Gaffer

Your opinion about us being owed a decent service from the BBC is spot on, but I just can't even face listening to that channel. Even if it was the only means of following the game live, I still wouldn't do it because I get so annoyed. Thankfully it's not the only way, and we've even got Craig on here who is doing an update service for the Gersneters..

I don't think there will be a transfer budget as such. Most clubs operate with a player budget, which can be spent on transfer fees, agents fees, and salaries. If we'd consider that Alves was taking home 40k per week, it seems we've just been able to reallocate another 2m which would otherwise have been spent on him. Getting players out on loan (like Pena) can also have a positive effect (although not quite as positive as selling him) by up to 1m this season. Having said that, I still can't see that we can afford to be spending the sort of money that Millwall seem to want for him. He's a huge prospect, but that comes at a price, and we cant challenge the money they could receive from other English clubs, never mind what the player himself make could earn elsewhere. I can only assume that we believe this player really wants to come to us, otherwise we wouldn't be wasting our time. If it happens, it's an amazing coup for the football management team. If it doesn't, I'm still delighted we are trying to sign players like this.

I've had info from some Millwall fans that say he's a 10m+ rated player by them and their club, which is why I don't think we can afford him. I've not seen him, but one of the guys who told me this is a former international defender himself and thinks he's got everything. We must think we have a chance though, but I can't work out why. Does he have a short term left on his contract? I don't know. Millwall will have to be seen to drive a hard bargain though, because if they let him go on the cheap, their fans will be furious. As Frankie said, Gerrard must be keen on deploying three centre backs in many games if he's willing to spend the bulk of his transfer budget on him. That makes sense I suppose against most of the SPL teams. I am sure most of us are delighted that we are treating the defence so seriously this window. It's had very little attention previously in my opinion, and yet most of us who were around in the Souness days appreciate just what a difference it made to get that right first of all. He rightly said, if we don't lose goals, we don't lose games. How true!

He obviously spent the transfer budget in the way he thought would bring him success. He did his best, or do you know something we don't? And as for spending all that money on someone he knew had alcohol problems, isn't that what Smith did with Gazza? It worked out for Smith. I wish it had worked for Pedro too, but it didn't unfortunately. I am happy to disagree though. It's about opinions afterall.

Bill / D'Artagnan: please replace 'player' with 'manager'. My point is still the same. You can be a smart ass all you want, but calling a Rangers player/manager a prat is bad form in my opinion, especially when they did their best for the club. Their best just wasn't good enough. You may think it's acceptable, I don't. That's all.

He was a rangers player that appeared to do his best (which wasn't good enough). I think he deserves to be thanked and wished well rather than calling him a prat. Don't you?

Griezman definitely dived for the free kick. He had decided to go down and did that cute thing where they move their ankle against the defender's leg so it looks like contact was made - pathetic cheating! As for the other incident, in my opinion it was a penalty. For me there was a clear deliberate act by Perisic to move his hand down to block the ball. That's the value of VAR, because those acts go on all the time but are hard to spot. VAR has been brilliant, but I'd also like it to be used more widely. It takes about 40 seconds to organise and take a free kick. It takes about 30 seconds to make a VAR decision. That free kick could have been given, and while they're setting up, the video referee could have been checking it. When he realises it's cheating, the ref can give the free kick the other way and book Griezman. That's hopefully the next step towards rescuing our game from these morons that's are ruining the image.

I would never boo or jeer a Rangers player, and I just can't understand why anyone else would think that's acceptable for a 'supporter'. I am no great fan of Windass (as you know), but he does clearly have some obvious talent. Suggesting otherwise is mindless. Gerrard got to see the players in action during their training sessions and I'm sure he saw Windass' qualities and felt they deserved an opportunity. Im sure each of the previous managers saw those same qualities and hence why he was selected for the teams then too. He is quick, skilful and can score. That set of attributes would catch any coach's eye. However, what Windass lacks can only be experienced in high pressure matches. Gerrard will have to give many players the chance to demonstrate their ability (or otherwise) to wear the weight of the Rangers jersey and he can then do his weeding after that. The difference last season was that we didn't have enough alternative options, so Windass retained his spot in the team. This season we have a manager who appears willing to change his system, and many other players who can play in those attacking roles. I'm hoping that gives Windass the incentive (and support) to improve his effectiveness in games, because I'd like to see any Rangers player turn things around. If he can't though, he'll be away. Let us trust our manager to do his job, and in the meantime let us do our job in supporting the team. We have too many detractors outside the club without helping them by booing/jeering our own players. I can think of few things more embarrassing for a support to do. If he plays on Tuesday and beyond I'd like to think the real,supporters will get right behind him. Anyone in a Rangers jersey deserves that.

Thanks Rousseau. Really enjoyed that, and I know it takes a lot of effort all the way through, so well done to you. And well done the top 3, especially Craig. It was a bizarre (but brilliant) World Cup so it was even more of an achievement to get some of those results correct.

Don't worry Bill, they've got Pete in there to make sure it'll never be slick and professional. ? You're right though, that it's all about the entertainment and I've felt every podcast has provided that. As I mentioned earlier, this podcast is special because it's founded on a great forum and because of that I feel like I know the characters. I like to hear the voices of people I've become familiar with on here. I'd love to hear SBS on it at some stage. I wonder if he'd sound as miserable (or pragmatic as he would call it) as he comes across on the forums. Everyone has a character and it adds to the fun. The forum can be serious sometimes but most of the time it's just good fun and informative, and that's what the podcasts reflect. If it's educational too, that's just a bonus.

I'm so pleased the season is back in full swing. I miss the football chat, the debates, the arguments, the tactics, the banter, the opinions, the facts. BRILLIANT!!!! And of course, don't forget the gifs. Where would we be without them. We are now at 35 pages just 24 hours after our first game of the season. What we've concluded in this thread is that Windass should be sold for 60k, or he should be the focal point of our attack. We've also concluded that the team is looking really good, or they're useless and we are just as bad as last season. We've concluded that right wingers should track back to cover the left winger, either that or he's only there to track back to cover the left back. We've concluded that Rousseau's love for Windass is unmatched, or it's actually surpassed by Craig's love for KT. So, all in all we've agreed on nothing. What I'm sure we all can agree on is that our opinions on Rangers are varied and in some cases we have completely opposite views after watching the same match. But that's what makes this forum so enjoyable. Anyway, that's enough of a time out, now let's get back to business .... How much should we sell Windass for? Who should track back? Can Middleton displace someone for a starting slot? Who is our best holding midfielder? Who is prettier, Kevin Thomson or Josh Windass? Ding ding. Round 2.

That's because you were also miserable and pessimistic yesterday, and the day before. I expect you'll have de ja vu tomorrow too. ?

I suspect the DR realises that there's a growing acceptance that he will have to resign, and this is their attempt to save face after their previous 'defence' of him. He will go, it's just a matter of when and what reason he gives for it.

I agree with you Pete, although I really hope we are both wrong. Did you hear SG's interview on BT sport when he spoke about McCrorie? The interviewer asked him about the improvements he's had to make since he came into the club. He talked about lots of things he saw and wasn't happy with. One player he made a point of talking about was McCrorie. I'm very slightly paraphrasing here but he said "we came in and saw he was being played at centre back when he's clearly not right for that position. That was a terrible decision and could have destroyed him". Those are strong words, but SG clearly felt angry that the young boy wasn't managed properly. I hope he can help him recover and at 19 you'd like to think that's no problem.

He did play well at times last night and I think that's what's frustrating. I just can't work out why he looks good for 10 minutes and then disappears for 10. I think you're right that we haven't found the right position for him. Having said that, we've tried him in most positions (I think) so I don't know if that'll address the issue. I also accept your point about having someone more creative to support him, and that could work by feeding him the type of balls he needs. The only question I have then is if Windass is good enough to start building a team around. He might be, but that's a massive risk that I wouldn't take. Fortunately that's SG's problem to contend with. I think I've just been hoping that it was an attitude (or laziness) problem he had. In other words, it could be something that could be tackled by bringing in a new manager perhaps. I hoped that was the case because then I could look forward to him contributing in more minutes of the match. It'd be frustrating but at least understandable. The problem is that he's an enigma. I talk to my brother, father, son and pals about him, and none of us know what we'd do with him to benefit from his obvious talents. SG can try, but if it was me I'd be letting him go and putting my energy into other players.

When I read through some of the posts on this thread I'm thinking some people watched a different game. However, we all know how it's very possible to have wildly different opinions in football. What I saw: - This opposition is no Progres - they're much better. However, like Progres, they know how to defend and I thought they played well. They set up to restrict our chances and only aimed to hit us on the break. That didn't work because McCrorie and the centrebacks left them no space to run in to. - We looked solid at the back. For a new partnership, I think Goldson and Katic looked like we could have played all through the night and they still wouldn't have conceded a goal. McGregor has a part to play in that too because you could see him directing all through the game. I liked Wes, but I've got a greater sense of comfort with Allan back. - We miss so many chances. I counted 6 instances where I'd be expecting us to score, and in my opinion 4 of them are sitters. I mentioned earlier that someone like McCoist would be scoring freely in this team. I like Morelos a lot, but whether it's Sadiq or someone else, we need a finisher in the team to kill teams off. - We controlled the game from start to finish. This is where there was a difference from last season. I felt last season we could only control the game if we had the ball, but last night (and against Bury) we controlled it without the ball. I'm quite sure I watched us encourage them to play the ball into the areas we were happy for them to have it in. Only when they played it into other more dangerous areas did we close them down quickly in packs. I've not seen enough of us yet to opine on the effectiveness of this approach, but I suppose two clean sheets and no real chances given away is decent evidence. It'll be interesting to see if this can work just as well away from home because it'll be tested even more when teams are pushing forward. I've no idea how we will be able to channel the opposition's attacks when they've got more options up front. - Up front I'm just not happy and I know this is something that divides the support, but Windass can't continue to be a first choice pick. I'm honestly really trying to warm to him and I'm trying to focus more on the positives he brings (and he does bring a lot), but unless we are counter attacking he does not work well. He is quick and direct, and when we played away from home last season we could use him effectively in a counter attacking situation. He was able to beat the last man with pace and score. However, when we are controlling a game and need to create an opportunity, or finish one off, he's not the right type of player. SG tried him on the wing, but he can't deliver a good cross and he can't beat his man so I don't know where that leaves us. In EVERY game I'm reminded that he's on the pitch when he does something. He's forgettable for the other 30 minutes. Can anyone put their finger on why that is? I don't think he's lazy or incapable. Is it his positioning? I don't know. - Middleton needs plenty of training and guidance to mix his game up a bit, but based on what I've seen (not a lot), this boy is a future star. I don't know how to develop a player like that, but I really hope it involves giving him a start in a few games this season because he's exciting to watch. He'll also be very frustrating if he keeps going the same way each time, but that can be coached and if it is, he could be delivering the spark we need in tight games. Conclusion If we can get a player with a real instinct for finishing, we will do well this season. I don't expect we will lose many goals, but in tough games I don't see us scoring enough either. SG will know this and I'm sure that as well as another CB he will be looking out for a striking option too. We need it.

McCoist would be scoring 5 a game with these chances. Some of them are just not difficult, but our strikers lack composure.

For what it's worth, although I really enjoy H&H, I like this Gersnet one better. I think the reason is that it's like listening to your mates. I think you've got to remember that the association with such a good forum is a massive differentiator. You should take more opportunities to link the podcast discussions to threads and topics on here. It would help develop a stronger link between the two and perhaps will encourage more people to come to the forums.

The ref has told him off for holding a few times. I think he's just lost patience there and awarded the penalty. That'll calm things down now hopefully.

I can only assume that we are expecting to lose DJ then. Otherwise, why would we have 3 players for the one position? Wallace will be gone, and JF has just arrived. I like DJ but maybe SG just doesn't think he is good enough defensively, or we've maybe received interest from another club for him. The only other alternative is that he sees DJ as a winger again. or of course, the story is made up - AGAIN

Belgium 2 - 2 England  France 2 - 0 Croatia

You can tell we're at the business end of the prediction league. I'm trash talking Craig, Gonzo is accusing the governing body (Rousseau) of corruption, Coop is quoting the rule book, and Franc is trying to keep the peace. I love it ??? Its much more fun when there's so much (pride) at stake. Good luck to those at the top. My hopes for England were my undoing in the end, as well as my lack of luck/knowledge (delete as appropriate). ?

When I've ever done things like this in the past for world cups or euro championships, it ends up being my mother or one of the kids winning. In other words, it's normally the ones that know little about football that end up at the top. I suppose it proves it's better to be lucky than knowledgeable. ? Bitter?!? Sore loser?!? Who Me? No. ?

I think you may be missing my point. In this contract, Rangers are committed to providing the details of the offer from JD. They have done. SD are arguing that the level of detail is not sufficient enough for them. Rangers say it's not practical to provide any further details. This is EXACTLY what happens in contractual disputes no matter how 'watertight' they are. In fact, it's been a long time since I ever regarded a contract as being watertight. It may protect Rangers from the wrong outcome, but it doesn't stop SD from delaying us for a few days. When I say that the judge needs to see through this, I mean I hope he realises that SD don't really believe there is a breach of contract, and that their only reason for doing this is to attempt to cause a costly delay in the hope that we pay them something. It's an abuse of the interim interdict process but unfortunately it's common.

France looked pretty solid against an excellent Belgian front line. Mbappe will no doubt become the best player in the world. What a treat to watch two players like Hazard and Mbappe on the same pitch. Class!