Dave M609

Might be better to ask once the transfer window is closed, I always said we would be a strong second this year and still be in touching distance by the time the split comes around However im going to put my neck on the line and go with my heart and say we will win the league, I am pleased with the business we have done so far but as mentioned above we need a little something extra up front. I don't think we will lose a lot of goals this year, I think the spine of the team particularly defense and midfield is strong and imposing, keeping Alves fit will be critical. But with the money we have spent on the squad I see no reason why we can't win it. I think celtic will get punted in to the Europa League as well and I think that will have a beneficial effect for our campaign if we get up a head of steam early, good results early on are vital celtic will be playing every Thursday and their games will be moved to a Sunday so we need to take advantage of games in hand, put lots of pressure on them. I think there is a lot of hype in the media around Aberdeen and Hibs. Aberdeen are definitely weaker hibs are an unknown quantity in this league but they will probably finish mid table. The same with celtic, they were great last year, great achievement going a whole season unbeaten, winning a treble, however there was no real proper challenge in the league, they won't go this year unbeaten, the MSM are doing there best to hype them up again this year. I hope Brenda suffer his normal second season syndrome and tbh he has a checkered track record of signing players, they are either really good or really shite. Hopefully they have a bad window transfer wise and a couple of injuries, we are going to need a bit of luck. #55

yeah im the same can't get it to play on my pc through acast and it still isn't on my iphone yet.

Mentioned it on the Marseille thread, im convinced its an asymmetrical 442 with Jack sitting as the defensive midfielder left center, Dorrans as the Central midfielder right center and kranjcar as an advanced midfielder left center, while Candias is a traditional right midfielder / right winger, big Herrera as a target man while miller is playing an inside forwards role, he drops wide left when we are defending so that him and candias are the out balls, but when the transition changes he is expected to get in centrally to offer support to Herrera and Wallace is then left with space to overlap. I tried to put a pic on the other day but couldn't get it uploaded

Honestly Twitter has been gold today, it's absolutely priceless. The last couple of weeks has been mental, I was worried it was going to take us years to catch up with Celtic, I think if everything had happened the other way round we would have been so far out of sight, however they seem to be eating themselves alive from within, I couldn't believe some of them wanted Rodgers gone for the statement he made the other day, they are so desperate to take on the sfa spfl and everyone else I think they have taken their eye off the ball. Mind you its not just them, after all of this its become very apparent, how disliked we are by most clubs.

Not sure if that will work but that's the kind of formation I was talking about

It was a great game to watch, good football on display, Rangers gave a good account of themselves. I know it's only a friendly but we seem to be starting to go up the gears, the only thing that's a bit concerning still is the final third but that again may click in the next couple of games. Was interesting the way the team was set up, I thought it looked like (excuse the hipster tactics) an asymmetrical 4-4-2 with all the width coming from the right hand side, I thought it was very effective and Candias and Tavernier down the right side combined very well and were a constant threat, it also meant when the play was switched Wallace and Miller had a fair bit of space to operate in. Going though the team I thought Fod played well, a good few saves, handled himself very well. The defence with Alves and Cardoso in the middle look great, the big man absolutely strolled it looked calm composed and assured, think the two of them will make a great partnership. Danny Wilson done ok when he came on, he is never going to be a starter for me though, good to have as a back up, he allowed the striker to much space and he was able get on the wrong side of him for the goal. The fullbacks done well getting up and down, need to work on crossing the ball, some of them were woeful, as I said I thought the tactics helped the fullbacks, Wallace always had a decent amount of space and Tavernier and Candias done well down the right. I thought Tavernier should have closed Payet down a lot quicker before the goal, but again its pre season, he done really well apart from that. The midfield were great, looked solid, Jack plays the anchor role really well, and I thought with Bruno behind him he looked a lot more confident, Dorrans is a great buy, marshaled the midfield, got beyond the strikers a couple of times as well, Nico was in the advanced role but more on the left side, but more centralized, again I thought the tactics created more space down the left side and I think this is a system nico could really benefit from, not to mention his free kick, what an absolute belter. Wee Candias down the right looked a constant threat as well and was definitely up there for man of the match, some great crosses as well, I wasn't expecting much from him this year but on that showing he could be really useful. As for the strikers, I like the look of big Herrera, he constantly pressed their back line, big physical striker as well, I think he will score a few this year, looks like he is going to be the target man this year. Miller was playing a bit deeper just off him but again to the left, I think Miller has been a great servant to the club but I think the reason he is getting frustrated is maybe because he doesn't fit in to this system, as mentioned on a couple of threads, if Naismith or Walker were occupying that position I think we would be a different proposition going forward, it was demonstrated in the first half by some excellent play out our own box, I think it was Cardoso, Jack, Kranjcar and Wallace, I might be mistaken about the personnel but the quick passing and transition in to attack was great until Wallace passed to miller and he didn't know what to do with it, then ended up losing position and the move broke down. As for the subs, Wilson, for me, needs to up his game a bit, concentrate more on what is going on round about him. The rest Dalcio, Windass, Holt and Pena, never made to much of a contribution, I would like to see more of Pena, would be harsh to criticize him just now, I can't remember Windass or Holt doing much, Dalcio just looks like he is trying to hard just now, im not convinced, I think he was brought in to cover a lot of positions, will give him a couple of months and see how he settles. Im glad for PC, Saturday gave him an opportunity to show everyone that he is making progress with this side and has made the support a wee bit more positive. On the transfer front, two Scottish Rangers fans, im hoping Walker and Naismith, I think both would give us something extra in the final third, Would be nice to get Jaime Murphy, but I don't think we would be able to afford what Brighton are looking for and I would leave McLean till January to f*ck up the sheep. If it was Walker and Naismith occupying Miller and Kranjcar's roles I think that would be really exciting, I'm not advocating binning Kranjcar btw, he is my favorite player but he has been injury prone throughout his career and it would be good to have a different option in there.

how could I forget, but you know orange tops and all that

Started reading it and quickly stopped, we as a support do have our flaws, but so do many others. I would say the club and the support have been proactive in dealing with any 'unsavory' behavior or songs, but they have been few and far between, maybe TBB a couple of times at Old Firm games when tensions are running high but nothing like the absolute disgusting banners displayed across the city the other week, that's not just a one off incident from they lot so lets just leave it there.

I have a feeling he was always going to leave in this window, his choice of words are a bit bizarre though. Great first touch, ability wise probably the best at the club, however the application was sadly lacking Heart the size of a budgie's boaby as well, not interested when the chips are down and you need to get stuck in

They just spent 14 million on Assombalonga and picked up McKay for a song (granted he was in the last year of his contract), they are not strapped for cash, I would say we should be asking for 4-5 Million minimum, he is a great shot stopper and I would rather we kept him tbh, think he would do well with a more solid defense in front of him. Down there is a different ball game, 4-5 million is nothing to these teams, Everton spent 25 million on a goalkeeper that stated about the English lower leagues till last year and got relegated with Sunderland last year

I think he is miles ahead of what we have just now, even at his age. It would be unfair to compare any of the younger strikers to him like Morelos, Hardie or Dodoo, but as far as the experienced forward players he is miles ahead of Miller, Waghorn, MOH and Forrester without seeing much of Herrera he is probably better than him as well going on transfer history, even from a attacking midfieldrs role he offers more than Windass and probably Kranjcar as well. One thing you notice about him when watching some of his goals is that he gets in to great positions and makes intelligent runs from deep, something I think we could do with, I will be honest, I think he would run amok up here. He is a player I really liked the last time he was here, would fight for everything, I know a lot of folk still have issues with that interview, I think that needs to be put to one side, it was a bad time in our history and he needs to have the chance to redeem himself

Agreed Darther, he has been a great servant to the club, but that type of attitude, particularly when guys are trying to find their feet is no use, he needs to channel it and try and give these guys encouragement, not be a negative influence, I think he deserved a one year extension, though even from the end of last year I said I wouldn't start him this year, he would be a good experienced pro to have around the squad, Morelos and Herrera should be given time to form a partnership.

I want Pedro to do well, I hope he can succeed. But I'm not blind to the problems we are experiencing at the moment, the European results were a disaster, even without our top signings we should be putting 5 or 6 past teams like that with players we had at our disposal, this will be a black mark on Pedro's time with us along with the Old Firm result at Ibrox, I think sacking him before the season has started would be completely stupid, we have given him so much money to build a team, it would be daft to just get rid of him, his job should be under review in January, who would be the replacement, please no Mcleish, McInnes or Wright. If there is anyone within the dressing room causing disruption and undermining the manager then get them to fuck as soon as possible, I don't care who they are, none of them are that good that they would be missed if we got shot of them, particularly if its anyone from the Warburton era. I can ignore the pre-season results, its all about fitness and getting familiar with each other and building up to the first game of the season, yesterday was Pena and Dorrans first game as far as im aware. By all, accounts it sounds like we were all over them and changes disrupted the team, but that's to be expected, a bit of perspective is needed though, it was a bounce game, not even a friendly, it was a training exercise to get the guys fit, It will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday in front of a home crowd, the team have something to prove. The one thing that's worrying me is the lack of goals, but again that may come in time as they get more familiar with each other and know where one another is going to be, the midfielders need to chip in as well by going beyond the forwards, but again that may come in time once everyone is familiar with everyone, we have had a massive revamp in terms of personnel, I'm willing to give him and the team time but they need to start to show improvement with every game. Going forward I think a good show against Marseille and Sheffield Wednesday are a must, show the fans that the players are starting to be a cohesive unit Goals are a must, who know maybe after Morelos and Herrera get their first one they might start banging them in, you know what its like with strikers, the longer they go without a goal the more of a weight on their shoulders it becomes. Anyone causing disruption in the dressing room should be out the door, even if its Miller Wallace or Kranjcar, I'm not sure how true all these rumors are but that can't be tolerated. I think the addition of Walker and Naismith would be welcome, would make us more dynamic going forward and they are two very good players, I know everyone says Naismith isn't the same player, but the league isn't the same either, the standard has dropped dramatically since he left. After the money we have spent and having a full team of Pedro's players at the start of the season I would expect 15 to 18 points from the first 6 games, we can't be beaten at home either, Ibrox needs to become a fortress again I want us to give hibs and hearts a absolute skelping at home in the second and third games, we need to show that we are serious about challenging for the league. Pedro's job should be under review in January, like any employee from any walk of life he should have a mid term review to see if he has met his objectives, review where we are in the league and as a team, if his position is untenable by then, he will have to go, but he needs a fair crack at the whip with his team.

Its difficult to say if he would be worth the gamble, 12 goals last season, that can be invaluable from a player, I would leave the 800k on the table if that's what we offered, don't go any higher, I see they are in the papers saying how good he is trying to generate interest to drive up the price, if there is only one place he wants to go then it will be difficult for them. The thing that is worrying is our complete ineptitude in front of goal, the bounce game is still 0-0 at HT and by the sounds of it, rangers have been average with a strong team, I'm hoping that its just a case of building the players up in time for the start of the season but I would prefer a striking option to be priority

Yeah I would leave it at that, that's enough for a player you can get for nothing in January, as JFK has said, the player can now force Hearts by putting in a transfer request and they will probably sell, either that or they are going to be paying for a guy for a whole season that doesn't want to be there and they have a stand to pay for

442 Diamond, that's the team I suggested in one of the other threads with the exception of Wilson for Alves, big Pedro must be paying attention

Anyone heard anything about outgoing players, I thought Kiernan, Forrester, Waghorn, Hodson and MOH might have been out the door already

If we are going for walker I would say 750k Max, if it is rejected move on and sign him in January for nothing. the problem with McKay is he flattered to deceive to often, he had good games but when our backs were to the wall he was worse than useless, I also get the feeling he had made his mind up when Pedro came in that he was going to leave this summer, maybe Warburton or Weir had a word in his ear when they go the Forrest job, who knows. I can't believe that a lot of folk think McKay is far superior to Walker though, I think Walker offers more than McKay, can play in more positions, as well as a winger can play as an advanced midfielder, or as a striker, scored more than double the goals McKay got last year, I think McKay got one more assist but as Ullieam has said above he is desperate to play for Rangers and is a Rangers fan and we are desperately lacking wide options at the minute.

I hope they don't, but I know where you are coming from, he needs to really hit the ground running, everyone will be up to speed by then and they will all be familiar with each other, the thing that worries me is goals, we really need a prolific striker, unless everyone is going to contribute. Would be great to get both, Walker has been a consistent performer at this level for a couple of years now and would chip in with a few goals and assists, Naismith, although not what he was when he left now has a wealth of premiership experience, mind you the league is not the same as when he left either, he would be a welcome addition.

Yeah me to, im hoping with a couple weeks training behind him big Herrera will come good, a partnership between him and Morelos might work out, although I fear that is more in hope

I like Pedro to, but as many have said goodwill is evaporating pretty quickly, he really needs to start the new campaign in blistering fashion, he needs to get these guys up to speed quickly so that they are a cohesive unit. 9 points from the first three games is a must, and with the squad we have, definitely not unachievable, it depends how he sets out his team, I would expect us to be within 3 points of Celtic come the first old firm game. I would imagine his job will be under review again in December, I think he needs to be given till at least then to prove that he can get his team playing, the thing that worries me a bit is that it seems in pedros previous jobs he has built his teams to soak up pressure and then hit teams on quick counter attacks, which isn't going to work for us, will be interesting to see if he can change it up a bit.

I agree with Rosseau, I think to get our best players on the park we need to go narrow, either 4222 or a 442 diamond, I would prefer to go with the diamond, it gives you a bit more cover in midfield and a bit more of an attacking presence up front, the problem is pedro is all about quick phases of play but we have quite a slow team bar maybe miller and candias, possibly dalcio. There is no point in going 433 or 4231 when our inside forwards aren't as good as our central midfielders, he is going to need to adapt his tactics to suit. I would go Foderingham Tavenier Alves Cardoso Wallace Jack Pena Dorrans Kranjcar Herrera Miller Hopefully Rossiter, Morelos, Dalcio and Candias can push for a starting spot but that's the team I would be going with just now

I think we already have a maverick in Kranjcar, he can definetly win a game on his own, should we get Dorrans and Walker I think we would be pretty much set. A lot of people were quick to criticize Dalcio but he is a young guy, I think he will come good as the season goes on, we need to give them all time to gel as well. If we could get a few names off the wage bill Kiernan, Forrester, Crooks, McKay, O'Halloran and Waghorn get some money generated from these transfers and reinvest in a goal scorer I would be quite happy, we could be quite lucky and Morelos could hit the ground running, however it would be good to get someone a wee bit more experienced and maybe mobile, it looks like big Herrera is going to be a big battering ram. Its difficult to say who we could get or who we could afford, before the season finished I never seen us making the signings we have made, I know there was a lot of banter about Remy, but someone of that ilk would be good to get, we would probably have to wait till the last day of the transfer window to get someone like that though if they are not getting game time and their options are limited, will be interesting.

The league will be closer this year, I think we will improve dramatically, celtic won't have an unbeaten season again, they will drop points. I think still being able to win the league by the time the split comes around A decent showing in Europe one or two cups would be a good season, realistically, spending the money that we are spending just now we maybe do have a shot at the league, just depends how the new players adapt to the league and gel.

Happy with the draw, we could have got a lot worse, confident of getting through to round 3 at least and we can take it from there. At least we will be just about fully up to speed by the time it comes round