Rousseau

Well done Huddersfield! They were the better team (barely). I've been impressed with them this season, but today was always going to be dull; it's too important for it to be an entertaining game. Nahki Wells has got the Bermuda (Bermudan/Bermudian?) flag round his shoulders.

What happened to the transfer rumours and hearsay?

That's a fair point, well put. It's just that every time you post your more pessimistic interpretation, I feel the need to post a defense. I like Archibald a lot; I felt he had -- not really watched them in a while -- Partick playing some nice stuff. Maybe not ready for a job like ours, though. The others have, undoubtedly, done good jobs at their respective clubs. However, for me, they are in the same philosophy bracket: well organised, defensive, and play the percentage game offensively. It would probably get us 2nd, but with Rodgers at Celtic, it won't help us overcome them. Moreover, it'll do nothing for our European aspirations. Maybe it's just a belief, but for me, foreign managers have better tactical awareness -- Portuguese especially. There's a reason Scottish sides don't do anything in Europe. We have seen some innovative formations from PC to try and turn games. I agree it has been brutal at times, but I maintain I've been more impressed with spells of it than I have been for a long time. I don't believe our players are good enough to execute exactly what he wants; once he gets a few of his own players, I think we'll see progress. I genuinely hope I'm right.

Yes, but he's just using certain facts to suit his negative/pessimistic view -- which is fair enough. I can put a more positive spin on his record, by saying he actually picked up the same number of points at Uniao as his predecessor (Uniao were also relegated a year or two after he left), and picked up more than his predecessor at Nacional, a bigger club, so he must have done something right. The Mexican 'league' is mental, but he did win trophies, and even got Santos to the Semi-final of their Champions League only losing 1-0 over two legs to the eventual champions. Qatar I put down to money. He had the Qatari side finishing 2 points lower than his predecessor, but actually had them 5th when he left to join us. He has also been recommended by Jose Mourinho in the past. Even his performances with us, you can say it's been brutal at times, but I think we've also seen spells of some of the best performances too. It just depends how you choose to look at it. Like you, I'm willing to give the guy a chance.

I like the look of Herrera (strong, athletic, penalty-box striker with good movement), but it looks like he needs service: how much service is he going to get when Tavernier hits the ball over his head every week?

Maybe just 8-1 then? It was a wrong decision on so many levels: it's a handball in the build-up and then Ramsey is offside, moving towards the ball. They even talk about it, so I don't know how they give it?

I'm ashamed to say I'm watching the Scottish Cup final. There's nothing much on until the FA Cup final - god knows what I'm going to do for the next couple of months?! They're not playing too well, but that could be down to Aberdeen nullifying them. Aberdeen are bang average; they play the percentage game, which embarrassingly in Scotland gets you 2nd. Some of the decision making is baffling: square the ball and there's a decent chance of it going in, instead the captain for the day, Shinnie, decides to shoot from an acute angle, wasting a good opportunity. They've invariably hit the 'keeper instead of aiming for a corner too. Jack looks average too; he's shadowing his man well, and cuts out/intercepts a good few balls, but he's not done much; and doesn't look too comfortable with his feet, although he's not done anything wrong and he certainly doesn't give it away. He might be what we need, or at least someone we can use: good tackler/interceptor, a physical presence and someone to keep it simple.

Fixed that for you.

A cut-off time for predictions seems to be popular, which can be implemented easily. The monthly competition sounds interesting too, but would be extra work; the existing google sheet could be adapted, though. I'll need to give it a wee ponder.

You can predict whatever you like; it's just that some, like myself, can't bring themselves to predict a Ranges loss.

I flicked over for the last 20 minutes. There's so much animosity in the stands; the least wee decision and there was a chorus of boos; horrible wee club. I thought when Dundee Utd went down to 10-men Hamilton would hammer it home, but then 2 players got injuries with no subs left, so they were in effect down to 9-men! Apparently Hamilton were on top in the first half.

I wanted us to go for Monk, but there's a few PL jobs there for him now, so he's out of our league.

It looks like an entry cut-off time and scrapping double points are the two (serious) suggestions, thus far. I don't think there is any need to change the point-scoring system, as even if we don't get the result we want we can still pick up points.

Penalty points to be used at my discretion...

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He failed at one of the Bristol sides too did he not?

FFS... even the Mexican's sound more tactically aware than us! Thanks for that - interesting player. Got the talent, but with off-field problems? A change of scenery may do him the world of good.

It might be over before it's begun too...

Calm down bud... I read somewhere that his performances have dropped off a cliff! That's probably why we're being linked. But I agree the perceived jump in quality is promising.

That's understandable. I quite like the double points as it adds variety. Maybe all the cup games is a bit much, but perhaps just the Scottish Cup - or Europe? - this coming season?

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Some GPL players have intimated that they would like to see some changes for next season. If you have any suggestions, please post them and we can discuss them. For reference, these are the current points and rules: Correct score: 3 points Correct Rangers first goalscorer: 2 points Correct number of Rangers goals: 1 point Correct result: 1 point (These points are doubled for Scottish Cup games only - i.e. not League Cup matches) First goalscorer (FGS) specific rules: - FGS predictions are for first Rangers goal scorer and are valid even if the opposition score first. - In the event of a correct 0-0 prediction, zero points will be awarded for a 'no FGS' prediction. Cup game specific rules: - Match predictions are for the whole match, whether or not that involves Extra Time. - Penalty shoot-outs do not count for predictions in any way - either for FGS or result/score. This includes matches played in the new League Cup Group Stage. Obvious time specific rules: - Your match prediction will not be counted if your prediction is posted after the official kick-off time. - Your whole match prediction (score & FGS) will be classed as completely VOID if you edit your prediction post after kick-off. - If you forget to post a prediction, the prediction you posted for that match in the Full season predictions thread will be used on your behalf. Rules for players on equal points in the standings table: I've implemented a logical priority system for players on equal points which is based on the most difficult things to predict in order as follows: - CS/Correct Score - FGS/First Goal Scorer - RG/Rangers Goals (number of) - CR/Correct Result (W, L or D) At the top and taking priority in the event of players on equal points totals, CS/Correct Score is the most difficult thing to predict, so that's essentially the equivalent of how GD/Goal Difference is used on a real football league table. If players have equal points and have also predicted the same number of Correct Scores, then their tally for FGS/First Goal Scorer predictions comes next and so on as listed above.

I don't know much about the players being linked to us -- outwith the UK-based players -- but instantly it looks like the calibre is much better than last year, which can only bode well.