Rousseau

To be fair, it's an opinion piece; it's not supposed to be impartial. Moreover, the quality of his prose is not linked to his content or opinion. His opinion is valid. I don't really disagree with it. (What's with the one-sentence paragraphs?!)

I think the consensus is McGregor and Murdoch. McGregor has been immense, despite not garnering much optimism from me when we signed him because he had only played for Cowdenbeath and St Mirren!

Yogi is an absolute no-go for me. Not good enough. Butcher built the ICT squad with young players. It doesn't take much to come in and do a decent job in Scotland with good young players IMO. He's not exactly been successful. Again, McInnes is the same old type. He's done well, but I'd rather we do better -- DoF with technical Head Coach.

I agree with Laudbertz: it's a very subjective question that invariably consists of forwards. We'd be better picking a Greatest XI, so defenders, 'keepers etc. are included.

Should everything not just be allowed? In a football context? (I do expect better from a politician, no matter how much I disagree with their party. Position of authority and all that...)

He was 19. I think a few years in our squad would have been beneficial for him and the club. He was a youth player, so he couldn't have been on that much? I agree when it comes to the more professional players.

He was promising, but one game is not enough, even if it was against them. It's not so much his ability that I'm rejecting, but his decision to terminate his contract after just breaking into the first-team. He only played 9 games! Naw -- like I said: he's made his bed...

He plays the same position as Murdoch -- I think Murdoch is better. Not for me: he's made his bed...

Team News: It's four changes for Juventus from the weekend. Back come Patrice Evra, Arturo Vidal, Alvaro Morata and Giorgio Chiellini. Juventus: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra, Marchisio, Pirlo, Sturaro, Vidal, Tevez, Morata. Real Madrid make one change from the side which beat Sevilla at the weekend as Gareth Bale comes back in to replace Javier Hernandez. Sergio Ramos continues in midfield. Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Pepe, Kroos, Isco, James, Bale, Ronaldo

I really admire the way Bayern go about their business: the epitome of professional. I liked the way they play, but I got really frustrated at Barca winning everything 5 years ago and have never come round to liking them again. Moreover, I disliked Guardiola because he was part of it, but I have really come round to admiring his talents. He has had to change his style to be successful at Bayern. I enjoy watching Bayern's tactical approach more than I enjoyed Barca at their pomp. I'd rather not see an El Classico final -- a bit dull. We get it twice a year already. European Final should be between two European sides from different countries. Nevertheless, I can see it happening.

Did Giles Coke not play for Motherwell? I seem to remember him getting good reviews although I never really seen him play. It goes to show, these guys think they're superstars because they can hack it in Scotland, but then fail in the English lower leagues. McCabe gets all he deserves.

Juventus vs. Real Madrid: Depends what formation Juve deploy: 3-5-2, then I can see it being tight, and they could perhaps sneak a win, but the clean sheet is key; if it's 4-4-2 (diamond), then I think Real will win the game. I think it'll be a score draw - 1-1, or 2-2. Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich: This is going to be a very tactical game -- my favourite! I think we might see Bayern dominate possession. I think they will both score, but I think the tie is dependent on Barca taking a good lead to Munich. Enrique is quite dependent on the front three, which I think Guardiola will nullify. Possibly another score draw -- 1-1, or 2-2. Damn -- I played that a bit safe!

I had a look last night. It's encouraging. However, my point was based on when they reach the first-team. They are often shoehorned into a pre-defined position, rather than looking at their individual qualities and how they can be used. I have never had too much of an issue with the youth set-up, because we do seem to be producing decent young players. My problem is the 'integration' as John McIntosh (spelling?) put it. It's the first-team management that are not using the players correctly -- IMO.

Actually, I was extending D'Artagnan's Orwell reference! Too much?

Hate speech is defined as: "...any speech, gesture or conduct, writing, or display which is forbidden because it may incite violence or prejudicial action against or by a protected individual or group, or because it disparages or intimidates a protected individual or group." I did not think that the things that have happened to pro-unionist thinkers/writers could be considered hate speech, however, on reflection, it is an expression of hatred, rather than mere disagreement. I may disagree (and dislike vehemently) with what Sturgeon/Salmond say/believe, but I defend their right to say it. Their unofficial Yestapo restricting free speech is going too far. Scotland's shame is false/fake offense and our all-too-quick predilection for assigning blame. This law is just an extension of that. Why should being offended by a crime?

One-party State; controlled state media; thought crime. Sound familiar?

As per my article -- http://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news-category/current-affairs/379-praised-but-never-preached -- (Plug!), it seems symptomatic of a cultural problem. How are so many players deemed 'pish' when other clubs -- sometimes better clubs -- can pick them up and turn them into proper players? There have been so many decent players that have obvious talent but for whatever reason, they don't make it at Rangers. Is it our attitude? Are we too quick to judge, not able to appreciate a decent player that maybe just needs time? Is it poor management not being able to utilise a player correctly? We also have the opposite: players that have been quite effectual at Rangers not able to make it at another side. It seems to me that we don't know how to use talent. We revert into old stereotypes of 'big, tall and powerful' or 'quick'; and that's it. Mohsni has obvious talent, but he's liable to make mistakes -- actually, I think he just takes too many risks, rather than makes mistakes per se. We could have used him better; possibly partnered him with a more stable CB. I'd like to quote Tannochsidebear: "It seems we look at the CV of our players and try to play the most well known ones into a fixed formation without much thought of if they are the best pick for that position and proposed style of play, and that of our opponents."

AARRGGHHHH!!!! ....it's 'Macleod', not 'McLeod'! Why have I never noticed!

That's a great analogy. Coaching is important, but, I agree, sometimes 'purists' teach things that are not beneficial to the individual. I think players should be taught different things, but ultimately they have to play and develop in line with their natural ability -- it may not 'look' right, but it's better than trying to force a player into something there not. This is dependent on the coach having an open mind. The tennis technique dictated on players is similar to a cricket technique: they're told to play a certain way. However, in other countries a players idiosyncrasies are encouraged rather than eliminated. We also need a first-team coach that's able to appreciate where on the pitch a player can play his best football. I did state that players are 'shoehorned' into a position and expected to do things that are expected of that role, when that is not always the case. A player should play a role that suits his game. Philip Lahm plays in midfield -- at times -- for Guardiola because he wants an intelligent passer and mover with an appreciation for wider roles in that position, rather than his normal Full-back slot.

Forget 1200 words! I should have just wrote that sentence! Summed it up perfectly.

Even the decisions they do make are piss poor, but that doesn't matter to Nats -- faith-based politics.

This annoys me. Are we just waiting for a 'good' player to come along, or are we actively developing them and teaching them? I'd like Roxburgh involved at Rangers. He's got a good technical brain -- I keep seeing his name whenever I read pieces on tactics, developing players and coaches (Mourinho was taught by him...for a bit.)

Of course, everyone has a different opinion as to the individual, but there seems to be a broad dichotomy developing: one group wanting an old-school disciplinarian to get us competing now; versus another group which wants a more progressive, youth-based, 'coach' to develop the team. Both groups want 'good football', but there is a difference as to what 'good football' actually is.

Agreed -- A bit of a nutcase. His record at club level is abysmal. I think he only has one way of playing: Forest were quite good early in the season, but as soon as sides figured them out they dropped significantly, and he couldn't adapt. He's an old-school manager, which I think is fast becoming out-of-date.

Fair enough -- It was used to make a point.