Gaffer

I think this is a really good summary and although I was surprised at us using Close, it makes sense if it is a straight forward overdraft facility. However, for £3m surely we could have secured it against Windass instead

A deal with Close Brothers suggests there is a bigger deal in the pipeline. This is not their normal business so I'm intrigued. If this was a simple facility we needed, why not just ask a high street lender? We have sufficient turnover and assets to secure significant borrowing, or even an overdraft facility. Close is only interested in this if there is something bigger in the near future, and there's only a win in this for us if that's the case too, otherwise Close is an expensive option.

There is no questions we have a better first eleven, and a better squad. It's therefore no surprise that we are scoring more. However, we are not playing with any identifiable or repeatable style. I never know which Rangers team is going to show up and that's a concern. Under MW we knew how we would play and that was somehow predictable for the opposition yet strangely comforting since we could be consistent. Under PC we knew we'd be playing a very direct style but equally knew we'd be likely to concede goals due to poor defensive organisation. It's perhaps too early for Murty but I can't see what our style of play is. I couldn't even describe what our style is based on. It seems to haphazard which suggests a lack of clarity in the players' understanding. So, in answer to the question, we are improving for some people that will base it on more goals, or more points, but for us to win the league we really need to be able to turn up most (if not every) weeks and dominate, and have teams know that they are for a tough game against a domineering team. We don't do that as far I can see. As you know, I am one of the most optimistic members of the forum, but I can't see how we can win the league without a clear direction and then commitment to a particular style of play. I'd really like someone (preferably the manager or DoF) to help define what it is. Then we can watch for progress. What I liked with PC and MW was that they were clear about their styles. The problem was that they just couldn't implement them well enough to win games. MW's was all about retaining the ball, probing for gaps, but being patient. PC's was about taking advantage of our opponents during transitions by being direct with our strikers who anticipated the transition. What is Murty's style? Anyone?

If you stood somewhere on the pitch and did nothing to get in the way, I'd still prefer you to Miller.

I would suggest Frankie, Pete, Rousseau, Craig, Compo, Bill, you, or me before Miller!

I hope he manages to turn it around for them. I hope Pena does well for them, and I hope we get the money for him. I think this hope is perhaps the reason why the gutter press continues with their pursuit of him even now he's gone.

Notwithstanding the point I made about the midfield being the problem, I agree we need to change the midfield or change the system. Since we can't change the players (not until the injury situation improves), we have to adapt to a system that offers more attacking options and better defensive cover. The diamond is proven so I think we might go with that, but I'm really not bothered, as long as we do make a change.

Really good preview as usual! just one thing I wanted to draw out is this point about only one player up front. Just because it's a 4-2-3-1 doesn't mean that we only have one forward. In this formation, we have at least 3 forwards, if not 4. I've opined before that our problem is not the number of forwards, it's the speed and accuracy of our play in midfield that's the problem. We either take too long to move the ball when switching play, or we do it too quickly (I.e. Our players don't have the technique/habits to get it done properly and quickly) and give the ball away in dangerous areas when's we're overexposed (mainly because we are overloading the wings). Goss can do it well, but few others can get the ball switched. A switch needs to be done within 5 seconds because that's the length of time it takes for a professional player to cover the 30-40 yards he needs to get back into position when the ball is moved to the opposite side of the park. It's been shown that a switch inside 4 seconds can create a golden chance. I've looked at our switch of play and it often takes 6-7 seconds. This is almost useless because it serves only to retain the ball and can't create a chance if the opposition works reasonably hard to close down. Equally, it introduces more opportunities for our midfield to make a mistake and hence creates a chance for our opponents. This is why we lose goals, and in fact you'll see the majority of our goals are lost from this phase of play. During a switch of play, both teams are 'out of position', but the team with the ball has the advantage of course. Murty needs to get the three central midfielders (the two centre mids and the attacking mid) to move the ball quickly and accurately out to the wing, but he has different problems to solve depending on who it is. Windass receives the ball during a switch of play and has not moved early enough to create the space to play the ball quickly, so he then has to hold off the opponent for a step or two before he can release the pass. Around 3-4 seconds are wasted. Holt gathers the ball and his first touch moves it away from the opponent so he is doing well at creating the space, but he then takes more touches before looking up to find his pass. Again, these seconds are being wasted. Goss is excellent at creating the space for himself and playing an almost instant pass, however his positioning (which I think is intentional) means he is required to play a long diagonal ball directly out to Candeias or Murphy. Teams like Hibs are drilled well in this tactic because you can see their fullbacks sprint towards our wingers as soon as the ball goes anywhere near Goss. They know that if they cut off that pass, he isn't as effective. If the other midfielders can contribute to the threat, it means their defence has more doubt about what threat to cover. Jack, McCrorie and Dorrans all move the ball quickly and we need them back fit asap. Until they do, we need to address the habits of the current players or we will struggle every time we play a Hibs or Celtic (who can take advantage of errors in the midfield), or against a lower team which is even reasonably well organised in defence.

I can't even beIieve we are having a debate about this. I'm not Windass' biggest fan. He disappears for at least 30 minutes in every game, however the 60 minutes he plays is still more productive than Miller could ever be. Miller is a hard working player and a I wish Windass had his level of desire and effort, but beyond that, Miller offers nothing - at least nothing I can see. If Miller comes back into the team, I'll drive TB to see his psychologist and we can attend those sessions together, because I'll have my head in my hands until the end of the season when he is put out to pasture (surely!).

Docherty is the sort of player that can play in any central role. He has pace, power, technique and an eye for goal.

Thanks for this. I didn't know I could do that. I'm like TB in that I don't think this is a prudent use of Club 1872 funds and I'm really disappointed that any money is being spent on this. I'm in favour of a standing section, but not at the expense of safeguarding the club by buying shares. I always thought this was the priority. If special interest groups want to raise funding for a standing section, or the club choses to pay for it, then fair enough. In my opinion though, this is not something that Club 1872 should be distracted with.

I try to pretend that these guys (McCoist, Ferguson, Boyd) don't matter any more, and that their opinions don't affect me, but they have. McCoist was a hero of mine when I was younger and I'm very bitterly disappointed in them (and others) in the way they seem to be benefiting (and taking enjoyment) from the negative stories about our club. If there was good reason for them to take an opposing position, I could at least understand it, but there isn't. This latest story about Morelos is incredible. Is it so wrong for us to have received a bid that it requires so much investigation from the BBC, and comment from previous club captains? I've been saying for a while that some of our club's legends (obviously Boyd isn't in that bracket, but the other two are) are in danger of losing all credibility and respect. Well, they now have!!! I have had enough of them and wish never to see them at our club ever again. I hope they're nowhere to be seen when we get 55 as they've proven that they're just lazy detractors who will say and do anything for the money these days. They continue to damage the club for their own benefit. There isn't a single true bear that I know of that would do that. So, please no one ever refer to them again as Rangers men, or legends, or idols, or heroes. They're not! They're just money grabbing, attention seeking, parasites!!! #GTF

I agree with your point, providing the younger players are good enough. I think we have some (3-4) players who are good enough to step up, but not many others will make it. Until we get a better quality in the youth team, we need to keep strength in depth within the squad.

I agree with you TB about the concern against the more defensive teams. In open play against Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts, I really fancy us to do well. It's against the others where we struggle. This needs to be the focus of our training and tactics because it is these games that will define our league position. With Murphy and Candeias/Tav, we have players who can beat a player and get the ball in the box, but they can only do,this if they're given some space. Against some of the teams near the bottom, we don't get this so we have to create it by switching the play quickly. Switching of play is the secret to success in the 4-2-3-1 because the overloading takes place on the wings. If one wing fails to be overloaded quickly enough, the ball needs to be switched. Too many of our players run with the ball rather than play it quickly. I really like Holt, but his first instinct seems to be to take a touch in the direction he plans to run with the ball, even if it's just two or three strides. He's not the only one. Even taking two or three strides takes valuable seconds and ruins the effectiveness of the switching of play. Goss takes the ball with one foot and plays a direct pass with the other. This is a critical skill we need to develop in our own players if we are to make this style work. It's not actually that hard, but it does mean undoing bad habits that some players have developed. The good news is that the spacing and movement of our players is much better now so we can at least make the switch. We now need to execute it better. Although Hibs will come at us this weekend, they are also one of the best teams at closing down space, so this will be a real test. As well as enjoying the game (hopefully), I'll be looking out for how well we move the ball from side to side in an effort to open them up. The better we do this, the better chances we will create.

I'd like him to get a new deal, but shorter one than others have been offered. I think 2 years will be enough to see if he can develop the distribution side of his game because that is really important To the way we play. If he isn't happy with two years, I'd then say we have to just allow him to go. I really like him though and I'd really hope he could prove quickly that he can develop his game, and if he did we could then further extend his contract early.

That's a real pity. I really hoped we'd land this boy, but I suppose we can't compete with the salary he'll get down there.

The boys are obviously playing well at the moment and full of confidence. Are we the European champions yet,or do we need to beat the Manchester teams and PSG before claiming that title? Playing these games was a super idea by the coaching staff. The boys must have had a massive confidence boost through these games.

I don't get too bothered with anything to do with the national team these days, but to me their option of moving it to Murrayfield seems sensible. It removes any perceived bias towards Rangers and Celtic, and gives them a huge potential revenue, given the size of that stadium. It's certainly a better option than Hampden, which is so outdated. It has the added bonus of making my future trips to cup finals much quicker. The huge mistake they made was when they decided to spend all of that money on Hampden. It was a complete waste of resources at a time when they had better options.

I burst out laughing at Edgar's statement to Celtic supporters about their obsession with us (around the 33 minute mark). It's so funny, but so true.

Or bring in Tyler Roberts on loan before signing him permanently in the summer. I can't see us looking to bring in a permanent replacement in this window, and that's even if this rumour is true. I hope it is though because it'll be a boost that for once we have players sought after elsewhere.

I can't imagine we'd get much, if any, of a fee for him. He only had 4 months left, and is clearly not going to be a first team regular. I hope we start to become better however at either securing our players on contracts, or selling them while they can still fetch something. We seem to have allowed him to slip away and that's disappointing. I'd expect that to be Mark Allen's responsibility from now on, so hopefully he can prevent something similar happening in future.

Maybe he cares as much (or as little) about the Scottish national team as I do. Maybe he values himself higher than we do, and is going somewhere he is valued to that level. Maybe he loves the game, but just wants to play it in warmer weather. Maybe he thinks that going to the US is a better move for his family. Regardless of his reasons, we can't assume it means a lack or loss of anything. He obviously sees something better elsewhere and like most people he's going for it. Good luck to him.

A few people have claimed that it was to speak with the BBC but I don't think he'd come just for that, surely?!? I expect there's plenty to be done and discussed regarding the forthcoming share issue. Or maybe he had his own personal business to deal with. Like you though, I'd love to know what else is going on though.

That's correct, but our lazy journos will never let the facts stand in the way of a negative story against our club.

Their position was that it is up to the police to deal with crimes, and nothing that happened was a breach of their rules. I agree it was complete nonsense by the governing body, but they've now created this precedent.