Gers able to reach last 16 - Edu

[Gazza_8 233]

Edu was being realistic as well. We can qualify and while that isn't a certainty it is definitely a possibility depending on the draw.

 

 

I think Edu was talking a good game. Whether or not it materialises is another matter.

[Frankie 8,696]

Of course; which is why your rather glib initial response was overly negative and unnecessary IMO.

[Gazza_8 233]

Of course; which is why your rather glib initial response was overly negative and unnecessary IMO.

 

I disagree for the reasons I've stated previously.

[calscot 0]

Negativity is usually less realistic than positivity, as pessimists are usually more "certain" that they are right compared to optimists who are more hopeful than certain.

 

For example an optimist will typically have a view like, "we've got a good chance", whereas a pessimist will say, "we have no chance". It's obvious which is more realistic.

[Gribz 972]

Negativity is usually less realistic than positivity, as pessimists are usually more "certain" that they are right compared to optimists who are more hopeful than certain.

 

For example an optimist will typically have a view like, "we've got a good chance", whereas a pessimist will say, "we have no chance". It's obvious which is more realistic.

 

I dont think that implies to a situation until you know at least what / who you will be up against. In this case no draw has been made.

 

Lets say we drew Rosenborg, Porto and Liverpool. We would have no reason what so ever to be negative, if we were then whats the point of entering the competition!!

 

If we draw Man U, AC Milan and PSV then we might have a reason to say the odds are against us but we should at least go in with a fight.

 

So realistically we should probably wait until the draw is made before we say we could reach the last 16.

 

 

EDIT...oops...i mis read Calscots post, I thought he said Negativity is MORE realistic. However I'll keep my post for anyone who is negative!

[Guest McD]

The poor McLeish team that finished 3rd in the SPL in 05/06 reached the last 16 so a decent draw and providing we keep our main players at the club and fit and it isn't beyond the realms of possibility at all. Edu is hardly making out we're going to win the thing, I don't have a problem with what he's saying at all. Better that than the premature defeatism ringing out from sections of the support at the moment.

 

My only slight concern is that we might struggle to juggle the CL games and domestic games especially given the main objective of this close season is the chipping away of our strength in depth.

[Frankie 8,696]

Yeah, squad depth may prove to be a problem. Edu and Thomson's long term fitness are debatable while other fringe players' contributions have hardly been consistent in the SPL - never mind Europe.

 

However, it is important to be positive and with less pressure on the team this season and minimal squad changes, I'm feeling quietly confident.

[calscot 0]

When it comes to players, it's vital they remain positive as belief is important in winning especially as it can be self prophesying. If Edu and the team think they have little chance of progressing, then it's a good bet we won't.

 

They need to believe they can do it, but fans negativity could easily knock their confidence.

 

We've recently been to the last 16 and Celtic have done it twice, so to be confident of doing it again, even before the draw, is not outrageous - and there is much argument to be made that we have a better team than others that have qualified.

 

We came close to qualifying two years ago in the group of death - one of the hardest groups a Scottish club has faced, so it's best not to be too intimidated by the draw on paper.

 

Positivity breeds a "can do" attitude where players train well and try to play to the best of their ability; whereas, negativity breeds a "why bother" attitude of apathy in training and lack of motivation on the field.

 

"Blind optimism", can be naive and counter productive, but I think there are few people at Rangers or in the support who still have an attitude like that.

[Super_Ally 0]

I'm being realistic.

 

We'll play 11 men behind the ball at home and struggle to score. Away from home I don't mind backs against the wall stuff as we'll, more often than not be the underdogs away from home but at home I'd like to see us go out and attack with a bit more flair and creativity. Mind you, if we struggle to do it against Hearts, Hibs etc etc we'll struggle against teams who are in the CL.

 

If we play the way we did last season ie the high balls upto players who aren't that particularly great in the air we'll struggle. WS has to adapt our style of play. Unfortunately, he's not got the tactical skills to do so.

 

The aim of football is winning games. How you do it is immaterial (within the laws of the game).

 

With the quality of this competition being the highest of club competitions the world over and a whole let stronger than the SPL.

 

The financial rewards and the improvement to the co-efficient (which can have cyclical improvement on finances, squad improvement, European progression and the co-efficient) are paramount to any club in European competition.

 

If playing defensive counter-attacking football makes us more succesful bring it on. Home and Away. I enjoyed knocking Fiorentina, Werder Bremen and other big names out of Europe on the way to Manchester and look forward to more scalps this year. Even if we get some sour grapes about "anti-football". My response would be giruy. Football is about winning!!!!!

[Zappa 0]

I like Edu's train of thought. If all of the people involved have a similar mentality I don't see any reason to doubt that we can do it.