Rousseau

3 minutes ago, BEARGER said:

Lafferty twice tries to beat umpteen opponents when Middleton is wide and waiting for the pass.

I'm not sure he was intending to take on umpteen players, but I know what you mean. 

I think Kamara could slot in quite nicely into one of the wide central midfield positions, with his energy and ball-control. 

Couple of chances for Defoe late on, but the half time whistle goes.

It's been ok. 

We've looked good going forward, with some really exciting interplay between Morelos, Davis, Arfield, Kent etc. The front two is working well. 

Defensively, we've been poor. I think the defence is getting isolated from our midfield when we press - like BSRT says, the press doesn't work otherwise -- so we're under pressure on the counter. We're susceptible to a long switch too with our narrow formation. We need to stop the switch or the Full-back needs to man-mark their wide man. 

Oh..

It's 1-1. 

I missed it typing up our goal...

Looks like another break, which we've defended poorly -- all game, to be honest. 

1-0 Rangers, Arfield. 

Defoe stretching play, Morelos finding the space deep, and slipping the ball through to Arfield, who toe-pokes it past the 'keeper.

More interplay, with Defoe stretching, Morelos finding space.

1 minute ago, BlackSocksRedTops said:

How's Defoe and Alfie working out? At swimming with my son so can't see the game

 

Also be interested to see how Davis slots in

It's two up top, but it looks like Defoe is playing more central, off the shoulder, with Morelos drifting wide or deep a wee bit to try and take advantage of Defoe stretching play. 

They've pressed well together, and linked up once on the break. 

More good interplay. Davis, Morelos, Kent and Arfield are linking well. 

Good play again saw Kent get a good shot away from a central area. 

Defoe was almost through one-on-one on the break, but the ball from Morelos was too long. 

We've got some lovely interplay going. 

We're getting on the ball now, dominating possession.

Tom and whoever else is on commentary duty can't seem to work out we're playing 4-4-2 diamond. 

2 minutes ago, BlackSocksRedTops said:

Pressing only works if the whole team are together. eg. the Celtic game

Yes, absolutely.

If Flanagan and Worrall close up, we snuff out their attack and win it back. 

Our defence is too deep, so they're disconnected from the the pressing midfield.

HJK get in behind, should have scored but Foderingham saves well. 

This team look well drilled playing it out from the back.

It is indeed a 4-4-2 diamond.

It could be a 4-4-2 diamond, with Defoe-Morelos up front, Kent in behind.

Exciting.

I suppose we can make this an informal match thread...

Disappointed it's been called off. Feel for those travelling. 

The friendly on Sunday is looking like a bonus now, as our next competitive game is away to Kilmarnock on wednesday, which would be a tricky tie if it was our first game after the winter break.

1 hour ago, Gaffer said:

If it was you finally coming out of the closet and declaring your undying love for KT .... I think someone already leaked that news a while ago mate.

Surely that's clear for all the world to see?

Sickening...

Oh my...

28

1 hour ago, DMAA said:

Ravel Morrison has Northern Irish roots, he’s probably just following the club. He’d be an interesting one on a free in the summer but his compilation on YouTube from atlas last season reminds you of ejaria, does something sublime and then plays the most simple and pointless pass possible. 

Yes: Sublime skill and close-control, but doesn't know what to do with the ball. 

If that skill could be channelled...

I actually like the look of a 4-4-2 diamond. RB Salzburg are one of the best sides to watch, for their intensity and pressing, and they play it. 

It's maybe a waste of our wingers, though?

Kent and Grezda could roam as a #10. 

Frankie: John looks at how the manager can change tactics for a title push

Me: Please don't say 4-4-2... please don't say 4-4-2...

John McIntosh: 4-4-2... diamond

Me:

Not Rangers related -- I'll move it if requested -- but it shows how important analytics are in modern football.

Rangers are in a difficult position: we're a big club, without the financial muscle of the big clubs. 

The point of picking up players from smaller, unknown clubs based on certain qualities and attributes that your team needs is particularly important for us.

We've needed a destroyer-type player, so we've gone for an unknown Coulibaly (although he's went off the boil) and now we've gone for Kamara, who's similar. It's intelligent player acquisition. 

Even an aerial threat up front; players like Eaves -- not sure what's happening with that? -- may look like poor players, playing at a very low level, but they may have the qualities and attributes we need to do a job.