Up For Grabs

[ian1964 10,720]

By Andrew Dickson

 

WALTER SMITH has challenged several first-team stars to make the position on the left side of Rangers' midfield their own.

 

Lee McCulloch being chased by Michael HigdonLee McCulloch became the seventh Ibrox player to turn out on that flank in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice.

 

Kenny Miller, Kyle Lafferty, Charlie Adam, Aaron, Nacho Novo and DaMarcus Beasley are the six others to have occupied such a role to date.

 

Steven Whittaker, Chris Burke and the returning Steven Naismith, who made a scoring return to reserve action last week, can perform there too.

 

While Steven Davis has made the right-midfield position his own with some steady performances, Smith is disappointed the same hasn't happened across the park.

 

And although he knows each person he has deployed offers him something a little different, he is looking for somebody to establish themselves on that flank.

 

Manager Smith said: "As everyone keeps telling me at the moment, we have changed who plays in that position a few times over the season.

 

"But we have done it because different people give us different things. Naturally, I'd prefer to have someone settled in the position.DaMarcus Beasley

 

"There have been players who have come in there then got injured. DaMarcus, for instance, is a natural in that role but has been out with a couple of knocks.

 

"These are things we just have to put up with. We have made changes but we've been playing people who we feel have been best for certain circumstances.

 

"Hopefully we'll soon get to the stage where that starts to settle down and somebody becomes a regular in the team there."

[Frankie 8,552]

The simple fact of the matter is Smith was himself negligent in not buying a proper left midfield player for the position.

 

This part of our team has been neglected for a number of years now (since the days of McCann and Albertz) so while the players obviously have to take their share of the blame, the manager should bear the responsibility here.

[Gribz 846]

Aaron has had 20 mins if that against Hamilton!! Deserves more IMO

[calscot 0]

The simple fact of the matter is Smith was himself negligent in not buying a proper left midfield player for the position.

 

This part of our team has been neglected for a number of years now (since the days of McCann and Albertz) so while the players obviously have to take their share of the blame, the manager should bear the responsibility here.

 

He has brought in quite a few to add to the inherited Charlie Adam. Beasley, Thomson, McCulloch, Lafferty and Aaron had all played on the left at their previous clubs. Novo has also been able to fill in that role.

 

Naismith was also doing a decent job there before his injury.

 

The problem seems also to be that while Thomson has found a niche in the centre of the park, Naismith has been injured and Aaron has not been remotely ready for the step up until fairly recently the rest have all dramatically lost form and Lafferty has seemingly lost his ability to play there.

 

Beasley is surely the natural choice but post injury can't seem to find any form at all. Adam showed great promise but has not fulfilled his expected potential. Novo only seems to be able to play well there as an impact substitute. And Lafferty has been poor on the left since he arrived.

 

That just leaves Naismith and Aaron, both of whom are very large risks and probably need to be introduced as substitutes until they demonstrate they are up to SPL speed.

[Frankie 8,552]

Cal:

 

Only Beasley could really be considered a genuine left midfield player capable of playing there consistently. And even he has never really showed great quality (or consistency) in his career.

 

Lafferty, Novo and McCulloch are not left midfield players and while all three (plus Adam, Naismith and Aaron) may be useful deputies in emergencies we should have signed a genuine player for this position long before now.

 

Of course all the names players can play there. As could Whittaker and Steven Smith I'm sure but when you're playing in a position that isn't your natural one, you're lowering the chance of consistency and improvement.

 

As such, it's rather galling that the manager is complaining about something he's to blame for.

 

I'm quite frankly sick of the patronising nonsense coming out of our club from senior people.

[Super_Ally 0]

The only options i'd be remotely happy with are Novo, Aaron (wouldn't start him in the OF mind) and Adam!

 

Novo - Best option imo atm. Though most worry about consistency and ability to start matches, with an impact sub role preferred.

 

Aaron - Lacks experience and match sharpness, though surely deserves a shot. Can he be risked at home to Hibs? Probably. But he is unlikely to play the following week so would be better to give the OF starter game time.

 

Adam - Lacks mobility and questionable decision making at times. Capable of the sublime, but also the ridiculous. However often steps up to the plate in OF games and wont go hiding like, for example, Beasley.

 

Beasley - Flatters to deceive. Goes hiding. Has pace, but wont use it. Runs up to his opposite number before turning back and passing to Papac. Performed better in a recent home game (Hamilton) but I wouldn't trust him in more difficult games and when the going gets tough.

 

Lafferty - Never saw him at Burnley. Refuse to believe he can play LM. Doesn't look like he knows where he should be when playing the left flank.

 

Naismith - Just back from injury. Don't rush him a la Fergie.

 

McCulloch - Awesome early start, think Lyon. What's happened?

[calscot 0]

SA - Accurate synopsis of the players IMO.

 

Frankie - I see what you mean and agree.