match thread (image) [FT] Livingston 0 - 1 Rangers (Kamara 4)

[Frankie 8,562]

I think it's fair to say that if we rewind a few weeks back to September 1st, most of us were in a disappointed mood after being beaten at home by Celtic in the league.  As such, it was vital that, after the international break, the team got back to winning ways: not just in terms of fan morale but for the players and any thoughts of trophy success we might have. 

 

To their credit and, although our form hasn't exactly been consistently sparkling, we have won all three games since, including a wonderful (and rather emotional) win last midweek in the Europa League.  All things considered, I find it somewhat interesting that instead of arguing about us losing points in games we should have won (see recent reasons), some fans are now debating our best two centre-halves or our attacking midfield balance, no matter whether we win 4-0 or 1-0.

 

Rangers

 

With the above in mind, Wednesday night's match away to Livingston in the Betfred Cup is an interesting one when we want to discuss team selection.  Does the manager risk progression in a tournament that may provide a chance of some much-needed silverware by rotating the bulk of his starting XI?  Or will he stick with a core XI of trusted players capable of providing a result in West Lothian and being fit and ready for the visit of Aberdeen to Ibrox just 72 hours later?

 

As I write this, I'm still not sure of the answer and may well change my mind by the time I reach the end of this preview.  On one hand, our squad is a big one and should be capable of rotating players in and out with ease.  I also don't think it's disrespectful to suggest teams like Livingston would love to have the option of players like Polster, Edmundson and Kamara to freshen up their side.  However, making too many changes could also unsettle the team and, in the last round against East Fife, the 'deputies' were hardly outstanding on the artificial surface of the joint League 1 leaders.  Let's not forget Livingston also beat us at home last season on their own 4G pitch so anyone approaching tomorrow's match expecting an easy win hasn't been paying attention.

 

For what it's worth though, I think the key factor may well be the fact we have such a tough match on Saturday.  As such, asking the bulk of the side to play Thursday and Sunday of last week, as well as this Wednesday and Saturday doesn't make sense when you've put together such a large (and capable) squad.  Of course having a settled team is best but managing the load of players - more so our best players - is very important in modern football.  We seen as much when our player of the season so far Ryan Jack returned injured from international duty. 

 

That means I think we will see a markedly different team from that which won handsomely in Perth; indeed it may well be similar to the one that beat East Fife last month.  That could mean starts for the likes of Foderingham, Polster, Edmundson, King, Stewart and Defoe.  And it's been no coincidence that both the manager and Michael Beale have sung the praises of most of these fringe lads in their interviews of late.  

 

My team at the bottom of the preview represents nine changes from Sunday and that does make me rather uncomfortable but not so much as injuries or avoidable strain on players I'd consider first choice ahead of two important matches this weekend and next Thursday. The manager's thinking will be fascinating tomorrow night in that regard!

 

Livingston

 

It's only been ten days since we played Gary Holt's men at Ibrox in what turned out to be a tense league affair.  After a fairly wasteful first half where Rangers were guilty of missed chances and some bad luck, Livi took the lead from a stonewall penalty just after half-time.  Fortunately, we replied quickly with some good fortune and fine finishing to run out comfortable winners in the end.  However, the 3-1 win doesn't tell the full story.

 

Although he was sent off just after our second goal, Lyndon Dykes stood out for the away side for most of the game and arguably gave Niko Katic in particular his toughest physical/aerial test of the season.  The big striker worked our back-line hard for much of his time on the park, won the penalty and helped create space for his team-mates at set-pieces as we struggled to contain his physical play.  After missing Livi's game at the weekend against Aberdeen due to that red card he'll be extremely eager to offer the same threat tomorrow.  And, with other experienced, strong players such as Bartley and Erskine, the home side will again be a danger if we don't match them in effort and strength.  Perhaps another reason for ensuring the team is fresh?

 

Conclusion

 

Guessing the Rangers team is a past-time we all enjoy ahead of games and it's usually good fun amongst fans.  Chopping and changing the team for games against East Fife is also easily dismissed without concern when we have Europa League qualifiers a few days later.  However, as cup competitions progress and league games get steadily more meaningful, the juggling act of squad rotation without affecting consistency and quality becomes an increasingly tricky and serious skill. 

 

How many changes can you make to your best XI without compromising results?  Two or three?  Five or six?  The whole team?  Ultimately, it's down to the manager: he signs the players and he knows whom he can rely on thereafter.  At least at Rangers there's one constant.  We have to win all our games.  That's not too much to ask, is it?!

 

Possible team (4-3-2-1)

 

 

 

 

 

[Scott7 6,009]

1 hour ago, Frankie said:

As I write this, I'm still not sure of the answer and may well change my mind by the time I reach the end of this preview.

I did - more than once.

 

That’s a powerful team if they play up.

[Frankie 8,562]

Manager said at today's presser that Brandon Barker has picked up a toe problem so might be unavailable tomorrow.

 

That's frustrating but does mean an opportunity for Stewart, Docherty and/or Murphy.  A team along the following lines:

 

[Gazza_8 233]

I can't see Gerrard making that many changes. Fod and Defoe are definates to start and probably Kamara too. 

[JFK-1 1,693]

Would have been a lot happier if this were a home game. They're going to set up like St Johnstone etc so what we're going to get is yet another battle to break through a parked bus strategy on the dreaded plastic pitch.

I know we need a trophy but if it came to a choice I would rather slip up in this one than the sheep game which follows it in which i'm hoping for a humiliating hammering akin to that we handed out to hibs.

[T-1000 174]

Doubt if there will be major changes but suspect that Foderingham and Defoe will play and with the possibility that Davis will be given a rest and maybe King being brought in.

 

 

[ian1964 10,724]

A reminder to anyone travelling to tonight’s game on the M8 that there are large roadworks which are likely to cause substantial delays.

The delays are affecting Junction 4 at Whitburn with queues down to before Junction 5 at Shotts.

Roadworks are taking place including essential concrete repairs, installation of combined drainage, waterproofing, central barrier replacement, joint replacement and carriageway surfacing work.

We recommend taking an alternative route or allow extra time for your journey.

https://livingstonfc.co.uk/m8-roadworks/

 

[der Berliner 3,744]

I wouldn`t be surprised to see some fellows who don`t get as many minutes in recent weeks take starting slots, even though one never knows with SG.

Possible line-up could be ...

 

Foderingham

 

Polster - Edmundson - Katic - Halliday

 

Kamara - Docherty

 

Stewart - Aribo - Murphy

 

Defoe

 

 

... but I guess SG will keep a few of his stalwarts.

 

[Bill 13,717]

Changes yes but fewer that some are suggesting. We need to start winning things and this is our best first chance. I think the key is an unchanged central defence. I could see something along these lines.

 

Foderingham

 

Polster - Goldson - Helander - Barisic

 

Jack - Aribo - Halliday

 

Stewart - Defoe - Ojo

[Tannochsidebear 2,410]

It was interesting to hear Gary McAllister say he felt there would be one or two changes but not wholesale changes as we got a tough game off Livvy a couple of weeks ago and we lost there last season so no room for complacency.

 

It then does ask the questions of why we have such a huge squad in terms of numbers if many of them are not considered capable of rotating into important games. With Dolly on Saturday and the Swiss next midweek this is the only opportunity to keep the team fresh for those massive games around the corner. If they cant trust the likes of Stewart, Polster, Edmundson, Docherty to be better than tonight's opponents then we really need to offload. Strength in depth cant be only for suspensions and injuries.

 

Be one of the more interesting team news line-ups I suspect, full of talking points no matter the line-up, and as long as we win, the management will have got it right!