robertkay

Alan, I thought my post was clear enough in saying it was my take on things? I don't claim to understand McCoists methods, which is the problem - they aren't clear enough. We are inconsistent in our approach and we play without a style. I was also quite clear that the problem isn't only McCoists, it's the players also. In fact I went as far to merge the two! If managers of other SFL clubs are picking us apart (and he's not wrong in anything he's said) and these guys need to have jobs outside of football to support their families and train twice a week, I don't understand how I could have put my thoughts in any clearer way? In fact Mr Willie Henderson said the exact same thing yesterday in the Argyle Suite in a chat with myself and my dad, is he wrong too? TruBlu, I find it hard to believe we don't have two strikers capable of playing in the Third Division, in fact I just plain disagree with it. And I didn't actually suggest a system we should play, If I did I would have opted for 4-3-3. I would also agree with JimBeam in that playing with more attackers would be a start in actually winning the ball higher up the pitch, because yesterday showed that it's too difficult to press with 1 attacker against 4 defenders (in the same way that the long ball rarely works in this division). My understanding of the current squad means we have many options for 2 attackers and even more for an attacker with 2 genuine wingers. We certainly do not need to have two central midfielders sitting as deep as they were yesterday. I would consider McKay, Naismith and Hemmings all as options for the ST role out of those who are currently fit and available.

If Ally needs any more nurturing and guidance then he wasn't listening when he was an assistant.

I know a lot has been made of Ally selecting one striker to play a Home match (in which we could have all but won the league), but this is only a small part of the problem in my opinion. The formation is only a small part of the "strategy", although it is the one many fans pick up on. Strategy SHOULD include a system, areas to exploit (opponents weaknesses), areas to cope and counteract (opponents strengths), playing style, tempo and alterations as well as being suitable to our own players strengths - essentially anything that is decided AND WORKED ON before the match and is dictated by the manager. Tactics are decisions made during the game BY THE PLAYER(S). Which side to pass the ball to and the type of pass, when defending whether to show inside to traffic or outside to the line. For me the problem is a double header in that Ally appears to set up a formation with no strategy. We don't play a particular way. Speaking to a colleague on a course recently who manages a Third Division club told me in person that Rangers key strength is their unpredictability. I.E our lack of playing philosophy. THAT is what sticks out for me, our best asset is how inept we are tactically. Being on the outside as fans means that we can only surmise that either A)Ally doesn't work on strategy in training or B)Our players aren't good enough tactically to handle changes in games. My suggestion is that it is a mixture of both. I believe Ally sets out to play the lone striker as a sort of target player, regardless of the player. For me, Hemmings (for example) is much more suited to running channels than challenging mercenaries in the air. Sandaza (when not being an arsehole) is more suited to balls to feet than "winning" flick ons. The players are also accountable. How many times when the ball was being passed did it just get bounced back? No one opened up to try and go forward and too many passes were flat or backwards. Why did we feel the need on many occasions to dribble 15 yards towards the person we were about to pass to? Why were our "wingers" so close to our fullbacks when "attacking" for most of the game? Nothing personal against Ally. He has been a legend and will remain so AS A PLAYER AND AMBASSADOR for the club, but I would make the change now and bring in a more suitable manager to make the most of this excellent chance to rebuild properly.

As mentioned above, ownership issues may arise. Nothing wrong with using it as a route to get out of here though and play in another league (if we are allowed eventually and want to take the option up at the time)

It's that lack of a consistent style which makes me disagree with this. He can bring in all the players he likes but if he doesn't direct them to playing a style (any style) then the result will, for me, be the same.

Hi guys, MY dad, who is also on the forum, is looking to buy a silk Rangers Scarf (which had the lion rampant as the emblem) as a gift for my granddad. I am wondering if anyone would have any idea where we could get one? Cheers

I agree that playing guys in their natural position(s) certainly helps but I still can't fathom why we don't play the ball from the back as standard? Delighted with the win obviously but not convinced that the lack of a style will serve us well as we progress through the leagues. Finishing on a positive, because we battered probably the second best team in the league, we scored some lovely goals and our passing middle to front looked much brighter yesterday.

In my opinion a much more fruitful and realistic target is to sign the best Scottish talent first. We do we with attracting some of the best youths in the Country to Rangers but there are inevitably some that are missed. As much as I know we are building a team for the premier league again (or for starting again in England) but I wouldn't discount the fact that in between times we need to win the divisions en route and that there are young players who could play well at this level. The boys Shankland and Connolly (tin hat) at QP are two examples of this type of player that may come on leaps and bounds working full time but at worst case scenario will do their bit in the meantime.

asks way too much of the wide players for my liking.

ive said this many times when the topic of youth development comes up but our youth department isn't as bad as is being made out. The players coming through are all capable of playing football properly it's the historic lack of first team opportunities andIt; their instructions when they get to the first team that is, generally, the problem. There are, of course, age groups that celt*c are better than us but that is par for the course and changes year on year. Our 2000's squad are one of the best in Europe having beaten Real Madrid 4-2 in a tournament last year and the 2001's look equally impressive with one kid in particular having the option of signing for no less than 6 top English clubs. It's worth noting that our U19's are perhaps weaker now than previously because of the larger number of players in and around the first team pool from this group. One thing I would add is that there is one U19 who we let go that is a particularly special talent and this one will come back to bite us.

I really hope your wrong with him being our main striker choice in the future but I also agree that some abuse has been OTT. I know he's been out for a while but a professional athlete should never allow their general fitness to deteriorate so much. Judging his playing ability, for me, will come when he's got himself fit enough to play

lol nah when it comes to results they definitely need to learn the hard way. The wee one that scored got a hi-5 from :mcculloch: pre-match....good day all in all for them lol

The two I'm in charge of hadnae been to a game before mate. Just easy to forget how young they are I reckon. We all know it's a laugh but they've no a clue

Was just about to start a status about this.....but my opinion obviously differs from most. Gotta say, found it atrocious to be booing 11 year olds (and younger). Maybe that's cause the two girls are in my community squad!!! The goalie's nowt to do wi me tho Seriously though...they're kids and were pretty confused why they were getting booed, adults understand it's in jest but kids don't and the wee one at the back didn't even want to take their turn. Embarrassing stuff guys

His touch yesterday when that headcase lunged into him with two feet was sublime! outside of the foot, spin on the ball - and then go collect the return! brilliant.

It depends how we are judging them? Both teams play long ball by default from U11s up and are two of the few teams who promote punting at 7 a side.

Based on the fact that maturation takes place at different times for different kids, I couldn't disagree with this more. What good is a fast winger who can't deliver into the box? (for example). Two 11 year olds, for instance, could have different "playing ages" their chronological and their developmental. What we need to do, which I beleive we are now more than ever, is look for capacity over capability. Above all, their talent or potential talent as a young footballer should always be the primary driver, not their physical capabilities. It is easier, with hard work, to develop a player physically than it is technically and tactically.

A large %, majority even, of this will go to the redevelopment of Lesser Hampden. The site is being re-constructed at the minute to provide an even better youth structure at the club. The price increase is understandable, but a sore one because it's just for us. If other teams took a support like ours then that would be the price every week. It costs more to run Hampden than it does any other 3rd division stadium (apart from the best Stadium in Scotland of course). I see first hand how much small clubs struggle, QP had to wait for a cup run to get a second mini bus for the youth department lol. Bear in mind that there are few paid staff at the club and players play for expenses so moving up the leagues is hard, even with this windfall.

A lecture I received at uni outlined a typical elite training week as: Sunday - Match Monday - Active Recovery Tuesday - 10-12 & 3-4:30 Wednesday - 10-12 & 3:4:30 Thursday - Off Friday - 10-12 & 3-4:30 Saturday - Travel to match, 1 coaches meeting and 2 team meetings Sunday - Match I assume from the training times and Sunday match it could be from a Spanish club. The lecturer has conducted studies on sports performance across Europe. Not all double sessions are physical but gym work is not included in the above.

I wouldn't even take his money if he turned up at the gate to watch!

lol no worries mate...im just slow

Don't see from your post how I was supposed to "click" that you were being sarcastic, given the number of ridiculous scenarios imagined by some in relation to this fixture?

They would most likely need to become a member of the club prior to the match. I'm sure they did that when they faced celt*c in the cup a few years back to ensure their allocation was going to their own fans.

After the topics of ownership of Hampden, monies to SFA etc coming up repeatedly in relation to Matches V Queen's Park I simply answered a post with a statement of fact.