DMAA

Erzurumspor are believed to have accepted a bid in the region of £1m to take Rangers misfit Carlos Pena...

I didn’t ignore it though Craig. We’ve discussed the caveats a number of times so I said despite those I would still probably have agreed with the criticism of his league record to the 31st.

This has been often repeated but it’s not true, Celtic performing far worse is the only difference. We’ve dropped 4 points to a much less competitive Hibs side who’s squad was decimated at the end of last season. We’ve dropped 5 to a clearly weakened Aberdeen. 2 to a much weakened Motherwell. 2 to a much weaker Dundee. In the 9 games we’ve dropped points the only teams which are stronger are Kilmarnock (who were also very strong last year) and Livi (who are better than the team they replaced).

At 12k a week I’m a convert on Davis. I wasn’t as sure as others but at that cost I can get excited about what he should bring. We've struggled when we have all the possession this season and Davis played alongside Jack should bring much more passing ability to our midfield which I think has been terribly lacking for most of the season. That would leave only one naturally defensive player in our midfield which is what it should be in the vast majority of our games. The technical ability in the team isn’t as high as it should be and I can get excited about a player with more creativity and more precision in his passing playing in that deeper role.

You don’t have to look past the preference to refer to Celtic as “The Champions” by most in the BBC. It’s fair enough sometimes but there’s obviously something wrong when it’s practically the default. I didn't hear Tom English talking about our domestic record but despite the caveats I’d probably have agreed with him. Gerard’s record pre-old firm was the exact record that got Warburton sacked, and 1 point off Caixinha/Murty’s record by end of year old firm match. Hopefully we’ve turned the corner now.

At 60k a week it’s his only option. Even assuming we manage to pay as much as 20k, he’d be sacrificing about £640k. There aren’t many people who wouldn’t just sit around for a few months for that kind of money.

Maybe we should have an open thread for discussing some players. He lacks the technical ability I like in a winger, and which is very important in a 4-3-3. He has a very traditional winger skillset imo.

The team should watch Germany’s dismantling of Brazil in the World Cup a few times. Almost all of their goals were tap-ins, a joy to watch the game made to look so simple.

Agreed. It’s an open goal for Arfield if squared.

Well, up until now he hasn’t been that effective. He’s been all about directness, pace and dribbling. His passing, crossing and shooting (i.e end product) has left a lot to be desired, evidenced by the fact that despite playing the equivalent of 3 games more than Middleton (an apparently “very raw” youngster) he has the same number of goals and assists in the league. Even on Saturday despite playing really well you saw that side of his game when he missed a one on one which should have been a goal.

The contract was purely to ensure they got a proper fee for him. But he’s a £2m player max in my opinion. A lot of money for us but add ons could be a route to take the up-front fee down somewhat. Saturday was his best performance yet and although he’s an excellent dribbler he needs to produce end product consistently to convince me he’s league winning quality.

Fixed that for you

Yeh it was the definition of “a 6 pointer” and what a way to go into the winter break. @Bill has a point in that we haven’t been good enough in the league so far but the main thing tonight is that we’ve finally been given real hope that a turnaround could be possible.

I’m delighted for Ryan Jack today. He’s had a hard time from the fans since the Aberdeen game but I’ve felt he has been unfairly criticised and to get the winning goal in our first win over them in 12 games and with a performance to match could be a definitive moment in his Rangers career.

Yes, with an attacking midfielder playing the attacking midfield position. Arfield was immense and is a huge player for us. Not to mention the return of Kent, another attacking player. All about the players available and as soon as I saw the starting lineup my spirits lifted. What a performance.

The same team who faced Hibs will really struggle. That midfield is devoid of creativity and very poor in possession. Our best chances on Wednesday came from Middleton’s pace. Jack is the one midfielder who has the ability to create something and play him in. Poor Morelos could be in for another very frustrating Old Firm, double marked with no strike partner and unsupported from midfield. As @Gonzo79 said, prove me wrong Rangers.

? I didn’t know that. But whatever the formation, that style of play executed well will unite any fans

Can’t comment because I haven’t seen him play. Worth noting it’s a big step up but if he appears to have the attributes required it doesn’t seem a big gamble.

Agreed. Losing the late goal to Hibs wasn’t a coincidence or just bad luck. It’s the 4th time we’ve conceded late on at a stage in the game when we’re hanging on and started to give the ball back to the opposition rather than trying to hold onto it. I’m conscious we pulled it off a few times, Ufa one example, but there was a reason we all saw that equaliser coming even though they’d created next to nothing the whole game.

We should be trying to copy everything the Red Bull clubs have done in terms of overall club management. From top to bottom they look like fantastic football clubs now.

Just to add, my interpretation of 4-4-2 is not old fashioned long ball football. It certainly helps if we’re going to do that anyway as we have done often this season, but in my opinion 4-4-2 doesn’t at all mean abandoning a modern approach to attack.

This is exactly my point! We are asking Mackeleles to be Lampards rather than adapting to the selection crisis and that’s why our attacks keep breaking down. Re your 4-4-2 q, not at all. As I said in another post I’m advocating 4-4-2 with the available players. I’ve also advocated using it when 4-5-1 fails, aka plan b. I’m all for buying the flair players necessary to make 4-5-1/4-3-3 work but as I said at the close of the last transfer window, attacking midfield is the one area Celtic are far superior to us.

I agree with most of that. I’m not saying we should play 4-4-2 all season necessarily, it’s just about looking at the players available and adapting. I don’t think Gerrard can blame his players for Wednesday, he was asking players to play a role they had no business playing.

A very detailed recent article on Andrew Gutman who we’ve apparently offered a deal to. In short, an attack minded left back who is rated as 2nd best in college football and trains with Chicago Fire and has the option to sign for them. I like the sound of him but there’s no question Rangers is a big step up from the level he’s played at. https://www.thehoosiernetwork.com/2018/09/13/andrew-gutman-the-journey-indiana-mens-soccer/

I expect Gerrard to set us up to attack a team like Hibs rather than fearing we need to match their numbers in centre mid. He needs to be far more bold and far less cautious.