Rousseau

I can see a high scoring game; I just hope we are able to score more than them.

Good to see Miller out of the squad, although I'm disappointed Windass is there.

Windass is one of our most creative players, surprisingly; it would be silly to leave him out. Moreover, he arguably had his best game for us against Motherwell.

All four of Motherwell's goals v Rangers since the start of last season have stemmed from crossed balls.

 

Rangers scored five goals in the last 10 minutes of games against Motherwell last season.

 

Daniel Candeias and Richard Tait have the highest number of crosses per game in the league (6.99 and 5.73).

 

Motherwell have beaten Rangers just three times since the turn of the millennium, including a 6-1 aggregate victory in the 2014/2015 Championship play-off.

PC mentioned as much, saying they've been working on wide deliveries.

I have tinnitus too mate, drives me round the bend! Constant ringing in my ears, horrible.

Sorry about that mate, i actually think as i get older i'm losing a bit of my hearing, least that's what the wife says. i get a bit of buzzing now and again, i work with a petrol motor on most days within earshot, i only lately started wearing ear defenders.

As I've got older I've reverted to wearing ear defenders for using the likes of the lawn mower, car polisher, drill and even the vacuum cleaner in the house. The 'ringing' in my ears is due to the abuse they got listening to Deep Purple and Steely Dan on max volume during my misspent youth.

That’s interesting bearman as whenever I have been around loud noise it gets worse (after the Football or cinema for eg). Mine is a side effect of some medication I take (legal medication I should add lol). Some days better than others?

My inspiration for other articles seems to have dried up, so I'll start picking up some previews.

I'll do the Hearts game.

I meant his Twitter picture. It’s no big deal on it’s own but in my opinion he goes on like he thinks he’s a superstar at times. The twitter thing just annoys me, I don’t hate the guy at all. I know there is a player in there and he needs to show he has the cojones to step up. I think a lot of fans feel this way which is why he gets a bit of a raw deal. Unlike say Hodson who has limited ability but always tries his hardest.

 

Bottom line is Josh has a chance in these next two months. If he keeps performing like he has been then we’ll bring in someone for the left side. And if that happens he won’t have fulfilled his potential and will most likely leave next summer.

He was talking about washing the older players' boots the other day on Twitter, and stated he'd gladly wash Captain Lee Wallace's boots too. Not sure that's someone that thinks themselves a "superstar".

Definitely

 

 

Mcinnis stock is rising. We may struggle to get him when the time comes.

If we succumbed to the whims of the fans we'd replace the entire XI every couple of weeks.

Windass has been disappointing at times, but I think there's a player there. He's certainly showing progress; his defensive game has improved a wee bit, and his attacking game is more focused. He's got a way to go before he's influencing games consistently; he's not going to get there if he's left on the bench.

I imagine the only reason you'd look at someone's profile is when you see a post and think

"who the fuck is this rocket ?"

but I'm only imagining it, I'd never do it myself !

Yes, I've done that with your good self...

66 views; What's that, mid-table? Relegation candidate?

I'm not sure Scotland fans, or the people in positions of power, have the patience or awareness to implement a project like the Portuguese did with 20 years or so until it bares any fruit. It's going to take something like that to change our fortunes. That Pianist analogy is spot on; you don't get anywhere by making our players more physical.

I'd like to see McCrorie get a few games with Alves. I think we've missed Alves' leadership, and his forward passes.

Just because we go with two forwards -- Herrera and Morelos, as has been suggested -- doesn't mean we're more likely to score goals. IMO, we have a better balance when we play a 4-2-3-1, with Pena pushing forward. Marking a static forward in Herrera is easier than the continually-in-motion Pena. We'll certainly need the defensive stability too.

Jack is a huge loss. Holt can do a job, but I do fear Saints' physicality. I'd like to see Barjonas get some game-time too -- can he come in for Jack, or is he more offensive? It perhaps doesn't solve the physical deficiency, though.

2-1.

It's sad but I just can't bring myself to support that team; It's somewhat irrational, but I always end up smirking when they concede.

Aww... 1-1.

Scotland winning. Happy dance

Thumb, though...

I love Serie A -- always have done since the classic Football Italia on Channel 4!

Napoli have been breathtaking in their attacking football; a real delight to watch. Milan have stuttered after so much promise on the back of significant investment. Juventus look vulnerable to me: they've consciously moved away from the strong defensive base to attempt to play more attacking and to score more goals; they score a fair few, but they also concede now -- what do you expect when you sell Bonucci?!

It's a tactically fascinating league -- even unfancied Atalanta, who've been terrific over the last couple of years. I expected them to do well against Everton -- even when the English pundits did not, although that's not unusual -- but 3-0 was pretty impressive; they totally dominated in their 3-4-1-2.

I was impressed with Holt's contribution against Hamilton late on: energy to burn and good movement. However, he's bullied physically too often to be a regular for us. Always confident that he'll do a job, though.

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Whats happening at Everton. Is it the Europa league curse?

Partly, perhaps, but I think it's trying to fit too many similar-type players into the same side. Koeman is going to have to be ruthless.

Sounds like we have a good crop of youngsters coming through. Hopefully they get chances to play for the first-team; that's what it's all about.

Hardie may get some minutes since Miller looks out of the picture.

Chelsea were really poor on the day - nothing to do with Conte; they were just giving away possession time after time, lazily.

However, Guardiola had it tactically: those wide 8's and inside full-backs had Conte stumped.

We are conceding far too many, but the stats suggest we should be doing better. Our xG against -- those the opponent are expected to score, based on the quality of the chance -- is around 6; we've actually conceded 10 (from the first 7 games). Either we're conceding really poor goals, or we're really unlucky; probably a bit of both if the Hamilton goal is anything to go by.