Rangers go backwards when they go forwards! John Gow

[scarkev 3,540]

Dont think any sensible person could disagree with very much of this by JG.

What do you say to a 2-1 defeat at Ibrox against Annan Athletic? Well, plenty as it happens. But first it must be made clear the opposition thoroughly deserved their win. This was no hit-and-run from the Galabankies and that as much as anything should worry Rangers fans. They simply played the Light Blues off the park.

There was a lack of fight, athleticism, skill and tactical awareness and players who are paid thousands of pounds per week struggled to even trap and pass the ball. Once again Rangers resorted to the long game, but worse, most were not even lumped into the danger area. More than once the ball was kicked anywhere by defenders and midfielders who seemed to believe there was something wrong with looking up and finding another player with a simple pass.

Here is a typical Rangers move that is burned into the brain: Neil Alexander gets the ball in hand and instead of rolling it out to his defence, he waves them up and punts it. The opposition win the header and knock it to a Rangers defender. He looks up, and seeing no movement, gives up and he, too, hits a long hopeful ball. When it finally falls from the clouds two or three opposition players outjump the solitary Gers striker while those in the stand pull hair out in frustration -- sometimes their own.

The questions repeatedly asked by the Ibrox crowd are why the Rangers manager allows them to play like that week after week with little change? If you are a fourth-tier footballer you want to play a physical game against more skillful players. The very last thing you want is for Rangers to attack with width, pace and movement. Ally McCoist should be screaming at them to do this yet they give away all their advantages and play to the strengths of others.

I know everyone who watches football thinks they are better than the guy in the dugout, but this isn't nuanced tactics. If McCoist is instructing his players to play like this, then he will not be manager in 2015. If he isn't then, they aren't listening to him and he needs to be stronger with them or they don't play. No nice guy routine.

For his playing career and what he did for Rangers in 2012 the Gers boss is still rightly thought of as one of the greatest Ibrox men of all time and that won't change, but there is no time for anything but ruthlessness when it comes to the Rangers job and it worries me that he does not know how much the stock of 'the manager Ally McCoist' has sunk among the fans.

They see a wasted year where they could have laid the foundation of a forward-thinking footballing philosophy and instead have the worst football ever seen at Ibrox. It's valid for him to say that this team isn't the one he would choose if the transfer ban wasn't a factor or there wasn't the financial calamity in the summer, but his team should be destroying everything in SFL3. It's still in McCoist's control for his side to be fitter, sharper and play better passing football with tempo than part-timers or amateurs.

It wasn't the transfer ban that saw Rangers' top striker Andy Little move to the left wing so he could be completely wasted. It wasn't last year's financial disaster that saw his football team launch straight balls into orbit for them to come down on players like Fran Sandaza who need the ball at angles to his feet. It's no one else's fault that Annan Athletic had more desire and fought harder (and even looked fitter) after Rangers scored, to the extent the home side genuinely looked as if they were playing with nine men, such was the disjointed play and huge holes in defence.

There needs to be a proper footballing strategy for the future as this game-by-game shambles is not good enough. It looks like the last eight months have been largely wasted, but what's done is done, and there is still time to act positively and with intelligence. If they don't and enter 2016 with 30-year-old-plus new signings on bloated wages who play anything like this season, then it will be more than a missed opportunity for Rangers FC -- it will be a travesty.

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/rangers/id/3867?cc=5739

[five stars 1,767]

Have to agree with most of that. But we are still going to win the league at a canter. Annan looked hungrier, fitter and better organised, they deserved their win.

[Christchurch Rangers 1,229]

bang on the money with that post

"There needs to be a proper footballing strategy for the future as this game-by-game shambles is not good enough. It looks like the last eight months have been largely wasted, but what's done is done, and there is still time to act positively and with intelligence. If they don't and enter 2016 with 30-year-old-plus new signings on bloated wages who play anything like this season, then it will be more than a missed opportunity for Rangers FC -- it will be a travesty."

Rangers players need to lose their sense of hubris cos they are being shown up week in week out for what they really are at the mo

[scarkev 3,540]

Have to agree with most of that. But we are still going to win the league at a canter. Annan looked hungrier, fitter and better organised, they deserved their win.

This is the biggest concern for me....how can a part time team look fitter, hungrier and more organised than a full time team and not just any team at that! They did deserve their win today and another worry is they played much better football than us today....Annan athletic outplayed rangers! Never thought I'd say that!

[bornabear 6,275]

Nobody can argue with that. so let's analyse what's wrong.

What I saw at Ibrox this afternoon was worse than atrocious, just pumping high balls down the park is not what I pay to see.

The opposition defender has an 80% chance of getting the ball and we are soon on the backfoot again.

We were outplayed, simply because, Annan kept the ball on the ground and passed it about (that's why it's called FOOTball).

The team seem to have the "all we have to do is turn up" attitude and don't appear the have a plan B when needed.

Today's performance (as in recent weeks), has got to change, Alexander has to stop punting the ball at every opportunity,

as do our defenders... we have to start playing the ball out of defence, as, 1. it will push their forwards on the back foot and

2. by playing it on the ground means keeping the ball... you can't score if the other team has the ball.

Our midfield needs to sharpen up and the forwards need to start moving about, giving the guy on the ball options.

Players being played out of position is wrong for both the player and the team as a whole.

I remember the words of my first coach..." Football is an easy game, that's why kids play it".

MON RANGERS, TIE UP THIS TITLE IN STYLE

[scarkev 3,540]

I think we really need to press a good 10 yards further forward. We allow these teams to play football by standing off them and our defence and central mid sits too deep which affects us both in a defensive and transitional sense as we seem incapable of breaking quickly and maintaining possession in attacking areas.

We need to start playing natural wide players and playing players in their own positions...it was so noticeable today how few options we offered one another whilst in possession and it was easy for Annan!

Our players are lazy and go not work hard enough off the ball either closing down or to create space....the buck stops with ally and I am losing faith but at the same time the players are a disgrace and the majority need to have a real look at themselves!

[scarkev 3,540]

Double post

[koala bear 25]

We need a new rule ----- any player who punts the ball more than 50feet gets fined 500 quid for each punt

[Loyal-Bear 229]

Spot on and fucking frightening performance today. Also wasnt best pleased by the after match interview. Tha bad performances dont seem to matter.

[Skip 13]

Dean Shiels, Black, Tepmleton and Sandaza were all decent SPL players they don't just become bad players over night clearly inept management and coaching

[TheWee BlueDevil 222]

Have to agree with most of that. But we are still going to win the league at a canter. Annan looked hungrier, fitter and better organised, they deserved their win.

That is one of the most worrying aspects of our team, why can we not compete with part-time sides? Hats off to Annan but I want and expect teams coming to play at Ibrox to be scared witless because they know the are going to be under the cosh for 90+ minutes.

That has not been the case at all this season, Ibrox currently holds no fear for any team at any level. It seems they all rather enjoy coming to Ibrox to play football. That just should not be!

P.S. I thought early on in the season Black could be a half decent player for us. How wrong was I? All he does is give away stupid free kicks and yap at at refs. Total disappointment.

[Iron Curtain 60]

Difficult to envisage any improvement prior to next season. If anything it will be incremental - nothing to suggest we are going to turn any corners ability wise until we add to the squad. I would like to see us go for decent first division pro's and a few older heads from the SPL - nothing flashy and certainly not the likes of Bikey who will cost us a small fortune and I believe probably kb a move for a better offer making us look a tad vulnerable, just as Whyte did during his 'pursuit' of playes we couldn't actually afford.

& If we are being honest it appears other coaching units have had a good look at us and have now easily figured Ally out as opposed to the other way around, he is being made to look foolish and rather ignorant by results like today - it's just not comfortable viewing and I wonder what communication takes place between our scouts and coaching staff regarding upcoming 3rd div opposition.

[dummiesoot 16,288]

Unfortunately a very good and accurate article.

A few things spring to mind:

Not pressing the ball high enough up the pitch - yup used see threads about that under Walter.

Playing the long ball - yup used to see threads about that under Walter.

Being out played and passed off the park by 'inferior' opposition - guess what? Yup used to see threads about that under Walter.

Every man back to defend corners and freekicks- hmmm let me see I am sure we complained about that under Walter.

Playing players out of position - even during 9 in a row we complained about that.

Every now and then we get a football performance worthy of Rangers - Yup same under Walter.

Sad to say coz i am trying to back Ally to the hit but he is not his own man. He is a mini Walter with worse players. Experienced Players that have played in teams not expected to win every trophy they have ever competed for. Young guys still finding their foothold in the game.

Same tactics same philosophy much worse team. Ally needs to change it, who wants to watch that pish every week when we are not winning.

[loyalfollower 1,543]

well did i pick the worst week to get back online??? its absolutley disgraceful and there is no excuse for being outplayed by this pish, cos if were being honest thats what they are. its not like an fa cup tie where we`ve got a crop of seasoned pros on 100 grand a week that cant handle being kicked off the park. we`re being played off the park at times.

look at last weeks game for example. we struggled against a side thats just lost 9-1. As for ally,well, i think he should be gone in the summer. im sick of hearing him say unacceptable week after week, when the evidence is there every other saturday that ally cant correct whats wrong with his team. worst result ever but sadly comes with no surprise.

[nachothelegend 1,932]

I think we really need to press a good 10 yards further forward. We allow these teams to play football by standing off them and our defence and central mid sits too deep which affects us both in a defensive and transitional sense as we seem incapable of breaking quickly and maintaining possession in attacking areas.

We need to start playing natural wide players and playing players in their own positions...it was so noticeable today how few options we offered one another whilst in possession and it was easy for Annan!

Our players are lazy and go not work hard enough off the ball either closing down or to create space....the buck stops with ally and I am losing faith but at the same time the players are a disgrace and the majority need to have a real look at themselves!

I am disgusted by Ally Playing this 4-2-3-1 in the 3rd Div I know people will say all the Big Teams Play it and its an attacking set up , well I disagree because 2 of our Midfeilders are Playing Defensively and sitting back which means we have 6 Defensively thinking Players.

4-4-2 is much more suited to us at Ibrox ,and shows your Intent as you mean to Attack the oppostition. Which is what we should be doing through link up Play from Defence to Midfield to Attack.

None of this sitting Deap at Home shit , and punting it Long to The oppositions Centre Backs who just eat everything Up .

One Striker up with the Rest playing behind him is shit.

We need a striking Partnership up front ,that way it give the opposition something to worry about .

Ditch the 2 Defensive Midfield Players and Play them in an attacking 4-4-2 . We are Rangers and have better Players at the Price we Pay them.

If they cant follow those Instructions and Play in this system then we need to Coach them to Play in an attacking System which is Football on the Ground .

If they wont do this drop them and rotate the Squad.

[nachothelegend 1,932]

I am disgusted by Ally Playing this 4-2-3-1 in the 3rd Div I know people will say all the Big Teams Play it and its an attacking set up , well I disagree because 2 of our Midfeilders are Playing Defensively and sitting back which means we have 6 Defensively thinking Players.

4-4-2 is much more suited to us at Ibrox ,and shows your Intent as you mean to Attack the oppostition. Which is what we should be doing through link up Play from Defence to Midfield to Attack.

None of this sitting Deap at Home shit , and punting it Long to The oppositions Centre Backs who just eat everything Up .

One Striker up with the Rest playing behind him is shit.

We need a striking Partnership up front ,that way it give the opposition something to worry about .

Ditch the 2 Defensive Midfield Players and Play them in an attacking 4-4-2 . We are Rangers and have better Players at the Price we Pay them.

If they cant follow those Instructions and Play in this system then we need to Coach them to Play in an attacking System which is Football on the Ground .

If they wont do this drop them and rotate the Squad.

I personally don't think Ally, Durrant, and McDowell are the Men for this Job.Amongst others at MP

[bombaybadboy08 15,660]

Brilliant article.

[JCS 649]

Good, well reasoned article - completely mirrors my feelings over the season and, particularly, after the debacle yesterday. It is a very rare occassion when i leave a game early, but yesterday I just couldn't watch it any more - I was utterly disgusted. As I walked back to the WRC I was thinking to myself - this is Annan Athletic we're playing; thank God it wasn't the Mhanks!

[Edmiston Drive 3,846]

Great thread.

Everyone would have to agree, manager picks players to play to a formation chosen by the manger.....Yes or No?

Ok, you answer yes, so our teams performances would indicate Ally is not got a clue.

You answer no, so why are players picked and why are substitutions are not made a lot earlier into the game.

Does the above sound simple............well that's football.

[scarkev 3,540]

Great thread.

Everyone would have to agree, manager picks players to play to a formation chosen by the manger.....Yes or No?

Ok, you answer yes, so our teams performances would indicate Ally is not got a clue.

You answer no, so why are players picked and why are substitutions are not made a lot earlier into the game.

Does the above sound simple............well that's football.

Richard Wilson has a decent and fair evaluation of our performances in today's herald....would link it but its behind a pay wall it seems...still amazes me the excuses some still make and the question of loyalty is brought up against those who aren't happy after what we have witnessed now for 8 months!

[bombaybadboy08 15,660]

Richard Wilson has a decent and fair evaluation of our performances in today's herald....would link it but its behind a pay wall it seems...still amazes me the excuses some still make and the question of loyalty is brought up against those who aren't happy after what we have witnessed now for 8 months!

Courtesy of FF.

The debate over the status of this Rangers side is redundant.

It does not matter how the team compares to its predecessors when it is so bereft against opponents who had not even won in seven games under their new manager. The Ibrox crowd expressed its discontent bluntly, and a performance lacking any redeeming features wasn't worthy of the commitment and faith the fans have shown this season.

Rangers were exposed to some harsh truths, although few of them would have been unexpected. Anxious in defence, lacking dynamism or guile in midfield, and one-dimensional in attack, this was a grim reminder that a team put together on the second highest wage budget in the country is desperately lacking.

There was no need to reach for perspective to try to understand how poor this display was. Even circumstances would not provide consolation. Rangers had a disrupted pre-season, but it is now March. There are some youngsters in this Rangers squad, but also SPL-calibre players.

"They know that level of performance was unacceptable," said McCoist. "You can sometimes take a defeat if you have been unlucky, but that wasn't the case. It wasn't good enough.

"Everybody is playing for their future, including the coaching and management staff. There were players who didn't perform to the standards expected at this club.

"This is a difficult place to play sometimes, but you've got to find something within yourself to get through it when the performances aren't up to standard."

Rangers were outplayed by part-time opposition, with the best player on the pitch being Annan's forward, David Hopkirk, who was also more composed and imaginative than any of his opponents. Annan deserved their victory, there was no siege of their goal, no breathtaking saves by their goalkeeper, just a calm, ordered, assured and competent performance. "We just wanted it more," said Hopkirk

Rangers are suffering from a malaise. The tempo of their play lacked the urgency or decisiveness to trouble Annan. Visitors to Ibrox will always be wary, but rather than take advantage of that caution, the pedestrian nature of Rangers' display allowed their opponents to settle into the game. Annan had lost their last away fixture 5-1 at Montrose, and one former professional observer who has watched them regularly remarked before kick-off that he expected them to lose heavily given their recent poor displays.

The home side lacked the wherewithal to take command. That ought to cause McCoist consternation, and he was constantly agitated on the touchline. He was not alone, since the home support became increasingly disgruntled and booed the team off at half-time. By then, Annan had created one clear chance, that David Murray could not finish with enough power to beat Neil Alexander.

For the second consecutive home game, Rangers only revealed the full extent of their flaws. This was confirmation of some painful truths. By playing Little and Kal Naismith on the opposite flanks they are normally used to – presumably for them to cut inside and leave space for overlapping full-backs, who were seldom that far forward – Rangers lacked width.

Too much of their attacking play became concentrated in the centre, just in front if Annan's penalty area. The visitors defended this space with relative ease.

This was a tactical feature, rather than the root cause of Rangers' hapless efforts. It was only when the home side fell two goals behind that desperation raised the energy and purpose of their game.

Even that petered out once Little had scored with a header from close range after Fran Sandaza's shot had been deflected into his path.

Annan were briefly stretched, but their resolve held. Put under pressure, they reverted to a confident, poised approach. Even the interval did not disrupt Annan, since only three minutes of the second half had passed when Daniel Orsi pulled away from Lee Wallace then crossed for Ally Love to steer a backheel past Alexander.

There was impudence to the finish, but this was a victory based on reliable qualities. Annan used their width to good effect, and when Murray left Chris Hegarty in his wake, he delivered the ball to the back post for Hopkirk to convert.

"We came with a gameplan to play positive football, I wanted them to demonstrate what they're capable of," said Jim Chapman, the Annan manager. "There are not many teams, at any level, that will come to Ibrox and win.

[scarkev 3,540]

Courtesy of FF.

The debate over the status of this Rangers side is redundant.

It does not matter how the team compares to its predecessors when it is so bereft against opponents who had not even won in seven games under their new manager. The Ibrox crowd expressed its discontent bluntly, and a performance lacking any redeeming features wasn't worthy of the commitment and faith the fans have shown this season.

Rangers were exposed to some harsh truths, although few of them would have been unexpected. Anxious in defence, lacking dynamism or guile in midfield, and one-dimensional in attack, this was a grim reminder that a team put together on the second highest wage budget in the country is desperately lacking.

There was no need to reach for perspective to try to understand how poor this display was. Even circumstances would not provide consolation. Rangers had a disrupted pre-season, but it is now March. There are some youngsters in this Rangers squad, but also SPL-calibre players.

"They know that level of performance was unacceptable," said McCoist. "You can sometimes take a defeat if you have been unlucky, but that wasn't the case. It wasn't good enough.

"Everybody is playing for their future, including the coaching and management staff. There were players who didn't perform to the standards expected at this club.

"This is a difficult place to play sometimes, but you've got to find something within yourself to get through it when the performances aren't up to standard."

Rangers were outplayed by part-time opposition, with the best player on the pitch being Annan's forward, David Hopkirk, who was also more composed and imaginative than any of his opponents. Annan deserved their victory, there was no siege of their goal, no breathtaking saves by their goalkeeper, just a calm, ordered, assured and competent performance. "We just wanted it more," said Hopkirk

Rangers are suffering from a malaise. The tempo of their play lacked the urgency or decisiveness to trouble Annan. Visitors to Ibrox will always be wary, but rather than take advantage of that caution, the pedestrian nature of Rangers' display allowed their opponents to settle into the game. Annan had lost their last away fixture 5-1 at Montrose, and one former professional observer who has watched them regularly remarked before kick-off that he expected them to lose heavily given their recent poor displays.

The home side lacked the wherewithal to take command. That ought to cause McCoist consternation, and he was constantly agitated on the touchline. He was not alone, since the home support became increasingly disgruntled and booed the team off at half-time. By then, Annan had created one clear chance, that David Murray could not finish with enough power to beat Neil Alexander.

For the second consecutive home game, Rangers only revealed the full extent of their flaws. This was confirmation of some painful truths. By playing Little and Kal Naismith on the opposite flanks they are normally used to – presumably for them to cut inside and leave space for overlapping full-backs, who were seldom that far forward – Rangers lacked width.

Too much of their attacking play became concentrated in the centre, just in front if Annan's penalty area. The visitors defended this space with relative ease.

This was a tactical feature, rather than the root cause of Rangers' hapless efforts. It was only when the home side fell two goals behind that desperation raised the energy and purpose of their game.

Even that petered out once Little had scored with a header from close range after Fran Sandaza's shot had been deflected into his path.

Annan were briefly stretched, but their resolve held. Put under pressure, they reverted to a confident, poised approach. Even the interval did not disrupt Annan, since only three minutes of the second half had passed when Daniel Orsi pulled away from Lee Wallace then crossed for Ally Love to steer a backheel past Alexander.

There was impudence to the finish, but this was a victory based on reliable qualities. Annan used their width to good effect, and when Murray left Chris Hegarty in his wake, he delivered the ball to the back post for Hopkirk to convert.

"We came with a gameplan to play positive football, I wanted them to demonstrate what they're capable of," said Jim Chapman, the Annan manager. "There are not many teams, at any level, that will come to Ibrox and win.

Good man. As I said I think it is a very fair reflection on not just yesterday but too many of our performances this season...

[Edmiston Drive 3,846]

Richard Wilson has a decent and fair evaluation of our performances in today's herald....would link it but its behind a pay wall it seems...still amazes me the excuses some still make and the question of loyalty is brought up against those who aren't happy after what we have witnessed now for 8 months!

Management is results based, ally has taken us to the top of div 3 , can't argue against that but for people to ignore the dire football is shocking . I want more , I want a team to make want to get off my seat and cheer,I asked the question to the guys who only through back the loyalty to Ally after what the club has been through, my question to them and still is as no reply.............what about the players Ally will let go, what about loyalty to them from the manager for staying with the club?

[delparlane 6,033]

Unfortunately a very good and accurate article.

A few things spring to mind:

Not pressing the ball high enough up the pitch - yup used see threads about that under Walter.

Playing the long ball - yup used to see threads about that under Walter.

Being out played and passed off the park by 'inferior' opposition - guess what? Yup used to see threads about that under Walter.

Every man back to defend corners and freekicks- hmmm let me see I am sure we complained about that under Walter.

Playing players out of position - even during 9 in a row we complained about that.

Every now and then we get a football performance worthy of Rangers - Yup same under Walter.

Sad to say coz i am trying to back Ally to the hit but he is not his own man. He is a mini Walter with worse players. Experienced Players that have played in teams not expected to win every trophy they have ever competed for. Young guys still finding their foothold in the game.

Same tactics same philosophy much worse team. Ally needs to change it, who wants to watch that pish every week when we are not winning.

Been saying the same for ages m8 - blatantly evident that Ally learned Walter, because all the things that used to drive us radio rental about the latter are what we see week in and week out from his pupil. I love Ally the man and the (former) player to bits, but I really do believe that we need a gale of fresh thinking to blow through the walls of Ibrox at this point.

[blueyonderbill 127]

Ally last week praised McDowell for the tactical change of moving Temps in to the centre. It' that not just bread and butter tactics that any decent coach should be able to see, surely not rocket science.