trueblueal

We aren't that far apart then tbh. I see Grezda as quick inside forward, Defoe as a poacher and Morelos has talent to do it all. I think it could work. To be fair we need to try something.

What do you suggest? Stick with Kent Morelos Candeias? He's doing it all himself up there just now

Not suggesting Morelos is failing, obviously he isn't. But as a team the 4-5-1 isn't working. I'm suggesting moving him 5-10 yards to the right of a forward 3 not playing him on the wing.

Because we are a failing team in our current setup? Our wingers don't contribute enough. Getting more direct players in the team who pose a goal threat will assist us overall. And he runs wide and wriggles/bullies his way back in to the box with regularity as it is anyway. He'll still score loads

He was only on for 9 minutes buy he made an impact. Right of a front 3.... I've been criticised for suggesting he should play there in a narrower 3 and ditch the wingers. I think he's shown he can defo do it. Grezda Defoe Morelos

That's his game, it's all he's ever done. He's not dynamic or forceful enough to get away with just keeping it tidy. If he was bullying opposition midfielders the playing a simple pass I'd say he has a role. He's a bit of a passenger truth be told. A midfielder who's influence is negligible

He's never been outstanding. He's a passable midfielder but not even top 10 in our league. He's watched a few Barry videos, he constantly comes deep, takes it from Goldson or Worral then remembers hes not Barry he's Ryan Jack. A couple of 5 yard passes later we are no further forward. Just let the defenders play a 5-10 yard pass wide themselves and actually try to influence the game in midfield.

Been saying for months, even during the Jack love in that we seemed to be having....he's just not a very good footballer. He's neat and tidy in a no risk football Jason Holt sort of way, however....he doesn't boss games, he's not particularly athletic, he's not quick, his passing is limited to short and safe, he can't create, he's not great in the air, he doesn't score many, he slows play down. I could find you a dozen Ryan Jack's. A steady Eddie who has no place as a sure starter in a proper Rangers team. Gerard has a blind spot for Jack and the sooner he realises that we need to replace him the better we will be.

I think much the same as you but reckon he will play him and let him try to show something. His quality is evident. I also think Halliday could play in midfield if Jack and Arfield are both out. Davis can't do 90 mins and hasn't earned his place in a battle against Killie. McGregor Tav Goldson Worrall Barisic Kamara McCrorie Halliday Morelos Defoe Kent

There is no chance in hell Gerard is going anywhere just now. I think he is building us nicely. We lack quality in some positions and with a few higher level signings rather than 12-15 ins we will be far better

My impression is that Barisic will play Saturday and Gerard wants to see some fire in him. He clearly has ability but needs to be more forceful and show some leadership.

If we have a budget of say 15 million with Morelos being sold it will be interesting to see what the pulling power of Stevie G really is. We have bought at the low end of the market until now. I think with Kamara, Jones, Hastie and Shinnie on frees and Rossiter to return fit we can spend that budget on 3-4 players and we really need them to work out. Wallace, Coulibaly, possibly Davis, Dorrans, Wes could go and all are on presumably first team wages. The replacements are proven in this league and presumably on less money. This is a big chance to take a jump in quality in key positions.

True and if any prospective buying clubs have been watching regularly they must wonder what the fuck is going on in this country

I initially laughed at the suggestion there was a racist or xenophobic element the decisions against Morelos. Now though I'm not so sure. He has been targeted by opponents, referees and the panel on a couple of occasions now have in my view wrongfully upheld unjust decisions against him. Buffalo brains from coke addled Colombia anyone? Mentions of his temperament at every chance. Little mention of the fact he's scythed in two regularly at the cost of a telling off or a yellow card where a red is the logical decision. The agenda was set. Pedro got the same thing, poor as he was. The funny foreigner routine where he was lampooned and his words twisted at every turn. Scottish football is an inbred hatefest

I disagree about Kamara. I think he's quite dynamic in that he wins the ball and covers ground with it. He is good at transitions. We do need a driving force but arguably he plays for us already. McCrorie could be our captain in the middle, next to Kamara with an Arfield replacement with more guile in summer. Rossiter has some excellent qualities as well as an alternative to Kamara or McCrorie, if he proves his fitness he could be the dynamic box to box player we are missing

Pedro got some awful ones too and the xenophobia was shocking. We need to stick with Gerrard and let him mould his team.

I think Gerard puts too much faith in Jack who plays whenever fit. I've never rated him. He starts too deep, playing nothing passes that the centre half could play himself and slowing things down. He isn't strong in the air, he isn't physical enough and he can't shoot. He isn't a guy who drives a team on. I'd have McCrorie with Kamara and Arfield if we are playing a 3.

Preudhomme

McGregor Tav Goldson new Shinnie/Barisic Arfield/new Kamara Rossiter New Defoe New I'm assuming Morelos goes and we stick with this formation since Gerard seems committed to it. Rossiter is our most talented midfielder when fit. If he sees this season out without injury I think he plays next to Kamara. An upgrade on Arfield would be good. Barisic needs to toughen up and stay fit or I could see Shinnie coming in to take his place as a low risk, cheap starter. Shinnie is a bit of an animal and free. I'd have him as left back and midfield cover tbh. We need a couple of higher class match winners up front. We are playing 4-5-1 just now, I'm not buying that it's 4-3-3. I don't think we will sign a number 10 because I don't think our formation allows for one. We should be playing 3 strikers instead of 1 and 2 wingers. We need a centre back who is a leader and captain material. We need a physical presence upfront as well as mobility, but they must be scorers, no more crossing to a lone striker. If Hastie signs I can see him being a suprise package and getting in our team often. He's big, strong, quick and has a powerful shot. He could be left of Defoe. I fear Jones is another non scoring waste of a buy. Grezda if he gets fit and wants it enough might surprise us. He could just as easily be gone by the end of the summer. So Morelos away and spend the money on a centre back, a midfielder and two inside forwards. All must be clear upgrades or we are going to struggle with too many ineffectual also rans. 4 key players at 3-4 million plus Shinnie and Jones on a free and we might look ok next year.

Shinnie is actually the sort of aggressive cant we lack. Well we have McCrorie bit he seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. If Barisic doesn't toughen up I could see Shinnie in there at left back

Which is wild because he should have 2 guys next to him. Its 4_5_1 we play.

On that note I'd almost be tempted to play Defoe on the middle, Lafferty left and Morelos right in a 3. Same solid, functional midfield

We are supposed to have a front 3. We don't. Unless our wide forwards play a bit narrower and find their shooting boots this is just a 4-5-1 totally reliant upon one player to score. Do Mane Firmino and Salah play like a 4-5-1? What style are we going for? Get 2 mobile strikers up next to Morelos and you might have a formation that works with this midfield. Just now we are a bit toothless when Morelos doesn't score

Goldson is passable and I agree that nothing is guaranteed, however, sign 4 players at 3-4 million or sign 4 players at 1-2 million and you must agree that the more you pay the better chance you have. We need quality. No more Jones type signings. Let's build some quality in.

McCrorie is the closest we have outfield to a captain. He's 100% effort all the time. McGregor is the captain without the band just now. Tav is a good attacking fullback but hes not a captain. His personality is laid back joker type. Give me a snarling cant all day long.