2 0 1.47 PSV 0.88 2.57 1 5 -1.69 12.77 6.90 12.00 10.00 The trend is not good (albeit not a big sample size).

What are your thoughts, folks?

FTFY.

A few scores, but not many. Correct Result (1 pt): Bill, BD, Mal and T-1000. Correct Number of Rangers Goals (1pt): Rousseau, Bill, Lenny, BD, Yorkie, Dado, DJ, SBG, compo, Mal, Ian, Yuddie, CammyF, T-1000 and Ted. FGS (2 pts): Stew, Ian, CammyF and FS. Correct Score (3 pts): - Three points separate the top 10. Latest Standings:

I don't disagree with a lot of these points, but surely there are valid criticisms to be made? (If we're looking for an identity after 9 months (MB tenure), that's quite damning.) Putting our heads in the sand and saying, 'well—they're a CL side, so we've no chance' is pointless. It's up to the club to get the best out of the resources we have. I don't think we're doing that.

Stop making excuses. There are valid criticisms to be made. "Dealing in freebies"? We just spent £15M on new forwards and our goal came from a RB. "Win on Sunday"? How? We're playing a CL team. They just have all the money. They sold a player for £25M. They have better players. We need to open our eyes and get a grip! (This is sarcasm.) Just pointing out the inconsistencies, here.

This is really no excuse. The gulf between us and the Diddy Scottish clubs is even wider, yet they can defend and counter effectively against us.

FFS! I had Tavernier as FGS but changed it to Tamundo...