Rousseau

I would rather change set-up than accommodate Miller, but I understand why he's been put in there: Its a more natural swap with Windass; Cummings just doesn't fit there.

We'd need to change set-up with Cummings -- to be honest, Murty is either not capable of changing that much (which is fair enough, as he's not experienced), or the pressure is dictating he goes with what he knows. 

*Miller starts*

Me: Why the hell is Miller in there? He's past it!

*Miller Scores*

Me: King Kenny!! What a player, what a professional!

2 hours ago, DMAA said:

Why would Dundee make up a lie about a bid and then name the club. There's no reason to doubt they're telling the truth, just as there was no reason for everyone to think Rangers were lying about the Morelos bids.

 

I haven't seen him play, but it sounds like he's finding his feet and bigger clubs than Dundee are looking at him. As someone has said, I guess we'll see on Saturday.

 

On a related point, I'd seen a suggestion Cedric Kipre would be a good signing with him getting in to the Ivory Coast side. On paper that sounds all right, he's a 6 foot 4 bruiser who's now an Ivory Coast international aged 21. But having seen the Motherwell Aberdeen highlights from the other night I've no idea how he made any international squad!

 

Did they actually mention the club, or just say they rejected a significant bid? 

I just don't believe it.

I think we fail, too often, to appreciate how certain players perform in certain systems. Caulker may have done well against Celtic the other night, but how do Dundee line up against them? Deep, tight block, on their 18-yard line. That's easy enough for strong defenders -- Alves would be a world-beater in that set-up. We just don't play that way. 

I have the same reservations about Kipre, but I'd take a punt if he's 21. He looked a bomb-scare against us the times I've watched him -- he can header. 

I'm intrigued to see how we line up.

For me, a front two doesn't work with regards to the opposition we face and the type of game-plan they employ, unless it's a 3-5-2, or 4-diamond-2; I think I prefer the latter, which would allow McCrorie to come in the midfield. I've said before I don't like Cummings in the #10 role.

The 3-4-1-2 (or 3-4-2-1, depending on how the front three are oriented) is quite prominent just now, and I think that would suit us, but I cant see Murty trying anything like that; he doesn't have the experience to tinker much.

I can't believe we're so keen to drop a player -- or even get rid of altogether -- that has contributed to 32% of our goals? 

We're not so blessed with goals that we can just drop a player over the least wee thing.

He's injured this weekend, and I think we'll miss him.

2 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

How did Windass get injured?  In training? 

I haven't seen him since he scored against Celtc?

15 minutes ago, Frankie said:

Manager has confirmed that Windass will miss tomorrow's game and Foderingham may not make it either.

3 minutes ago, der Berliner said:

I would assume that if asked, the Norwegian media will say: "according to reports from Scotland". Likewise, Dundee are neck-deep in a relegation fight and won't want to lose one of their most important players right now.

 

We'll see how in-form Caulker is on Saturday, if he's turned the corner, fine. IMHO, Dundee (or a team like theirs) was the right place to go and McCann the right man to go as well. Get himself back on track out while being out of the English media carneval and beyond the scope of the Scottish hacks, who circle around the Old Firm.

They allowed two of their best players to leave in January -- one of which was way better than Caulker; Caulker makes the third most key errors in the League; he's not in-form at all. 

I really doubt that value. Why would they not sell at that?!

Also, have you seen his performances? He makes mistakes constantly, and the stats back that up.

We dodged a bullet there.

Ray Wilkins, the former England midfielder, has died at the age of 61.

Wilkins, whose clubs included Chelsea, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers and Rangers in a 24-year-playing career that spanned three decades, fell after suffering a cardiac arrest last month and had been in a critical condition in St George’s Hospital, in Tooting, south-west London.

A winner of 84 England caps, he played at two World Cup finals. He became the fourth player sent off for England when he was dismissed during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico in a game against Morocco.

Wilkins – known in the game by his childhood nickname “Butch” - played for 12 clubs and was on the coaching staff of several more, but is commonly associated with Chelsea.

He started his career there and spent six years with the Blues, while also having numerous stints as assistant manager. On one occasion, he led the side on a caretaker basis.

Wilkins also managed QPR, Fulham and Jordan.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/04/ray-wilkins-former-england-midfielder-dies-aged-61

27 minutes ago, Soulsonic5791 said:

Despite my voting for 2020 for the purposes of realism, I really reckon that everyone should pull out the stops to win the league next season.

 

Without starting an online rumour, I have heard some encouraging news in the last 48 hours which says to me that there has finally been a realisation that 'you get what you pay for'. And after two false starts, it could be a case of third time lucky.

 

 

Seeing the launch of the Gersnet Podcast like...

I went for 2021, but when I think about it: at our best this year we looked to be well above Aberdeen and 5-10 points off Them; that's not bad. 

If we can get some consistency at that level, with a good appointment, and continue our recruitment drive, we should be comfortably 2nd next season. 

Not sure about that jump to pumping them, though. It could take another year, perhaps more...

I'm extremely pessimistic at the moment, but that is coloured by recent results. A month ago I was optimistic as we were doing well.

When you take an objective view, I think we're getting there. I thought it would take a good 5 years after promotion, and since then we've progressed, but not enough; I had hoped to really give them a go this year (which was my thinking when we got promoted), but we're not there yet. 

Warburton got us 3rd. Pedro improved us, and then it went to the dogs. Murty improved us a tad again, but we're still inconsistent.

To be honest, I think Mark Allen has done the most to improve us; his recruitment was excellent, ellevating the quality of the squad, and allowing Murty to improve us that little bit. 

We've gone from being nowhere near Aberdeen, to getting close, to damn well expecting to be above them by a good 5-10 points -- that latter has not materialised but I would argue that's where this squad should be. 

I think we're behind a bit now, from where I thought we'd be. There has been progress, but it's not enough, and it's been in drips and drabs; too many steps forward then two steps back. We really need a decent appointment.  

I think the Madrid fans applauded Messi at one point a few years ago.

Sometimes players do things that you just have to sit back and admire. 

Like Bill says, if you can't applaud a fine goal, then football has lost its soul.  

9 minutes ago, Walterbear said:

Fair point Rousseau but perhaps a bit easier in Scotland in a team which should have massive amount of possession. Much harder in a tough league where your conceding a lot of goals at a high pressure level.

 

Probably over optimistic with the 2 year projection right enough but physically he is well on so it’s about blending guys like him and Kelly in at the right time and in the right games. 

 

Deepite the pressures even this year I hope we can find the opportunity to blend more youngsters into the first team squad over the next few weeks. 

You bring up an interesting point with the possession-based sides; I think it requires a different style of 'keeper. Our 'keepers are not expected to be making saves every two minutes, but wonder saves a couple of times a match; it's difficult to be doing nothing for most of the game, then come up with a great save to shut out the opposition. Traditionally, our best 'keepers have done that. 

So, I'm not sure producing good performances at Berwick, where I presume he needs to make lots of saves, necessarily translates to playing for us, where he'd be doing nothing most of the game but being switched-on to make that one great save.

I always like to see youngsters make the step up.

It's McCrorie.

Promising young lad, but it's very difficult to break through as a GK.

2 hours ago, Little General said:

what about getting @The Moonlighter & the Gallant pioneers on to talk about the founders tour and the restoration of Rangers graves project?

Genius.

incidentally, I've got the Preston-Derby game on and Alex Neil has Preston playing some very nice, attacking stuff. They are a bit open defensively, though.

To be fair, I saw the logic: moving on from the prehistoric Pulis, onto a better brand of football, while maintaining that PL stability. Pardew was not a bad option, but he just wasn't able to get results. It wasn't a guarantee. 

Did he even get a transfer window?

I note some are still touting Pardew as a good move for us. I don't see it.  

Dodging 'Pardew to Rangers' links like...

2 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43610827

 

I was just checking all the weekend's results and thought I'd have a wee look at this clip.

 

Looked a fair challenge to me.

I'm certain he got a bit of the ball...  

Could they not spare a few million... ?

The "Oh, come on?!" was brilliant from the commentator. 

Special player.