weebluedevil

Okay, best so far is ‘Overall Optimistic’ followed by a couple of ‘Cautiously Optimistics’. I’m going full on ‘Very Optimistic’ and here are 10 reasons why: 1. Haaaagiiiiiii: we have strengthened with Hagi (wasn’t here at the start of last season) Hagi is looking very useful in the middle and around the box and will bag us the additional goals that we struggled to find last season. 2. #20: don’t see us losing Morelos this season - we won’t sell for less that 18million IMO, and nobody is paying us that! If they did, I’m sure we’ve got a great replacement lined up. Alfredo will continue to be prolific and I finally think he’ll lose the petulant behaviour! 3. Tactically, I can see work has been done in the final third with both Kent and Aribo looking more creative in and around the box - Aribo especially. 4. Defense: our FBs are looking good, Borna is already continuing his form and Tav looks like he has a new lease of life - it’s critical he gets back to what he was 2 seasons ago, and I’m confident he will. Goldson and Edmundson are my favored CBs - both have looked very good pre-season. Just hope George can keep pushing on and keep Helander out. 5. Midfield: also looks in good shape with Jack his usual reliable self and signs that Kamara is back on form. 6. Competition: I don’t see the rest of the teams, Celtic aside, being stronger in fact finances may suggest that they’ll be weaker this season. Celtic have not signed any superstars as far as I can tell, but I really think they’ll miss Forster - someone I really rated. I don’t know much about Barkas but I expect he’s a big downgrade on FF. 7. Luck: we’re owed some of that and their luck must be up after landing a ninth tainted title and league cup that should have been ours! 8. Pressure: they won’t cope with the perception that they're going for tiar 9. Bench: we have some able back-ups in Bassey and McLaughlin (who may actually press Greegsy on more) and seen glimpses that encourage me to believe Barker could be prey useful. Not seen enough of Jones or Stewart - potential game changers if they live up to the jersey. 10. Last but not least - I cannot see Stevie Gerrard leaving us as a failure. He’s a winner and along with his able assistants, particularly MB, he will bring 55 home this season - there is no other scenario! Now Let’s Go!!!! Mon the Gers, WATP!

You could be right Bill, outside of out of contract players, I can't see anyone investing big bucks with so much uncertainty. Unless, there's massive reorg of our season's timing and therefore transfer open and closing times - which wholly depends on whether seasons play to a close and next season is completely revamped.

Thankfully, all other national leagues are in the same boat so that may influence things.

And just to add, suggestions of expanding the league to 14 teams to avoid declaring relegation still doesn’t work because then you’d be discounting Dundee, Ayr, Dunfermline et al - who all have a chance of finishing runner’s up - and the same with all promotion hopefuls in the lower leagues. Season completion or null and void are the ONLY fair options.

I’d love to agree with everything you said, and I may have done a few weeks ago, but now I think your POV is highly optimistic (50million income for those 3)

Absolutely, therefore unless there was a contingency clause, that clubs agreed to, stating that in the event of the season being cut short due to extraordinary circumstances the club with the most points at that point would be crowned champions, then I doubt it would be legally possible to do just that. There is no contingency clause and therefore the season must either be completed or be declared null and void. it doesn’t seem like there will be time to complete the season without disrupting season 20/21, so I’m convinced it will be null and void. No champions, no relegation, no promotion.

Kamberi for me. We looked much more positive after he came on - and was the missing spark. Wish he’d started instead of Morelos - shadow of what he was just a few weeks ago.

Rangers 0 Leverkusen 2 Kent

Ross County 0 Rangers 1 Aribo

I’m not thrilled about selecting MOTM after such a result - but I think Kamara and Aribo showed intent. Kamara caught my eye more so giving it to him.

Great, let’s speculate about who’s moving on

Don’t even think we tested the keeper that much actually. 31 shots and no goals = terrible performance. We lost to Hamilton, but we played well. The future is bright right enough.

I didn’t pick you up on the dominance (possession stat) but to say it wasn’t a bad performance - speechless

There’s very little confidence in the side now and players are afraid to make errors which is making it worse.

Luckily the split will be coming up soon

I would agree except for Morelos

I was obviously watching another game in a parallel universe

Indeed, SG was right on the first choice CB pairing of Goldson and Helander. I like Katic, but he has a lot to learn.....as does young George.

Rangers 3 Hamilton 0 MORELOS

Alfie has served his punishment. However, if the team had managed to win without him on Saturday - I would be putting him on the bench tomorrow night. They didn’t, so I’d start Morelos and give him 60 mins and if he’s not effective I’d bring on Defoe. Both are better than Kamberi. I wouldn’t start Defoe because I think he needs eased in gently. This is a must win game and we need our best team on the park. I know it’s all doom and gloom given the results post break, but if Celtic lose just one game we are right back in the race. I‘m not giving up, stranger things have happened. Here’s to Alfredo finding his form and leading us to glory.

Hearts 1 Rangers 2 Hagi

Me too, I hate to jinx things

? so glad they proved me wrong

Braga 3 Rangers 1 Kamberi go on prove me wrong Rangers and get through to the last 16 Please!!!

I’ve come to the same conclusion. This season started right - defending from the front - fast, physical, clinical. We seem to have given up on that or at least the players are not effective at it any more.