ibroxhero Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Originally posted by Andy "Muzza" Murray:Oh and Nacho deserves a new contract with us, always useful to come off the bench and the lad always gives 100% and plays with great passion Espeially if that's the £10m goal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudagar Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Seriously think I'm falling in love with Cuellar, that gazza esque lob over their striker . If only Weir was ten years younger we'd have a formidable centre defence partnership for several years. Crucial win. Tie far from over though, Red Star do have some nifty players. Beasley needs to put on another two stone, far too lightweight but hopefully he'l adapt himself for the SPL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerrski Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Thank god for that. Were crying out for an attacking midfielder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchoz_6 Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 The end might justify the means, but Smith's tactics at home were extremely poor. Not the first time I've said that after a European tie. Novo saved his blushes big time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 how the **** did we jam that? old man Walter will be happy though, he can play 4-5-1 for 90 minutes in Belgrade now embarassing atmosphere, no cheering/singing till a goal was scored but it is Ibrox I guess - although they suffer from the same I really wish Walter would stop playing 4-5-1 though, it's mind-numbing and boring, but if we can jam it through rounds like this, then I guess I'm happy enough BBC Scotland deciding a picture of London is more interesting than listening to hearing about Walter's tactics no idea how good Red Star are to be honest, they hardly got near our goal, seemed comfortable enough with the ball - hacking chodes though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peacemaker7 Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Well I said way back that Cuellar would be a great player for us and so far he continues to prove it. The guy is just something else. Agree with Henchoz though, overall a poor performance, I think what 2 mibbe three shots on goal? Has Walter become so obsessed with not losing a home goal that he has forgotten that we also need to score a few. OK, we got one in the end, happy with that. Gonna be tough in Belgrade though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzzza Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 I really am so glad we brought Cuellar in now, i didn't know much about him and wasn't sure why we were SO keen on him but boy has he settled in quickly. Liked the look of Cousin today as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Toner Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 I <3 Cuellar 20's all around Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Originally posted by Gary Toner:I <3 Cuellar 20's all around Carlos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haz Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 0-0 wouldn't have been a disaster but nicking the goal at least forces them to come at us a bit in the second leg, and whilst I reckon they can step it up a few gears no problem I fancy us to score there. Thomson was fantastic tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vidmar14 Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 I'm sorry guys, i've seen Cousin play 2* 20 mins for us and i'm quite confident he is the awesomeness right there. Cuellar <3 JCD is a wee powerhouse!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladle Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 How many yellows did Red Star end up with? Seven? Bunch of tramps Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sav112 Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Agreed Cuellar looks fantastic, I only knew about him as he was one of my players in a clan game! If Walter can bank the CL money then I think he will go out and get a partner for Cuellar. Got to love Wee Novo , off the bench to save the day. We might see JCD and Cousin play together one of these days. I’d probably pair up Novo with Cousin and JCD with Boyd and rotate them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Ter Posted August 14, 2007 SI Staff Share Posted August 14, 2007 Still not convinced that Darcheville is the answer. Doesn't look to offer much and his pace doesn't seem as good as it was hyped up to be. Thought Beasley played a bit better today. What the others have said about Cuellar and Thomson though, outstanding! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Toner Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 5 games 5 wins 9 goals and none conceded. Not pretty but effective. I don't like the lone striker but Darcheville like Boyd needs a partner. The little chest downs, lay-offs and running at the defence only for no one to be near him with a partner, a consistent partner he'll shine. Cousin and Darcheville ftw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Toner Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Oh and for the love of God and I hate to keep harping on about it. A proper creative attacking midfielder please Walter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronla Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 aye i completely agree, we need a playmaking midfielder, i'm hopin walter isn't counting on Buffel, but yeah we still need a dl (please god, i don't want to see broadfoot there again!, and we all know about smith and murray) amc (everyone has been stressing the need for this) Am i the only one wants to see Webster partner Cueller instead of Weir? Weir has been solid, but his lack of pace will screw us over soon enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie Posted August 15, 2007 Author Share Posted August 15, 2007 Time to move forward not look back... Already, much has been written about the start of the season. Some of it is based on our reasonable start; some of it on the challenges we continue to face; and some of it understandably on past issues. What disappointments me most of all is the continued theme of negativity throughout a lot of the online forums. While one can empathise with these feelings, I think it’s time we tried to move on from the last 2 years of non-success and the last 7 years of inconsistency. Obviously, although that in no way means we should be ignoring the continuing problems we face in some areas, I’m firmly of the opinion positivity breeds success and such an attitude can only help our club. Let’s look at matters on the park first. Ten new signings, 5 decent results and 5 clean sheets resulting in our early position at the top of the SPL and an increased chance of our progression to the financial pot of the Champions’ League rainbow. Considering the number of new players, the short summer of rest and the fact we lost out on a few targets, all in all it’s a satisfying start. Obviously, it’s not without its concerns. Walter’s tactics continue to be best described as overly cautious, the team are playing too deep (especially at Ibrox) and the lack of a genuine creative player is all too evident. However, in this bear’s opinion, the good far outweighs the bad. Our central defence looks as solid as it’s been since the days of Richard Gough. Carlos Cuellar appears to be a better version of Jean-Alain Boumsong and David Weir gives the aura of an experienced teacher lending his skills and discipline to the younger players. Alan Hutton and Allan McGregor continue their development and both being called up by Scotland highlights their consistency. Sasa Papac has also contributed very well to our decent start and while Kirk Broadfoot has been less assured, he’s coped well with being thrust into the pressure cauldron of the CL qualifiers at both right and left full back. In midfield, we’ve seen much flexibility. Our wide players seem agreeably interchangeable and while creativity is certainly short; we do seem able to enforce our play more effectively in the latter periods of games. Organisation and hard work seems the key here and although frustration can result for the fans, discipline and patience is as much a part of football as gung-ho attack. Kevin Thomson goes from strength to strength; Barry Ferguson and Brahim Hemdani bring their usual composure while DaMarcus Beasley and Nacho Novo have made chances and scored goals from deeper areas. Last and certainly not least, the much maligned signing of Lee McCulloch has shown that the big man’s industry and commitment all over the pitch will serve us well for the next 2 years. Up front is less clear at this stage. It appears that all our strikers appear to be struggling with the lone striker role as well as finding an understanding when 2 forwards are actually deployed. Kris Boyd is short of confidence and Jean-Claude Darcheville works hard with few rewards though fortunately, Daniel Cousin has shown that he seems to have the right mix of target-man, pace and finishing qualities to get the nod. Certainly, our conservative outlook to our tactics and formations hasn’t helped the development of our forward line. With time I’m confident that will come. All in all, our signings have started well enough and while their reputations are mainstream rather than spectacular, we should be encouraged at how they’ve gelled quickly and helped attain this decent start. Not to mention the likes of Webster, Whittaker and Gow who have not yet had their chance to impress. Off the pitch, well, we’ll start with investment first. The playing squad needed £10million spent on it and we seem to be approaching that figure. Indeed, I’d imagine qualification for the CL Group Stage will see another 2 signings. A much needed creative influence (despite the returning Buffel) and another left-back (if the rumours about Stevie Smith’s lack of progress are to be believed) should be the main targets. While none of us have reason to trust David Murray, he does deserve praise for belatedly matching the support’s ambitions. One just wonders why this didn’t happen last summer. Perhaps, given PLG’s poor transfer market performance, it’s just as well for our finances he didn’t receive the same kind of kitty. Unfortunately, the spectre of sectarianism reared its ugly head again 2 weeks past. While the matter was again sensationalised and exaggerated by parts the media, it was good to see the Rangers fans (via the Trust, Assembly and Association) unequivocally condemn the minority of yobs with the offensive add-ons. Given the progress our wonderful support has already made in the battle against bigotry, I’ve no doubt we’ll continue to show our detractors that we can win this war and give those of other clubs who have similar problems food for thought in their own fights. Thus, with the club AGM being held next Thursday, the board will be feeling a bit more confident of facing the shareholders. Let them not rest on their laurels though. Much improvement is still required at the club and 5 good results and even CL qualification should not hide that. Whilst this article urges a positive outlook, the chairman and the board of directors must invoke further decisive change at our club. Firstly, changes at board level must be sought. The debt has risen again and some directors appear bereft of ideas to change this. John McLelland, Dave King and Alistair Johnston should be doing much more to innovate, invest and improve all aspects of the club. If they can’t, it’s time they were replaced. We have several talented high net worth fans here in Scotland who have shown through their own business operations that they can provide this outlook. Are they ready to step up to the plate? Similarly, it’s imperative that the club appoints a fan to the board at last. While reasonable dialogue has been ongoing in recent times, rhetoric and open-ended commitments must be turned into real supporters’ representation. A democratically elected executive board member is an important stage to the fans being more involved in the decision-making of the future. Given our tremendous loyalty and unwavering financial commitment of the last 135 years, our rightful place at the table must be offered. Other challenges remain as well. Our PR continues to be well below average and our marketing and branding unacceptably poor despite the financial considerations of the JJB deal. We must also consolidate on our under 19s successes of last year and look to improve our training facilities and youth system to match the very best in the world. If Hibs can bring through and make millions on young Scottish talent, then so can we. Rangers are the world most successful club – do we want to keep that proud record? Thus it’s from the top of the league and off the back of a good home result against a dangerous Red Star team that I issue this rallying call. Yes, let’s ensure the relevant questions about the running of the club are still asked vociferously. Yes, let’s ensure the players (new and old) are aware of what we expect from them. Yes, let’s ensure the manager is constructively criticised to aid improvement. But, let’s start to look forward – not back. If we don’t do that, we start to put the positives in shadow, the light will fail and the vultures will circle again. Rangers are the proudest, most successful team in Scotland. Our fans are second to none – to none – and we seem to be emerging from a dark, dark time slowly but surely. None of us want to repeat the last couple of years. We want a brighter future and we want to be the best. Let’s show it by being positive and concentrating not on the negatives but by doing what we do best – being loyal; being proud; being steadfast and being supportive. We are the people! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavinkil Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Leave KING broadfoot alone type of player we have needed for a while just someone to sit on the bench and play whatever position he is required to. Just like john o'shea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Ter Posted August 15, 2007 SI Staff Share Posted August 15, 2007 Am i the only one wants to see Webster partner Cueller instead of Weir? Weir has been solid, but his lack of pace will screw us over soon enough. What? 5 games, 5 clean sheets! Yeah, let's change the defence. Goodness me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sav112 Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Talk about Doom and gloom, a mad Celtic Fan who does not miss a home game apart from giving birth that is has already conceded the Title. Granted the Gers are looking the best they have been for a good few season but its early days. She feels Celtic are going to be rubbish this season and she knows Celtic….. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerFurball Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Originally posted by Gary Toner:Oh and for the love of God and I hate to keep harping on about it. A proper creative attacking midfielder please Walter 4. Thomas Buffel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovenkrands01 Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Originally posted by GingerFurball:<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Gary Toner: Oh and for the love of God and I hate to keep harping on about it. A proper creative attacking midfielder please Walter 4. Thomas Buffel </div></BLOCKQUOTE> He said a proper creative midfielder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1873 Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Buffel has had his chance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Ter Posted August 15, 2007 SI Staff Share Posted August 15, 2007 Buffel has had his chance I would tend to agree, but it would be interesting to see how he performs in a team with more hard working players in it freeing him up to do, er, creative stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Ter Posted August 15, 2007 SI Staff Share Posted August 15, 2007 Haha, now I have a mental image of Buffel in the middle of the park doing a nice painting while play continues all around him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Toner Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 The thing is without a proper creative midfielder all a team has to do is stop Ferguson and they stop 90% of our play. Especially with Hemdani and Thomson neither of them are going to get beyond the striker. 442 ftw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovenkrands01 Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 haha. He's a lazy git, simple as that. I was talking to some Dutchies the other day about him. They were surprised Rangers paid the money they did for him. He wasn't even a first team regular. Would probably be like us selling Adam to Feyernoord. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Nice Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Originally posted by Gary Toner: check your email Gaz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorg Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Very good post Frankie, sums everything up quite nicely. The thing that has pleased me the most with the start to the season is the effort and hard work. While we are not playing superb football there is an obvious desire and will to win which we didn't see for most of last season. The determination not to concede is good to see and that has been mainly down to the partnership between Weir and Cuellar and will serve us very well in away leg against Red Star. If we make it through to the CL then tactics will have to change because we will need to go for the points. All in all, a good start to the season and reason for optimism. A quick mention to Celtic as well, superb result for them last night and we hopefully see two Scottish sides in the CL! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrazT Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Originally posted by GP1873:Buffel has had his chance Buffel is undoubtedly an enigma- he had his chance last year in an underperforming team and looked good in Eurpe and not so good domestically. As long as he is still on the books, he deserves a chance to show what talent he has, under a new manager and different teammates. Look at Papac for example- no one rated him last year and this year is has become an integral part of the team and one of the more consistent performers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1873 Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 You could be correct FrazT, but my personal opinion of the guy is not great. For the money we paid for him, he has given nothing back to the team. You could count with one hand the amount of decent games he has had for us. I have a feeling DaMarcus Beasley will go the same way Buffel has gone, and for me that is because they are far too lightweight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
underwater sunlight Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 Originally posted by Vidmar14:<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by underwater sunlight: how often do you see a title being won with the top scorer getting 10-15 goals? granted im sure its happened on more than one occasion, but it is definately not a common occurance. boydy has been pish so far, but its a new season, with new team mates and it is difficult to settle. especially with his style of play. im glad he has been dropped for tonights game, but when he starts scoring then we really need that sort of person. nacho and dado did it helicopter sunday? </div></BLOCKQUOTE> true. im not saying that it doesnt happen, but is not a common scenario. im sure if you look all around europe, the majority of the teams winning the trophies have a high scoring striker. frankie - well spoken. there are a lot of positives this season, despite the negativity, however there is definately a long way to go. we should expect more from the suits running the club. murray has put his hand in his pocket and we have to appreciate the fact that he has spent money this season, but a club of our statur can make more money surely, and that should be the responsibility of our directors and other top brass. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sav112 Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 fs was that even a min on the clock..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 52 seconds it was, Kooooozan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibroxhero Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Perfect Start Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sav112 Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Novo on from the start as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sav112 Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Boyd and Jean-Claude on the bench itching to get on and score cant be a bad thing. Novo will score I’m sure before Boyd replaces him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethedog Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 What is the deal with Webster? Is he allowed to play for you now, just I can't recall even having seen him on the bench. I reckon, along with Russell Anderson he is Scotlands best defender when fit and playing matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 I think he was suspended from the first two this season, but because of the U21 rule he and players like Adam are sitting in the stand thought Webster was going to play today though, but Broadfoot is on the bench and Weir/Cuellar are the starters Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 2-0, Steven Whittaker rifling the ball in he's been very lively since the start of the game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibroxhero Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Debut goal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerrski Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 whittaker Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Wilson Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Originally posted by TM:I think he was suspended from the first two this season, but because of the U21 rule he and players like Adam are sitting in the stand Surely that's a good thing? Got 4-0 in the predictions, some 2 more then stop please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sav112 Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Originally posted by stevethedog:What is the deal with Webster? Is he allowed to play for you now, just I can't recall even having seen him on the bench. Read he has had to sit out for 14 days! Uefa. Think todays was the first match he could have played. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 2-1, 35 yarder from Riera Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibroxhero Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Sounds like we conceded a cracker. Right on half time too On the plus side McGregor's clean sheet bonus can go towards reducing our debt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sav112 Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 is it just me or did that 45 mins go by like lightning Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sav112 Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 3-1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Kooooozan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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