Dunfermline 0 vs. Rangers 1 Jan. 21 2007

[Bazza 21]

A’DAM’ GOOD JOB

Two wins out of two now for Walter and co but this one wasn’t quite as convincing as the last. A Charlie Adam goal on 8 minutes was the only goal of, what was, a pretty scrappy game.

Two changes were made to the side with Prso, out with injury, replaced by Novo and Clement, out with illness?, replaced by debutant Weir. All started well as for twenty minutes we dominated the game and scored the goal but as we have seen over this season, we tend to take the foot off the gas and let other sides back in. The difference today though was that our back line had a more solid feel to it and although Dunfermline had some possession, they never really looked like scoring.

The Walter effect is still in a positive stage and if he can succeed in shoring up at the back, I’m pretty sure we have enough fire power up front to keep us solidly in second place, which for this season will be regarded as short term success.

Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Looking more vulnerable over the past few games but still made his mandatory spectacular save at the end. Cross balls seem to be his problem area but with more practise and training it is not something that can’t be rectified.

Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - very-good full backs display with a lot more attention on defending rather than attacking. In saying that he could have rounded off a good day with a cracking run from one end of the park to the other but he ran out of steam at the last hurdle.

Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM every so often he throws in a commanding display.)

Svensson: - Playing for his place again now with plenty speculation on another defender coming in and Webster regaining fitness. Looks to have developed a more aggressive manner since Walt took over. This can only be good.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

Weir: - Commanding in the air and looked an excellent foil for Svensson. Got caught a couple of times by trickery on the edge of the box but overall it was a relief to see someone with a bit of presence in the back four.

Rmed Verdict: - 8

Murray: - Like Hutton, he offered more at the back than he ever did going forward but that isn’t such a bad thing considering the clean sheet. Made some timely interventions but you feel that he’ll make way when Smith comes back.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

Burke: - The Burke of early last year has still to re-emerge as another game went by where he really didn’t get to grips with what’s going on. You could see a lot of the time what he was trying to do, but it just isn’t happening just now.

Rmed Verdict: - 5

Bazza: - Tried hard and controlled most of the game. He had a couple of good cracks at goal but they just weren’t going in today. Still a consistent performer and leads by example.

Rmed Verdict: - 8

Hemdani: - Moved back into his favoured midfield role and slipped back in effortlessly. Had a very controlled game and never wasted possession. Like Clement, he compliments Bazza very well.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

Adam: - Another game and another goal for a player who I think may lose his place if the likes of Gow and McCulloch appear at Ibrox. All he can do though is produce his best in each game and at the moment he is still first choice on the left.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

Novo: - The engine was still there, the trickery was still there but the finishing touches deserted him to a certain extent today. Had a great run and cross for the goal but the rest of the game just wasn’t on his side.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

Boyd: - Like Novo, nothing was quite falling for him. On another day he would have had a brace but today seemed destined, for all, to be in favour of the defences.

Rmed Verdict: - 6

Buffel (On for Burke): - He does cause problems and if Burke doesn’t smarten up Buffel may be back in the starting line up.

Rmed Verdict: - 5

Sebo (On for Novo): - Given a minute and a half. Not quite what you’re looking when you need a goal.

Rmed Verdict: - 3

Smith: - Will be very happy with two wins and two clean sheets in two games but will also no that he can’t get too carried away with what lies ahead.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

On another day we could have had a few goals but it was the defence that looked the stronger today and it has been a long time since we’ve been able to say that. It will be Hearts next week and I wonder if there will be any new signings to add to the squad by then…

WATP

Baz.

http://rangersmediamatchday.blogspot.com/