ââ?¬Å?Winning isnââ?¬â?¢t everything; itââ?¬â?¢s the only thing!ââ?¬Â�

[Super_Ally 0]

You may be right but he hasn't been punished yet. The biggest punishment he could get would be to omit him from his CL shop-window, which is what he deserves.

 

I think you are right, but when you are struggling for quality, it can look like a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

 

You can't accuse Smith of being weak, what other manager would have suspended his no. 1 goalkeeper and club captain at a crucial stage of the season when winning that league was probably needed to save his own job? Sure it turned out we had decent cover, but that's in hindsight, no one could have known it was going to work out so well before hand.

 

It is easier to show that strength of character against comparatively weak opposition. To do so in Europe when potential progression means so much to the continued survival of our club.... can we afford to do that?

[Bluedell 5,607]

I think you are right, but when you are struggling for quality, it can look like a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

 

You can't accuse Smith of being weak, what other manager would have suspended his no. 1 goalkeeper and club captain at a crucial stage of the season when winning that league was probably needed to save his own job? Sure it turned out we had decent cover, but that's in hindsight, no one could have known it was going to work out so well before hand.

 

It is easier to show that strength of character against comparatively weak opposition. To do so in Europe when potential progression means so much to the continued survival of our club.... can we afford to do that?

 

Can we afford not to? We let Bougherra away with it and it sets a precedent. Can we then punish Mendes when he does it? Or are the Scots the only ones to get punished?

 

We would appear weak and the long-term consequences could be far worse than just losing 3 points in the CL.

 

As you say, if anyone is going to punish him, it's Smith. Let's hope he plays this right, whatever he decides.

[maineflyer 0]

I think you are right, but when you are struggling for quality, it can look like a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face.

 

You can't accuse Smith of being weak, what other manager would have suspended his no. 1 goalkeeper and club captain at a crucial stage of the season when winning that league was probably needed to save his own job? Sure it turned out we had decent cover, but that's in hindsight, no one could have known it was going to work out so well before hand.

 

It is easier to show that strength of character against comparatively weak opposition. To do so in Europe when potential progression means so much to the continued survival of our club.... can we afford to do that?

In management, you have two options. You assert leadership or you fail. Let Bougherra away with this and Smith might as well sit at the house and watch Quincy.

[Super_Ally 0]

Can we afford not to? We let Bougherra away with it and it sets a precedent. Can we then punish Mendes when he does it? Or are the Scots the only ones to get punished?

 

We would appear weak and the long-term consequences could be far worse than just losing 3 points in the CL.

 

As you say, if anyone is going to punish him, it's Smith. Let's hope he plays this right, whatever he decides.

 

I do agree with you overall.

 

I'm just wondering what level of punishment will Smith deem appropriate and will he (perhaps subconsciously) allow Boogie's importance to the team (particularly in view of a lack of quality replacements and the upcoming opposition and competition) cloud his judgement of this?

 

Might he think a one game suspension and fine is appropriate? Who can say. And if he does, who can also say that Smith is not correct.

 

Is returning late from international duty worse than drinking til the wee hours (albeit Burley made an arse of the situation) then petulant gestures broadcast around the globe bringing the club into more disrepute? I don't really know.

 

Boogie's actions could arguably have cost us more, well particularly on the field. We fortunately won without him. However, McGregor and Ferguson's actions were the antithesis of everything that it is to be a Ranger and shamed the club across the continent at least. I cant make my mind up on that. Both show a gross lack of respect to the club and the manager.

[Super_Ally 0]

In management, you have two options. You assert leadership or you fail. Let Bougherra away with this and Smith might as well sit at the house and watch Quincy.

 

I don't advocate letting him away with it. I just wonder if Smith believes he has given him his punishment?

[Zappa 0]

McCulloch for Boogie in Europe?

Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!! For the love of God/Ala/Bhudda/the sun, please no!!!! :eek:

[Super_Ally 0]

In consideration of the title here, what do you want tonight guys? A result or a performance? (Yes, we all want both).

[craig 5,199]

Result first, always

[calscot 0]

We desperately need the points.