Rousseau

Docherty would be a good option for our diamond: has the energy to play in one of the wide roles, and an attacking threat at the tip of the diamond.

Are we still in for Jake Cooper from Millwall? I was watching him in their FA Cup game against Everton. He looks quite a unit. Although, I'm not sure about his passing as they just launch it long all the time. He's won everything in the air, though, and covering well. 

It depresses me having to look out for the results of the teams around us, but the 0-0 between Kilmarnock and Aberdeen is a good result for us.

Both loanees are doing well. 

Shame Shrewsbury couldn't hang on to the win (93rd minute equaliser). They have a replay, though.

This is the start of the thread if you want to read / watch through all of them. Some interesting stuff.

Positives from the 4-4-2 Diamond:

He also points out an issue with Jack that I think we all had an inkling about but couldn't quite pin-point.

He's not making himself available and he's not breaking the lines. (It's something that Broony -- I know... -- did well. Sorry.  )

This analysis is top class. It shows that Worral has qualities, but he's lacking in areas that get him caught.

Also, the first pass is great, because Kent has dropped into the space to give an option. Like I've said above, both Davis and Arfield should be deeper, making themselves available for that pass in that very area. According to the video it was the one time that happened. 

When you read the "Rangers can today confirm the signing of...", then read the end of the sentence:

Tragic.

24 minutes ago, JohnMc said:

Well he's got Tav clear on the right for a flighted pass, Halliday is pulling away from his man onto the left, Jack can come short for a quick pass to feet and back to Worrell again to create space in behind him, McAuley can come to him either taking the pass or drawing the attacker creating even more space for Tav and of course McGregor is clear behind him. He had options, he just wanted too much time and took none of them. 

I'm not defending/excusing the guy. He screwed up; big time. 

Even going back to the 'keeper or hoofing it long would've been better, but that wasn't my point. 

I was making a wider point -- albeit poorly -- about our general build-up play, which has been poor for a while. 

4 minutes ago, Frankie said:

It's all well and good to make passes from the back but there's absolutely no excuse for getting caught in possession.  If nothing is on, nothing is on so send it long into the channel.

Yes, of course. I agree 100%. I'm still incredulous that he did lose possession!

It was more of a general point about our inability to pass it and build attacks through the phases. For me, Davis and Arfield should be in view, with the option to pass to. It's a structural issue, or player positioning. 

1 minute ago, craig said:

We will agree to disagree then.  McGregor gets a glove to it which makes it look like Jones hit the corner.  He didn't hit the corner and his shot was more central.  McGregor should have done better - it was a grass (sic) cutter.

It was sarcasm.

I agree; It shouldn't being going in. 

2 hours ago, ian1964 said:

Quite incredible to lose a goal from this position!!

 

It is a joke; he should not be losing possession there. 

However, who can he possibly pass to? Other than McAuley? 

22 minutes ago, pete said:

I don't want to sound uber-staunch but I have no idea how you can turn Rangers off and watch another team, Maybe if we were 3 or 4 behind but we were always still in the game yesterday.

It was only for a few minutes, then I was compelled to switch back. 

It was unstaunch. I apologise profusely. 

RE: "The midfield three (outwith Kent, who had a roaming role) were not properly positioned to find each other; I felt they were all isolated. "

I was so annoyed I switched it over to the Man City game, and although it was a slightly weakened side, you can see every time a midfielder has the ball, there are always options on the ball. Their structure is perfect: they're always 10 yards away from each other, staggered proportionally across the pitch.

It means they have lots of options and easy passes to move opponents around, to work the space. 

When I look at us, too often there is just no options on the ball. The attacking midfielders go forward too early, meaning Jack has sideways passes to make, and the defenders start dithering. 

We have to build the ball up through the phases. 

We were sluggish, and lacking a bit of fight -- but, anytime we do show fight we're getting booked left right a centre. We needed more urgency, though.

I thought the tactics were fine, if not perfect.

The Full-backs need to provide the width, but I thought they were too deep. The midfield three (outwith Kent, who had a roaming role) were not properly positioned to find each other; I felt they were all isolated. 

When we crossed the ball we had loads of players in the box! Which I thought we great. If the Full-backs were higher it would've been more fruitful. Even the deep crosses could've been better if the midfield/attackers could've dropped off. 

It seemed to me like it was just a lack of experience in the formation. 

Of course, he did change it: we went 4-3-3 towards the end, with more orthodox width. We maybe got in behind a couple of times, but the crosses were still not great and there were fewer players in the box. 

I feel like we gave them two goals. 

I don't know what it is about away games?

9 hours ago, craig said:

Not only the distance pete, but Jones' shot wasn't even in the corner....

I have to disagree: when you see it again, McGregor had no chance...

Childish.

Final whistle blows. 3-2. 

Barasic goes down just before in considerable pain. 

Palmer looks like he's just out the womb!

Poor performance overall, but the youngsters Houston and Kelly have not looked out of place. I didn't see the goal conceded, was McCrorie at fault at all?

Another youngster, Palmer, comes on for Kelly, 

This half has been the opposite: Quite solid defensively in a 4-3-3, but sh*te going forward.

This is when we concede...  

Candeias pounces on sloppy build-up from the 'keeper, and slots in home.