Frankie 8,663 Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 It's been a strange season for Rangers so far: inconsistent results with intermittent good form, and all of this stop-start amidst international football disappointment. Essentially just as you think Pedro's squad are starting to find their feet, something happens to stop them in their tracks. From apparent fall-outs with Kenny Miller, to what seem like constant international breaks, and not forgetting the distraction of Old Firm fixtures, it's not a huge surprise we lack momentum at times. Nevertheless, with two good away wins in the bag in our last two matches, this Sunday's Betfred League Cup semi-final against Motherwell is the ideal time for Pedro's men to at last win three games in a row and seal another Cup final at Hampden. However, this will be far from easy. In the last six games alone, Motherwell have matched us in terms of form and are just the one point behind us in the Premiership table. Indeed, only their loss against us on the opening day has stopped them occupying third ahead of our favourites. No wonder then their manager Stephen Robinson has been tied into a new contract along with some of their impressive players. Louis Moult may well be their most dangerous outlet in terms of goals but in Cadden, Kipre, Campbell and others the Lanarkshire men must be judged as a team capable of taking points off anyone else in Scotland. Fortunately, despite the slow progress mentioned above, we're not doing so bad ourselves and with a 3-0 win against St Johnstone in Perth last Friday we not only showed improved defensive resilience but once again scored the goals our creative play merited. It's certainly shaping up to be an exciting, open game. In terms of the Rangers first XI, there are unlikely to be many changes from the team that beat Saints so convincingly. As has happened previously, Jak Alnwick is likely to be chosen ahead of Wes Foderingham for this League Cup fixture and, given his excellent performance in the last round against Partick, there need be no worries there. Ahead of him, our preferred back four of Tavernier, Cardoso, Alves and John should be favoured once more - especially after their clean sheet at McDiarmid Park. Moving into the midfield and depending on how Caixinha wants to set up tactically there is an opportunity for change there with Ryan Jack available again for selection after suspension. The manager may instead prefer to keep Jason Holt in the team who perhaps offers more than Jack in offensive areas and the former Hearts man has certainly shone up well in recent weeks. However, Jack has been one of our better players over the whole season so far which would mean his omission would be a surprise. Graham Dorrans will certainly play with his form steadying as he eases himself into being a key player at Rangers. In front of the two holdings players, the more attacking three of Windass, Pena and Candeias are shoe-ins for Sunday's team. The latter has been the best of the three and has really done the business on the right of our midfield - both in terms of creating and scoring goals and also working hard defensively. Windass and Pena haven't been quite as effective but Pena especially is now starting to show the kind of sharpness and quality he'll need to pay back his manager's faith in him. All three will again be key players on Sunday and there defensive work will be just as crucial as their forward play. Obviously this leaves one position up front and Alfredo Morelos should continue in the role that has seen him lead the line ahead of Herrera and Miller so far this season. The young Columbian may not have scored recently but the work he does in terms of creating space for others and his general link-up play has been of genuine quality throughout. Is it any wonder that Motherwell stopper Peter Hartley has joined the long list of people who think they can rough the lad up? We'll see on Sunday night who has the last laugh there.... And that's an issue worthy of discussing in conclusion. Motherwell have never been a team of shrinking violets and Hartley's words have ensured Sunday's game will be as much a test physically as anything else. We'll have to match the Steelmen in that vein throughout but, crucially maintain our discipline as well. Who will be our super hero this weekend? Possible team (4-2-3-1): Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,663 Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 PS: I know it's a bit early but I'm buggering off on holiday for a few days so hopefully the team still stands by Sunday afternoon... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,761 Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Jak’s Cup Calm JAK ALNWICK admits Sunday’s League Cup semi-final will be the biggest game of his career to date – but the goalkeeper won’t be getting nervous. https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/jaks-cup-calm/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFK-1 1,693 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Although they have the Indian sign over Motherwell in recent fixtures, interestingly Rangers have not been leading at half-time in the last six meetings despite winning five of those matches and drawing the sixth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,761 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 This is a huge match, a win to get to the cup final and get 3 wins in a row to keep the momentum going. I do think we are improving/gelling as a team and it should be a great day out for those bears lucky enough to be going, I won't be there, in fact I won't see or hear it, GUTTED!, but I will catch up with the match later at some point. C'mon the Rangers give these chunts a hammering! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo79 15,299 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 (edited) "Windass and Pena haven't been quite as effective". Pena scored two cracking goals on Friday night. Lumping him in with Windass in terms of effectiveness is a bit unfair. Edited October 19, 2017 by Gonzo79 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacK1950 2,399 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Yes Pena scored two cracking goals but like Windass has blown hot and cold but if both show what they ARE capable of it will make a big difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calscot 0 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 One thing about Peña's goals is that both times he benefited from losing his marker due to them double teaming on Morelos as he's probably seen as the biggest threat. If Carlos starts scoring a lot then that would change and make him less effective, but also give more space to the Buffalo. So it's swings and roundabouts but means that Peña could start to look less of a player. I do think he needs to cut out the schoolboy errors though. A better team will really punish us for those. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFK-1 1,693 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 I do think he needs to cut out the schoolboy errors though. A better team will really punish us for those. Fortunately there isn't much in the league any better than St Johnstone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrheadboy 16 Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 That team sounds about right only doubt barring injuries is it Jack ,or Holt neither or works for me ,if pushed I would probably choose Jack. If it gets physical he has the edge over Holt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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