MotM v PSV (2nd Leg)

[DMAA 3,606]

Have to say it’s great to see James Sands, who didn't start in Seville, getting 20

votes for man of the match for this game of all games. What a turnaround for him, I’m chuffed for him. I have wanted him to do well since he joined, I’m not sure why, part of it is the fact that he’s come across the world to better himself and it’s always a shame when that doesn’t work out, but he also just comes across like a good guy and a good team player. He’s also been written off plenty by our fans. 
 

Anyway, I’ve nothing to add to what others have said about his performance other than that even though I knew he had more aggression and strength than he got credit for, I was surprised last night at just how tough he was. As things stand, he certainly looks like a ball playing centre back rather than a centre mid, and our £4m signing has a job on his hands to displace him. 

[Frankie 8,223]

Just to go against what a few others have said, I think Sands can and will play in midfield but, just as has been the case in his performances at centre-back, we just need to see more of him there to realise how useful a player he is.

 

 

[DMAA 3,606]

2 minutes ago, Frankie said:

Just to go against what a few others have said, I think Sands can and will play in midfield but, just as has been the case in his performances at centre-back, we just need to see more of him there to realise how useful a player he is.

 

 

Agree, he can play centre mid. Centre back is just where he has got his chance. We haven’t seen him excel in centre mid yet though. 

[Rousseau 9,801]

I've always thought that Rangers fans, as a collective, have a kind of mental block when it comes to players - it's maybe a British thing. 

 

When they see a player that has flaws, their immediate response is, 'he's not good enough', 'we need to strengthen' and/or 'we need to replace [player X]'.

 

I don't think that's what Ajax would do, for example. They would look at the attributes the player does have, then work at developing the deficiencies in their game. You can't do that without playing them. 

 

Sands has the raw attributes to be a good CB, but with some obvious flaws. 

 

My view was always, he's got the tools, lets give him a run of games and iron out and improve the flaws. Then, we have a superb player that we can then sell on for a lot of money. 

 

Remember Bassey: his first few games at CB were terrible.

[Sutton_blows_goats 4,565]

20 minutes ago, Frankie said:

Just to go against what a few others have said, I think Sands can and will play in midfield but, just as has been the case in his performances at centre-back, we just need to see more of him there to realise how useful a player he is.

 

 

Not for me, we don't need a James Sands in midfield in the SPL. If he cant play there ahead of a barely fit Jack, and old Davis who needs his game time managed, and out of sorts Kamara then not sure he will play there if we bring in another midfielder. CB all the way for me. I'm prepared to die on this hill. 

 

Sands can go all the way at CB for us. 

[DMAA 3,606]

15 minutes ago, Rousseau said:

I've always thought that Rangers fans, as a collective, have a kind of mental block when it comes to players - it's maybe a British thing. 

 

When they see a player that has flaws, their immediate response is, 'he's not good enough', 'we need to strengthen' and/or 'we need to replace [player X]'.

 

I don't think that's what Ajax would do, for example. They would look at the attributes the player does have, then work at developing the deficiencies in their game. You can't do that without playing them. 

 

Sands has the raw attributes to be a good CB, but with some obvious flaws. 

 

My view was always, he's got the tools, lets give him a run of games and iron out and improve the flaws. Then, we have a superb player that we can then sell on for a lot of money. 

 

Remember Bassey: his first few games at CB were terrible.

Have we got worse with the endless discussion that comes with the internet? I often mention that arguably our best performing side (02-03) had Bob Malcolm and Maurice Ross in it. They each made about 30 appearances that season. Ricky Foster played a part in Walter Smith’s sides. As did a fairly raw Gregg Wylde. Edu maybe an even better example because he was a proper regular, despite being a fairly limited player, he was used well though. Cole and Hutton started our last Champions League game, which was under Walter too. 
 

Today it feels like every position has to be perfect. Not just the starting 11, the backups have to be perfect too. Even an established player like Barisic (compare to Foster) gets crucified and completely written off after a poor performance. If your weakest player is Barisic then you are in good shape! Some very good Rangers teams have had weaker links than that. 

Edited August 26, 2022 by DMAA

[Sutton_blows_goats 4,565]

7 minutes ago, DMAA said:

I often mention that arguably our best performing side (02-03) had Bob Malcolm and Maurice Ross in it.

That inter side we drew with at Ibrox that year was bloody good btw.

[DMAA 3,606]

7 minutes ago, Sutton_blows_goats said:

That inter side we drew with at Ibrox that year was bloody good btw.

Just looked it up, that was 2005. But yeh a good team. And yes, Bob Malcolm, Ian Murray and Namouchi started that game. Not exactly a team full of a stars.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

this is exactly the conveyor belt of talent we need. We sell our left cb for 25 million and in steps another young lad who looks like a 30 million quid player in the making. 

 

A good CL and world cup and we will be buying sands and selling him on the same day next summer. 

 

 

[the gunslinger 3,366]

37 minutes ago, Sutton_blows_goats said:

Not for me, we don't need a James Sands in midfield in the SPL. If he cant play there ahead of a barely fit Jack, and old Davis who needs his game time managed, and out of sorts Kamara then not sure he will play there if we bring in another midfielder. CB all the way for me. I'm prepared to die on this hill. 

 

Sands can go all the way at CB for us. 

I only have him at CM if Lundstrum isn't playing for some reason.