Match Thread [FT] Ross County 3 - 2 Rangers (Baldwin o.g. 15; Tavernier 89pen)

[compo 7,038]

5 hours ago, Rousseau said:

We've been worse since McCausland has been (hopefully) rested. 

McCausland was the only player we had who'd take opponents on now since he's been out it's the after you Claude tactics again a  few square passes and pass back for a Goldson diagonal blooter up the park .failure to win this league could mean a potential loss of up to £40,000,000 in next seasons champions  league money .

[26th of foot 6,082]

The longer a player is out injured, the better he becomes.

 

However, two players with long term injuries are really hampering how the Gaffer wants the team to play.

 

Cortes is a real miss, he provided balance and necessary width. Yesterday, Ryan Jack's positional sense would have nullified one or two of the attacks that ended in County goals. Further, he would have been available for the short balls that ensure possession is retained and we move forward in gradations.. Those lumps up to the opposition's eighteen yard line and players flooding forward in support killed us.

[compo 7,038]

At least some good news a punter had the good sense to stick County in his accumulator and lifted over a £100,000 well done him 

[RANGERRAB 3,663]

3 hours ago, 26th of foot said:

The longer a player is out injured, the better he becomes.

 

However, two players with long term injuries are really hampering how the Gaffer wants the team to play.

 

Cortes is a real miss, he provided balance and necessary width. Yesterday, Ryan Jack's positional sense would have nullified one or two of the attacks that ended in County goals. Further, he would have been available for the short balls that ensure possession is retained and we move forward in gradations.. Those lumps up to the opposition's eighteen yard line and players flooding forward in support killed us.

Ryan Jack is finished at Rangers. His contract is up at the end of the season. He has missed far too many games this season 

Can’t see us signing Cortes for next season unless it’s another loan deal. He only played about half a dozen games before getting injured 

[RANGERRAB 3,663]

3 hours ago, compo said:

McCausland was the only player we had who'd take opponents on now since he's been out it's the after you Claude tactics again a  few square passes and pass back for a Goldson diagonal blooter up the park .failure to win this league could mean a potential loss of up to £40,000,000 in next seasons champions  league money .

MacAusland doesn’t take opponents on. That’s a big problem with him in the team. He contributes very little.

[RANGERRAB 3,663]

8 hours ago, Franc Ergs said:

The post match interview he seemed to praise our defensive record , so can’t see any changes there.

No I don't think I here will be changes. We’ve no one to bring in who’s better than Golds & captain tav

[compo 7,038]

1 minute ago, RANGERRAB said:

MacAusland doesn’t take opponents on. That’s a big problem with him in the team. He contributes very little.

Of course he does and he’s the only one the rest either pass sideways or back 

[RANGERRAB 3,663]

37 minutes ago, compo said:

Of course he does and he’s the only one the rest either pass sideways or back 

Well we agree to disagree. I don’t see McAusland dribbling past defenders and putting balls into the box for the forwards. Most of the time he’s anonymous 

Edited April 15 by RANGERRAB

[der Berliner 3,744]

On 14/04/2024 at 21:09, CammyF said:

Here is a couple of interesting stats 

 

Today was Clements 24th league game and he has secured 59 points. That's exactly the same total that Beale collected in 24 league games (only 3 more than Gio did).

 

If we win our last 6 league games this season, we will win the league, however it'll match our points tally for last season. Just reinforces we haven't improved, Celtic have regressed dramatically. 

Remember that they stumbled during the 55 season too. While we did our part fairly well, they fell apart after the turn of the year like we did under SG et al a few times.

 

IMHO, our main problem remains a) converting chances created and b) conceding far too many goals compared to the chances the opposition creates. It has been our downfall since the return to the top flight, and we stubbornly resist changing the tactics that lead to this, as well as keep playing players who are not up for this.

 

Said it before and say it again: when fit, Souttar and Balogun are our best defenders at the club. Mainly because they can defend, see danger in advance, and do the simply things. Goldson and Tav switch off far too regularly in when it comes to their defensive duties.

 

If we like to play the WINGback game, we essentially need one DM to cover the area vacated. Instead, we de facto play two (Sunday it was Dowell and Lundstram), yet both wander out of position far too regularly (like yesterday) and time and again, we are rolled over in a quick counter-attack. You obviously want the DMs/CMs/whatever you call them to bolster the attack, yet Lundstram was harmless in that role (again), so should have stayed back. Dowell tried, but has yet to cope with the robust defensive style we face - same with Lawrence, more often than not. Our midfield was effectively a man or two down - again. That left all driving in the hands of our centre-halfs (again), or the invention of a Cantwell, who was chasing people all over the place.

Silva got no service and hooking him was truly shocking, like it was in the OF game. 

Get Sterling on for Dowell, make it a 3-at-the-back, Lundstram (for lack of options) in front of them and let the other 6 attack like there is no tomorrow. At least 2 strikers with those. It was Ross County, it will be Dundee ... all packed defences and anti-football, and we continue to chisel at that wall instead of using the sledgehammer we have ready. 

 

You see Cantwell, Ridvan, Silva, Raskin, even Wright, all players "thinking forward". That should be the way ahead. The current crew has far too many people not of that ilk, spraying passes backwards or sideways, running five yards before releasing the ball 8and thus telegraphing their intent), even if the clock is ticking down. Thank's for the contribution so far. But we need to move on.

[der Berliner 3,744]

On 14/04/2024 at 15:19, CammyF said:

Hahaha - what striker at our club has the goals and assists of Tav? 

 

He was poor today, but so was every other player (who started or brought on).

 

So given your thinking, if any other player took the penalty today, it would have been indulgence? 

How many goals conceded was Tav in these last 10 days? 

 

I have no problem if he was meant to be our right winger, or midfielder, but I like defenders defending. He will be one of the greatest ever right-backs of this club, rule the stats for decades to come. All fine and well. His goals tally without penalties will would make any right winger proud, likewise his assists. Now go And check how many trophies he has won in his 9 years with the club. 3 major ones. Just to get grounded a little. Many people got hooked, drawn, and quartered by playing similar football as Tav, but failing to clock up penalty goals or assists - more often than not his letters of indulgence. 

 

I saw you advocating the sale of Ridvan above. He's one of the brightest sparks of late, yet you want him shifted? I am rather content to agree to disagree with you about both Tav and Ridvan.