Rousseau 10,812 Posted May 12 Share Posted May 12 1 minute ago, der Berliner said: After the Cup Final ... I might form my own breakaway transfer thread: The Super Summer Transfer Thread. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,803 Posted May 12 Share Posted May 12 13 minutes ago, Rousseau said: I might form my own breakaway transfer thread: The Super Summer Transfer Thread. If you follow the footsteps of your name-giver too eagerly, your revolutionary behaviour above may sooner or later see you end up going bananas like him ... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rousseau 10,812 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 Our xG (blue) and xGA (red) over the course of the season. Clement comes in at the first St Mirren match. You can see a clear upturn in the xG, pretty much over the course - along with some fluctuations. Our xGA has been good, until the last 9 games, when it starts creeping up. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rousseau 10,812 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 Another thing I noticed: Our average xGA with Yilmaz: 0.67 Our average xGA without Yilmaz: 1.37 Coincidence? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CammyF 8,375 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 4 minutes ago, Rousseau said: Another thing I noticed: Our average xGA with Yilmaz: 0.67 Our average xGA without Yilmaz: 1.37 Coincidence? Yilmaz didn't play in the League Cup Final - coincidence 🤔 😀😀😀 That's a joke before anyone jumps in 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuddie 1,693 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 On 19/04/2024 at 11:03, Frankie said: It's safe to say that since my last site editorial things have not gone well for Rangers... Despite a late draw against Celtic after an awful first 45mins in that game, the side have capitulated further in our subsequent matches at Ross County and Dundee to fall three points behind our rivals at the top of the table. Yes, the title hasn't gone yet and we've clawed back success from worse positions but with the team (and manager if we're being honest) looking a shadow of themselves in recent weeks, Celtic are now massive favourites. With that in mind and with supporters debating/arguing amongst themselves about who is to blame for poor results and who should stay or go over the summer, it's a good time to examine the general status of the squad which you can view in the image above. Please bear in mind these are my opinions only and I appreciate these will differ markedly from supporter to supporter (and perhaps from week to week for some people). Indeed, rather than calling for players to leave, it's perhaps easier to say who we'd keep so from all those who have featured at least once this season (or nominally considered a first team player), I've highlighted those I'd keep in white and those out of contract (or on loan deals due to expire) in orange and those I'd try to move on in red. If I'm not fussy either way, I'll leave them as grey. For info, there are 37 players on the graphic above so I'd suggest we really need to decrease that number to closer to 30 for next season. After some consideration, from this squad of 37, I have only nine players I'd really want to keep and it may well be from those, Butland and Yilmaz could be sold to help finance any new signings leaving us with just seven players plus Tavernier and Goldson plus another seven fringe/youth players, meaning we'd need to sign at least 12 players in the summer if we accept returning loanees such as Hagi, Cifu and Lammers will also be moved on permanently. I would imagine both Diomande and Cortes will be retained (I think the former is already agreed) so that takes us down to 10. If possible, I'd also be happy to bring back Sima and would actually give a (suitable) extension to Lundstram. That takes us to eight players; not an unrealistic amount to sign in one window given we did the same last summer but it could be more difficult if fans really want rid of Tavernier, Goldson and Lundstram - three key/influential players whether we like it or not. Who would you have as our new captain from the right hand column of retained players? It's also worth noting the poor performance (and/or utilisation) of our youth system. Ross McCausland was a surprise, and arguably forced, addition to the starting XI earlier this season but he's struggled to maintain his position since whilst other highly thought of younger players like Leon King and Bailey Rice have been unable to force their way into the side. There are few others we could consider likely to do so in 2024/25 so I wouldn't expect any wonderkids to magically appear. If we look at the right column of the graphic and make some admittedly strong assumptions (though they are popular amongst a vocal element of the support) then you can see how weak our squad could be for next season. Only one inexperienced goalkeeper of note, only one centre-half of note, no left back and just three senior midfielders means it's only really the attacking area of the side that looks reasonably competent. And even that relies on Sima and Cortes returning from their initial loans with the latter and Danilo also regaining full fitness in short order for the season starting. To say the squad would be well short of the standard required and would need significant investment is somewhat of an understatement. With that in mind, it's clearly crucial that we maximise the quality of those that come in but nothing is certain there in terms of contribution. Long term injuries to Danilo, Dowell and Cortes over this season show one unpredictable and negative outcome whilst the rest of our recruitment last summer really was abysmal with only Butland, Sima and Dessers (to a limited extent in his case) offering any kind of positive return and none of them may be here next season! In conclusion, I'm as annoyed and disappointed as every other Rangers fan with recent let-downs and emotionally agree we need to start again in many areas of the squad. However, this article shows such emotion is difficult to apply in a constructive, team-building manner. It's also very, very expensive with no guarantees. Nevertheless, we cannot afford another poor window - both in financial and sporting terms so the pressure is definitely on the manager and scouting department to deliver substantial improvement in an affordable, innovative fashion. That is very much easier said than done... I don't disagree with the retained list but I just can't see how we shift Tav and Goldson outwith Saudi money. Both have 2 years left (criminal), legs have completely gone and have a really poor recent CV (post Seville). Although I am encouraged by the links we've had in the market in recent weeks. Qerfeld, Cordoba and Mofokeng are all players in markets we should be looking at at the right age profile too. Clement today saying we need to replace the experience that will be leaving is a nonsense though, the average age of the starting XI next season needs to come down by about 4 or 5 years compared to this - if that means it takes a couple of seasons to hit a groove and gel then so be it. And don't give me the pish that you don't win with youngsters either - Arsenal have a young team atm and are pushing City to the last day...but guess what? They'll get better and better. If there's Bosmans out there like Alzate or Ben Johnson to be done then by all means do it - but I want the actual transfer fee's spent on youth, athleticism and potential. Sellable assets basically. Hopefully this post makes sense. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutton_blows_goats 5,462 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 11 minutes ago, yuddie said: just can't see how we shift Tav and Goldson outwith Saudi money. We have given them stupid big contracts for players who had already peaked. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CammyF 8,375 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 Is our only hope that Celtic sign Harry Kane? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexscottislegend 2,375 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 On 10/05/2024 at 14:33, Rousseau said: Jaïro Riedewald is leaving Crystal Palace on the expiration of his contract. Left-footed CB (and played at DM for Palace) who came through the Ajax academy. Phil - 'Mon. You should be applying for the DoF job.... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rousseau 10,812 Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 3 minutes ago, alexscottislegend said: You should be applying for the DoF job.... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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