If you build it, they will come

[Frankie 8,843]

After another morale crushing result at the weekend, it wasn't the fact that we were beaten at home by Annan Athletic that seems to have annoyed so many bears, but rather the way in which we were beaten. Not only did Annan seem to work twice as hard as our well-paid 'stars' but they created just as many chances and played just as good football for long periods. OK, their goalie had a fine match but they fully deserved their win and we could have no complaints at all.

 

Since then, we've seen many fans express their frustration at events on the pitch this season. Yes, we're going to win SFL3 comfortably but at no point have we really dominated the division and our mainly part-time challengers. Indeed, for spells in nearly every game, other teams have caused us many problems, have often looked fitter and certainly seem just as committed and talented. Why is that?

 

Now, clearly the events of the last year can be attributed to our poor performance. I sincerely doubt any team would seamlessly transfer from administration to a newco while losing the bulk of their first team squad. Add in the new experiences for various younger lads and foreign players, then inconsistency was always inevitable. Quite simply the expectations of playing every week for Rangers (in Division Three or not) are completely different from a reserve league at home or abroad. This, together with the sheer number of new players we had to bring in, means a period of adjustment was always going to happen - and, realistically a substantial one at that. Fair enough - we should be careful not to over-react.

 

In saying that, I think most bears did appreciate this and have been more than willing to back the team (and club) through this transitional period. Impressive season ticket numbers and an excellent IPO take-up have shown just how eager our support is to go the extra mile. And, although we're certainly frustrated right now, we won't abandon Ally or the players in their attempt to move back up through the leagues. But, and it's a big but, neither will we (nor should we) be expected to tolerate poor attitudes and a lack of vision - two disappointing aspects of this season so far.

 

Charles Green has done a fine job so far and while it's easy to criticise him for perhaps saying too much, no-one can deny he's delivered on most of his promises so far. A successful share flotation, new shirt and stadium sponsorships, the re-purchase of erstwhile club assets and better communication with supporters shows this guy means business. We may not agree with all his methods or some of his projects but we have to acknowledge the hard work he and his team have put into the club since taking over last year. Other bidders may ask what if but he got the job done and the club, a few issues aside, is doing well which is why we still have so many people eager to pull us down.

 

With that in mind, we have to be careful when we do offer criticism of the club but neither should we be frightened of doing so. Fact is, there are valid questions with the way the club is going. For example, every fan will follow Ally McCoist as long as he's manager but is he the long term answer? Green has had regular meetings with fans but are they too informal? We have £22million in the bank but where exactly is that money going and what happens when it runs out? We've brought in a variety of new staff but are they giving us value for money? Strong opinions have been expressed about certain attacks on the club but will we be taking this further?

 

All in all, most of these questions will take care of themselves if the team is successful on the pitch so, given our obvious deficiencies there, it's not a surprise to see moans about individual players develop into more serious doubts about our strategic football philosophy as a whole. Are two hour, four days a week training sessions really enough to sharpen the skills of our squad? Or do our fans have to accept modern sports science places just as much an importance on rest and recovery than working until dusk on set-pieces?

 

Generally, I think this is where more clarity and communication could help. We've yet to hear from Craig Mather (our new Head of Sports Development) and no-one really seems to know where Ally intends to take the team tactically as we return to the top flight. Will we look to place a dependence on our youth system or risk lots of money on wages for supposed higher level players? Will fans be more patient with a Lewis Macleod than an Ian Black? Should we gamble on a Chris Hegarty or buy a Jon Daly to help in defence?

 

In actual fact, these are not as easy questions to answer as some fans will claim. Success is demanded instantly at Rangers and often supporters won't care how we come by it as long as we do. In many ways, this is why our club is now in the situation it is - a few fans were worried about the SDM era but most were happy to keep winning - at all costs literally! Rather than invest in the long term during the successful 1990s; we wasted tens of millions on what ended up to be no more than seasonal bragging rights. Who's laughing now?

 

In that respect, perhaps this is the time for something different - a genuine change in attitudes from everyone associated with the club. Not only should we become more sustainable going forward but more socially responsible and self-aware. Rather than gamble our future on short-term risks, let's make our mark for years to come and really put the years of boom and bust behind us.

 

The disappointments of the last year should never be forgotten but are we already starting to make the same mistakes again? In many ways, we were given the opportunity to start again and build from scratch but there's little evidence of a genuine 'new' Rangers which can be the role-model for Scottish football instead of the pariah. We can all remember the excitement of 2001 when Murray Park was opened but its results have been sporadic instead of constant. It's not too late to change that.

 

In conclusion, Ibrox Stadium and Auchenhowie should not only be our Fields of Dreams but those of every football player in the country and beyond. Are we and Charles Green brave enough to build it?

[Frankie 8,843]

I'd recommend reading this article from elfideldo alongside this one:

 

http://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/game-time-player-development/

 

Apparently several young players are out of contract in May - can we really expect them to re-sign given their development may be stunted here?

[Max Rebo's Big Blue Nose 0]

Good article. I genuinely think fans would be more tolerant and buy into a vision if it was there for all to see. I know we all have a desire to rise as quickly as we can through the leagues but you have to think has anyone at Ibrox stopped for a minute and thought "What is the final stop in this journey?" "Where do we want to be?" IMO we have been so preoccupied with getting up the leagues we haven't taken the time to look at a long term plan. We have been given the chance to rip it up and start again. A unique opportunity to reboot our club. We have been handed a fresh canvas etc. etc.... IMO we should be laying the foundations that will hold our great club in good stead for the challenges and decades ahead (whatever they may be) and for me that all starts on the pitch. If you there is no success/progress/vision on the playing side of things we won't get far in any of our off field ventures (as well as season ticket renewals)

 

We need a radical new dawn at Ibrox and I fear all we are getting is the same tired ideas. For example I've read articles about possible replacements for McCoist if he was to leave. The names I've heard include Butcher, McCall etc. Here's a novel idea...why not just forget looking to the past for answers and try to come up with some new ideas? Forget old players from the 9IAR era, forget "Rangers men through and through". Why not give a young ambitious manager the chance as this is probably the only time in our history we will have the chance to do this. I don't give a damn if he has Rangers connections. I just want him to know how a football team works. I want a manager that can get the best from young players and under performing players? I want a manager that instills a tangible playing style that will be the foundation for the future of our club. Is that too much to ask? If not we should just change our name to Short Termism FC

Edited March 13, 2013 by Max Rebo's Big Blue Nose

[Anchorman 0]

I think you've hit the nail on the head here Frankie. I've always had something knaw away at me with our youth progress\set up\scouting system\ academy etc. I think I've just realised what it has been all along - utter lack of transparancy!

Over the last year the doors have been open to the fans on pretty much everything, from the cleaning staff worried about their jobs, to the players thoughts on an unsettling time, the thoughts of the management and board on those players who walked out. And we have a Chief Exec who wants to tell us everything down to what he had for breakfast.

But the one subject that causes friction every time it is discussed is our youth and scouting policy. Every now and again one of the young sides wins a cup - and hey everything is just dandy. And then you read the next week that our young sides are getting royally humped by Hearts, Queens Park etc. The subject causes friction because nobody knows what the hell is going on.

In the past we may not have needed to know just as much, as we were able to go out and spend to cover, But now it is our lifeblood and the building blocks of our Club, not just for 3 years but potentially for the rest of my (and your) lifetime. We need information, we need hope, we need to become as familiar with that set up as we are with our underperforming first team. Time to open the doors further down Rangers.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Anchorman

[Darthter 542]

If the right foundations are laid NOW, by the time we are back in the top league, we should start to see sign of something positive happening.

 

There shouldn't be any questions about a youth/reserve etc stepping up to the 1st team - they should either be ready or not.

There should be a steady flow, year-on-year of youths coming through the ranks and getting playing time in the 1st team

There should be no reliance on buying in all our players

 

If there are doubts over a youth/reserves ability to play in the 1st team, ship them out ASAP. Don't keep them hanging onto a dream that's not going to materialise.

 

Get the used to a strict training regime/programme from an early age - keep them hungry (not literally), passionate about playing - don't let them turn into spoiled prima-donas.