ian1964 10,625 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 by John Gow Rangers should have no fear against Queen's Park on Saturday who are, after all, a bunch of amateurs. Of course that is a common insult, but in this case it is entirely accurate. Never mind that the Hampden side are second in the league, or that the Gers have some injury problems. There should be no excuses for not beating the 'Spiders' in every aspect of the game. After the sore defeat to Dundee United, more in performance than result, this team, from the management to players, owes the fans something different. The support is becoming more restless -- slowly growing aware that all is not well on the football side. Sure, there are many valid excuses for Ally McCoist and his players not being in control of everything they should, but that is not the issue. Fitness, attitude and style are very much in the hands of the team, and so far while the club should be laying groundwork for the future, they are stumbling about in the dark. Rangers players earning thousands of pounds a week in the best training facilities in Scotland only just beating guys who are on travel expenses is an embarrassment. Complaints that there is a striker shortage, while Andy Little, Dean Shiels, David Templeton and Barrie Mackay are fit are just a way of putting your excuse in early. Regular readers will know much of this has been said before, and many who reply in the comments and elsewhere feel the same. This is not new, but the difference is that the tiny snowball rolling down the hill is growing in size after every shambolic performance. Early in the season it was pointed out that winning the league would not be the criteria that Rangers are judged on. It would be how they win it, and if there were signs of a footballing philosophy being built upon. As yet, there is none. Saturday is a chance to change this perception or have it confirmed. Will he stay with the same style of formation and football that hasn't worked? Can he adapt and take a risk? Can he tell his players to open the game up with passing football and pace, or will he keep with the fearful style of percentage football that has bewildered nearly everyone who has witnessed it? And what about the attitude of the players? Will Ian Black walk back into the team after yet another sub-standard game in which he let the club down with silly gestures with a red card? Anyone can make mistakes, but Black has even gestured to the Rangers fans this season, and if he isn't dropped, then how is it possible for a squad to respect the management team if there is no discipline? For a striker who took risks on the park and who was only at his best with good service, it's a surprise that McCoist has put out a team that is cautious and seems to worry about others too much. With this squad it would be understandable in the Scottish Premier League (SPL), but they are playing the worst players in Scotland. At the moment his utilitarian approach is only putting his own job in danger. Regardless of what McCoist did for the club during 2012, the logic will be that if he can't get his players playing better football than SFL3 sides, how will he manage in the premier division? If he believes winning these lower divisions is enough then he doesn't truly understand his job. This is a wonderful opportunity to rebuild the football side of the club from top to bottom with a five year plan. This is what the fans are expecting and if this doesn't happen then a few fourth and third tier trophies will mean little. Maybe this is unfair. Maybe the club is being revolutionised from within and the results will only show in a few years, but right now it doesn't look like it. The words off the park and the style on it are far too fearful and stifling. Be confident Rangers and show the support what youâ??ve got. No more excuses. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/rangers/id/3562?cc=5739 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Pretty much spot on. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annan Bear 0 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Just wish Ally would read that 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMazza 0 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 For a striker who took risks on the park and who was only at his best with good service, it's a surprise that McCoist has put out a team that is cautious and seems to worry about others too much. Fair point there. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,564 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Sorry ... but all has been said before and we've got a topic for all to ride upon and each and sundry voice an opinion. Bandwaggon springs to mind. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuznetsov 0 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 as long as super is in charge people will fall over themselves to find excuses to pardon his ineptness. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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