Rousseau

I thought the Ref bottled it, with the Mahrez penalty (Monreal 2nd yellow) and then the Simpson 2nd yellow (probably a yellow but fairly soft I thought) seemed to follow several decisions going Arsenal's way.

I'd echo the sentiments so far: it'd be great to see Leicester win the league. I don't think it's game over if they lose today, though. It's a marathon, not a sprint. I still think Tottenham have a sneaky chance. Going along very quietly, sitting second. If they get a good result against City, then they're in with a shout also.

Man Utd are actually getting worse.

Perhaps I am taking too much notice of what, I agree, is a minority. This merger is a good idea, but I don't think it's completely necessary at the moment. I think increasing our shareholding is most important. I think having two groups striving for this goal is not a bad situation -- It could help us get there quicker. Of course. I'm not a fan of complete transparency. I don't think every little thing should be made available, merely the outlines, proposals and decisions. It's just frustrating to see what seems like squabbling towards a vague goal, when to me the model to copy is obvious (Bayern Munich). But, I suppose that's part of the problem: everyone having their own thoughts on the issue. I think that's why I'd like Rangers to take the lead, rather than a multitude of groups. Then again, a merger might help that.

This really is depressing; too many ego's. It seems to me we are muddling through with many variants of the same idea from many groups. Instead, should we not be following the Bayern Munich model; one that works supremely well? (This Guardian article is long, but quite revealing of the Bayern model: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/dec/09/bayern-munich-bundesliga-global-expansion-karl-heinz-rummenigge) I think the Club needs to take the lead by creating an advisory board/committee (the club already has three committees for various things) which should be made up of representatives from all of the different groups. This advisory board can then make recommendations to the club board. For example, Bayern Munich's advisory Board stated that they did not want any more than 30% of the club shares in foreign hands (they only sold around 15% of shares in the last 6 years to fund the 360m Allianz arena, which they have almost paid off). Of course the difference between Rangers and Bayern is that their fans own 82% of shares; they have the power. We must seek to build our shareholding. If the Bayern club board don't do what they suggest, then they get voted out at the next AGM. Simple. Then, Bayern have a membership scheme whereby the members pay 60 Euros (I think per year) for various benefits (Welcome gift (every new member receives the welcome gift of a personalised scarf!) Discount at club shops (10% discount on all full price items), BAYERN MAGAZIN membership, Priority ticketing services, Concessionary match tickets, Admission to FC Bayern museum). They have 220k members paying this small membership, alongside season tickets (these are some of the cheapest in Europe contributing to sold-out matches). Fan group independence is not the priority IMO; and, one group is ideal, but not necessary at the moment. We fans need a substantial shareholding so we have the power. Then the Club should be taking the lead, so we can have a professional mediator instead of constant bitching back and forth between groups. The Bayern model works and it's there to copy. Why aren't we doing it? (Apologies -- it's a bit of a rant, but this whole process is depressing. Everyone seems to be fighting for their own egos, both individuals and groups. Pull your finger out.)

Ooft, vertical football at its most extreme!

I totally agree about Miller (and your narrower definition of legend), but I'm struggling to see the difference between Laudrup and Gascoigne. I suggested individual contribution to the team (as per Rabi-Duck's definition of Legend), as well as longevity, as a basic definition (Trophies are not necessary for legendary status IMO). So, with the above players, both provided a decent individual contribution, single-handedly winning games etc., but neither were here for very long. I'm just wondering why Laudrup can be considered a legend, but not Gascoigne? Ooh, do off-pitch issues come into it? (I know Gascoigne has had some issues, but he is a bit of a tit.)

That was unbelievable, 9-men winning like that (and the Walter fist-pump). Miller's contribution there does elevate him somewhat. Icon?

I like RabiDuck's definition: "should surely be someone who's made a clear, tangibly individual difference to the squad he's played in". I don't think trophies come into it, although it does tend to follow, generally speaking, with Rangers; but, like Pete says, one can be a legend without necessarily winning many trophies. Longevity needs to come into it also, as without this they're just good players, or perhaps icons: Negri made a "tangible, individual difference to the squad", but it was only one year; he shouldn't be considered a legend, but could be considered an icon (Mols, Albertz et al come into this category IMO). Laudrup is tricky because he was only here for a few seasons (4?), but I think most would argue his contribution and ability more than makes up for this. Miller has neither, really. Maybe a case for longevity, but it's only 5 years tallied-up, so maybe not. I always thought that 'legendary' status only really applies retrospectively. We'll only really judge his contribution once he's been gone a decade or so.

If we're measuring 'legend' by those guys' standards then we'll never have a legend again!

On gut instinct, I'd say no; valuable and important, but not a legend. However, what is the definition of a legend?

How do Bayern Munich deal with their 200m members and vice versa? I have refrained from commenting because I simply don't know enough, but find it all very disheartening. The principle is admirable but we're certainly making it difficult for ourselves.

McKay's not good enough for me: shirks from the tackle, is too greedy, has not won a header all year and passes backwards too often...

Apparently, the optimum time for subs are: 58 minutes, 73 minutes and 79 minutes. "To determine this, Dr. Myers analyzed the substitutions [...] of every game played during the 2009-10 season in the top English, Spanish, Italian and German professional leagues, as well as [...] the 2010 World Cup. He concluded that if their team is behind, managers should make the first substitution prior to the 58th minute, the second substitution prior to the 73rd minute and the third prior to the 79th minute. Teams that follow these guidelines improve—score at least one goal—roughly 36% of the time. Teams that don't follow the rule improve about 18.5% of the time." The times of Rangers' subs (indicated by BBC Sport) in the last 7 games where: Killie (60, 61, 74), Raith (63, 64, 72), Falkirk (60, 61, 77), Morton (58, 59, 73), Livingston (67, 68, 77), Cowdenbeath (62, 62, 71), Dumbarton (68, 69, 72). This clearly aligns with the optimum times suggested by the research above. This is just another way that Warburton has used stats and data to determine the correct course of action, like he uses with corners. Of course, football is a fluid game, dependent on many variables. In this Warburton is not blindly following stats, suggested by the fact that we've been trying more deliveries directly into the box recently, rather than playing short, as the stats suggest is best. We have a very lean squad, so every player is able to contribute -- otherwise they wouldn't be there. Every player is schooled in his philosophy, his Plan A, and is able to come in and out of the squad easily without the team losing the rhythm of the philosophy. This is reinforced by the regularity of the subs. Of course, players have different styles, so not everything will remain the same. However, I don't think this is an issue, if all players are playing the same philosophy. The data shows he likes a double substitution first, around 60 - 65 minutes (58 - 69 minutes is the range). If we take the premise that each player is schooled in the philosophy, and with regular game-time, each player is more than capable of coming into the side without disrupting the rhythm, then making the double sub would be more troublesome for the opposition. Just as the opposition are getting used to the players, there are two -- not just one -- new variables added to the mix; this, combined with the inevitable tiredness of the opponents, suggest it's beneficial to do so. This is demonstrated by the number of late goals we score, and matches the research: that the chances of scoring increase once a sub is made. We have had no reason to deviate from this method, because teams only play one way against us and we have to take the initiative (I suspect that'll change once we play 'better' sides more regularly). Of course "there are occasions when only one or no substitutions are required", but that would be disadvantageous to Warburton's philosophy and squad in our current circumstances. There is no reason to blindly stick with the same 11 (plus one change, as you suggest) week after week for injuries and suspensions to mount up. That would decimate our squad. It's more advantageous for Warburton to make his changes regularly, using his full contingent, to reduce suspensions and injuries, while also ensuring that the whole squad plays regularly, adding to the effectiveness of making those subs in the first place. (It's quite self-reinforcing when I think about it.) Erm, what's my point? No, I don't think it's counter-productive to make more substitutions, to rotate our squad; for the reasons outlined above. (Sorry, I rambled a bit.)

Apparently the optimum times for subs are: 59 minutes, 68 minutes and 77 minutes. This clearly resembles the changes made in our games. Clearly, it's not absolute, but it's another way he's using data to come to the best decisions; like taking short corners. I don't think they're pre-planned. There are only three changes to be made, out of 6 players (excluding the 'keeper). Combine that with the fact we only tend to make subs to go more attacking or refresh what we're already doing -- dictated by the type of games we play, where we dominate -- it's no wonder subs are predictable.

I don't think substitutions are devised beforehand. Surely, most sides are predictable with their subs anyway? We know our side best so it'll be second nature to guess what's to come sub-wise. Watching the Hibs-Hearts game today I could tell you what potential subs would be made. Moreover, there are only 2 or 3 adaptations you can make to a side in a game situation: go more defensive, go more attacking, or more of the same (refresh). We have never had the need -- generally -- to go more defensive and so tend to do the latter two. Combine this with the fact we have a very lean squad, it's no wonder the subs are predictable. And, there are only three changes to be made, out of 6 players (excluding the 'keeper). As to whether this is a disadvantage, not necessarily. Every side will do their analysis and preparation before a game to devise a way to win, so IMO teams will know, more or less, what an opponent will do; it comes down to how well those strategies are executed. I think the 'Plan A' comments have been misinterpreted a little. Warburton indeed wants his teams to play a certain way and will not deviate from that, but that doesn't mean changes can't be made to the personnel, which will have an effect of the team. For example, we lined-up with both Ball and Halliday in the side against Killie; both have a defensive side to their game. We were still playing plan A, but the personnel chosen provided a different slant on that game-plan -- more steel in there! The line-up clearly shows Warburton tweaking his line-ups to deal with 'better' sides. I suspect we'll see more of that in the future.

Apologies. "Hooked" has such a negative connotation. I agree, with that: it's usually fairly obvious who'll come off.

I'm not saying he is influencing every game all the time; clearly he drifts in and out of some games, and some games are better than others -- I think that's true of every player. As for the usual subs, in my view it's just what I said: there are players more preferable to have remain on the pitch, regardless of performance. In the Killie game, we needed to retain strength and a more potent threat of goal. Ball must remain for his defensive ability, and Halliday for his strength and long-range goal-threat. The only make-way is Zelalem. GZ has been involved in each of the last 7 games, where he has generally come off or on around 65 - 75 minutes. In these games we've been chasing a goal in half and been comfortably in the lead in half (4:3 to chasing). It suggests to me that Warburton is simply refreshing the team. I think you've made your own point: he's a young man of 19 (just turned), why would he be expected to play 90 minutes? I don't know of many 18/19 year-old's that can play 90 minutes at full-pelt. Moreover, it's a lean squad: naturally Warburton will look to rotate. Of course, that's just my opinion.

Ah yes. It looks bad when you see 0 shots on target out of 5 shots, but when you consider 3 were blocked, it's not so bad. All he can do is try to hit the target, and the stats suggest he did so 3 out of 5 times -- it just so happens Killie blocked them!

http://therangersreport.com/ They just compile stats per game, so it might take a bit of searching to find stats for a specific player. I think it's a good alternative interpretation of our games.

I agree he didn't have as much influence the second-half -- it might have came? -- but I don't think he was "hooked" per se. I just think that's Warburton's usual 60 min sub. It looked like there were players he would rather have on the pitch (Halliday) for a certain quality (strength? long shots?), despite Zelalem performing better. Tactics rather than performance IMO.

I think Halliday brings a more attacking threat from deep (long crisp passes and shots), but I still think he's lacking in his defensive game. Ball is obviosuly better at the defensive side of the game, but brings little offensively. I suppose we need to balance up what we need for individual games. I thought Warbruton wanted more steel and defensive cover for the Killie game, and so went for Ball in there. I'd prefer Holt and Zelalem. Law and Holt are too similar in the sense that they play in the final third, which leaves us open in the middle. Zelalem takes up the space in the middle, so we have more control and a more disciplined approach. That would be my base, but of course, when you need to go for it, bring on Law to drive forward. To give Law his due, we had more opportunities/half-chances towards the end of the game, but I felt we lost control of the game -- it was more gung-ho. The stats at GersReport suggest that our moves forward resulted in shots more often. (That has something to do with the stage of the game though IMO; it's certainly not the case when Law starts.)

Thanks and thanks for taking the time. I don't think the increase in tempo was because Zelalem went off, more because Holt came on. Holt provides more in the final third, more direct and willing to take risks. He is best (IMO) at finding space, so players were able to find him quicker. According to Gersreport (I will use them as they can provide raw data), Zelalem was responsible for 44% of Rangers' shots, from primary assists and secondary passes. And, he was joint-second in controlled zone entries. These stats suggest he did in fact cause damage to the opposition. I think we are better with both Holt and Zelalem: Zelalem dictating the play, recycling possession, and able to pick out Holt, who finds intelligent space and is willing to take risks in the final third. I only talked of him in the same breath as Arteta (in his role for Arsenal, not for us) in the same way you can talk about Jonjo Shelvey and Xabi Alonso in the same breath: same style, same approach to the game, same role for their respective teams; but clearly Shelvey is nowhere near the same level as Alonso.

I thought he was our best midfielder first-half. Lively, ran at defenders, found space, played a few good through-balls (one terrible one!) and actually won the ball back a few times with tackles. ''Dross'' is a bit harsh. Waghorn was pretty poor today, but there's not a lot of criticism for him. Perhaps we are all seeing what we want to see (me included)?

IBROX -- The Scottish Cup match against Kilmarnock was the perfect opportunity to banish those lingering doubts around Rangers' credentials against top-flight opposition. Mark Warburton had clearly learned his lessons from the loss against St Johnstone in the League Cup, setting his side out with a solid defensive shape, which restricted Killie to very few chances. Rangers dominated possession, but a lack of quality in the final third let Rangers down, as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw. Lee McCulloch stamped his ideas on Kilmarnock, with five changes to his starting line-up; including debutants Gary Dicker and Lee Hodson. Kilmarnock lined-up with an orthodox 4-2-3-1, with three attack-minded midfielders playing in front of two sitting midfielders. The powerful Josh Magennis led the line. Rangers lined-up in their usual 4-3-3. Despite the return of Jason Holt, Rangers remained unchanged. Dominic Ball retained his place in Defensive-Midfield, with Halliday and Zelalem playing in front. The inclusion of both Ball and Halliday gave the central midfield a more steely look. Miller, Waghorn and McKay made up the front three. Kilmarnock broke from kick-off aggressively, pinning Rangers back and winning a corner in the first minute. From the outset it was clear McCulloch wanted to isolate Tavernier. The tall Obadeyi pushed up high on the left, and Magennis spun into the left-hand channel to outnumber the Rangers right-back. However, Rangers' passing game gradually pushed Killie onto the back foot. Despite this, Killie still employed an orthodox 4-2-3-1, with the wide players playing in front of the Defensive-Midfielders (usually teams revert to a more defensive 4-4-1-1/4-5-1 shape). They clearly looked to counter whenever they could: Obadeyi and Magennis pressed on the left, pushing the Rangers defenders back, and Kiltie looked to spin wide from his No.10 position. Rangers looked to probe the wide areas, but Kilmarnock doubled up on both McKay and Waghorn, cutting off the attack and forcing Rangers back. Miller was very clever in his movement, spinning into the hole. It was from such a move that brought the first chances. McKay received the ball on the touchline and stood up his defender pushing him back, as Miller over-lapped and Wallace under-lapped providing two runners from deep. Miller dragged the full-back wide, as McKay slipped the ball through for Wallace to blast a shot at goal -- the 'keeper saved strongly. The Wallace under-lap has been a common tactic, but often comes into trouble as he runs into congested central areas. Miller's clever runs added another variable to the mix, creating space for McKay and Wallace. As Rangers dominated possession, Zelalem came into the game, finding space deep in the left channel. From there he had full view of the attacking-third; a few forward runs were cut-off with little movement, but a nice through-ball played in Miller when a forward finally did run in behind. Surprisingly, Zelalem also won the ball back a few times, by finally putting in a few tackles. Rangers were good at dragging the play over to one side of the pitch, with the aim of switching play. Zelalem drifted out wide, and Halliday tucked in also, dragging the Killie players over to the left flank. A switch of play looked to be the tactic here, but Waghorn wasn't disciplined enough wide-right, and Tavernier was too concerned with Obadeyi. The switch-of-play to McKay worked a little better, as McKay hugged the touchline. Kilmarnock's counter was firmly in the minds of the Rangers players. Tavernier and Wallace were deployed a little deeper, and Halliday was disciplined in central midfield and never roamed forward too often. There was a distinct lack of risk in the final third, as many were content to recycle possession. On a rare occasion when Tavernier did get forward, he unleashed an instinctive strike against the post. The counter-attack did inevitably come, but the long balls were the only method; Kiernan and Wilson were dominant in the air. Ball snapped up any loose ball in the central areas, and sprinted wide to cover wide runners. The only real instances of danger was when Tavernier and Halliday were caught high up the pitch; Ball had to close down the wide man, leaving two Killie players free in the middle of the park. Kiernan and Wilson were impressive, and seem to be developing an understanding. However, another move saw Kille get in behind Tavernier, and Kiernan gifted a chance by sliding in too eagerly. Foderingham stood tall, and his head came to the rescue. Rangers continued with their patient build-up, but a lack of quality in the final-third let them down -- although midfielders were reluctant to take any risks, contributing to the lack of penetration. Halliday seemed to have enough of this at times: a few runs from deep, good inter-play with Zelalem, posed problems for Kilmarnock and ended with a goal-bound strike being tipped round the post. On the hour mark, Zelalem made way for Holt (presumably Warburton wanted to retain the steel of ball and Halliday in the midfield, despite Zelalem having a good game) and Forrester came on for Miller (the old-man was tiring, but had a very good game). Ostensibly a straight swap, but Forrester's more direct style added an another option out wide. Strangely, McKay and Forrester seemed to tuck in a little, rather than stretching the play; it did outnumber the two sitting midfielders, causing a little indecisiveness. But, when both got the ball they were good at running at the Killie full-backs. A couple of half-chances resulted from aggressive wide-play. Unfortunately, there was a lack of a focal-point up front to take better advantage of this: Miller tended to spin into the hole, and Waghorn was too eager to come deep with his back to goal. Kiernan was forced off late on, with Law coming on. Ball dropped into Centre-Back and Law went into midfield. Law and Holt looked lively, but Kilmarnock were playing very deep at this point, playing for the replay, so there was very little space. Some good deliveries from corners -- from Forrester -- provided the only tangible threats, with Wilson hitting the bar. Rangers were dominant in possession, but a solid defensive approach to the defense and midfield combined with a reluctance to take risks, resulted in few chances created. It was no surprise that Warburton looked to prevent any St Johnstone-style game, but a more aggressive approach may have seen Rangers move into the next round. As it happens, Rangers must prepare for a replay. It may prove useful -- as another test against top-flight opposition in preparation for next year. Those lingering doubts about Rangers and top-flight opposition may still remain, but the way the game went, the replay should hold no fear.