Jack The Flipper 5,936 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 One of the most annoying things for me in all the years of watching Rangers is seeing players being played out of position and having to think "what could have been" if those players had actually been played in their correct position. A case in point is Lovenkrands who was consistantly played out on the left wing and was very inconsistant, but as soon as he played in a striking position - either through team selection or natural movement into that position - he looked amazing and unstoppable.The main culprits for me were Alex Mcliesh and the legendary Walter Smith. I'll start it off by saying Alan Hutton as he was originally a striker who we moved to right back and ended up leaving us for around 9 million. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coplandbear11 1,087 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Sasa Papac Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EatDolphins 5,356 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Sasa PapacWhat was he meant to be? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalterLoyal 3 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Papac - A weak central defender under PLG. Played the best football of his career under Walter after being moved to left back.Davis - Naturally a central midfielder but had his best season in a Rangers jersey playing right midfield, winning player of the year. Often plays on the right for Southampton as well.Whittaker - Naturally a right back but had some of his best displays for both Rangers and Scotland at left back.Beasley - Naturally a left winger but also performed well on the right.Novo - Naturally a striker but also performed well on the left and the right. One of our best periods of form under Walter was when we had Beasley on the right and Novo on the left. That was the period when we went up to Tannadice and humped them about 3-0 with Miller scoring a cracking header from a Novo cross from the left.Naismith - Joined us as a striker but we didn't see the best of him until he was moved to right mid where he was able to make deep darting runs which resulted in his best goalscoring season.McCulloch - A central midfielder through youth level, played up front with Motherwell, played left mid for Wigan, us and Scotland, then played the holding role, up front and central defence. Has done a good job in every role with his best period of form coming in the holding role from the start of the 09/10 season through to February the following season when he got injured. At that time he was widely recognised as a key player and most fans were gutted when he got injured. Also got back into the Scotland team in the holding role during that period. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jelavic191 4,474 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Personally I think Lionel Letizi flourished once he found his natural position on the bench. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeirFleckNRothen 1,789 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 You've got a lot to say for yourself Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack The Flipper 5,936 Posted May 30, 2014 Author Share Posted May 30, 2014 Personally I think Lionel Letizi flourished once he found his natural position on the bench. Poor guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack The Flipper 5,936 Posted May 30, 2014 Author Share Posted May 30, 2014 Papac - A weak central defender under PLG. Played the best football of his career under Walter after being moved to left back.Davis - Naturally a central midfielder but had his best season in a Rangers jersey playing right midfield, winning player of the year. Often plays on the right for Southampton as well.Whittaker - Naturally a right back but had some of his best displays for both Rangers and Scotland at left back.Beasley - Naturally a left winger but also performed well on the right.Novo - Naturally a striker but also performed well on the left and the right. One of our best periods of form under Walter was when we had Beasley on the right and Novo on the left. That was the period when we went up to Tannadice and humped them about 3-0 with Miller scoring a cracking header from a Novo cross from the left.Naismith - Joined us as a striker but we didn't see the best of him until he was moved to right mid where he was able to make deep darting runs which resulted in his best goalscoring season.McCulloch - A central midfielder through youth level, played up front with Motherwell, played left mid for Wigan, us and Scotland, then played the holding role, up front and central defence. Has done a good job in every role with his best period of form coming in the holding role from the start of the 09/10 season through to February the following season when he got injured. At that time he was widely recognised as a key player and most fans were gutted when he got injured. Also got back into the Scotland team in the holding role during that period.I disagree with Beasley & McCulloch, Beasley wasn't that great a player for us at all so I wouldn't say he flourished, McCulloch's versatility has served us well, but I would disagree that we've seen the best of him in defense.Papac Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coplandbear11 1,087 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 What was he meant to be?He was a centre back Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelsonRFC82 305 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Claudio Reyna? Not sure if you would say flourished as he was an international midfielder, indeed captain and I think 100+ caps with USA but given the strength of our midfield at the time he played a lot for us at RB which solved what was a problem position for us.Would certainly add Fernando Ricksen, actually links to the above slightly in that he was signed as a RB but we did end up playing Reyna there as none of our RBs made the position their own. Fernando when he moved to CM was outstanding in the Helicopter Sunday season, in fact outrageous he had to share the POTY award that season! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Ricksen's best season by far for us was in midfield Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopter 310 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Only one key game, but can I have Coisty playing Aluko inside just off Jig at their supposed title winning party? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steinandbud 9 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 tam forsyth singed as a midfield man moved to c/h sandy jardine started of up front and became our best ever right back .. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Whittaker was an awful left back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broxi 11,531 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Do others agree with Davis being better at right mid?I don't personally. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mongoose 1,007 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Sandy Jardine was a Striker at one point………great Full Back & LegendAlso Graham Roberts signed as a Defender but ended up a great Goalie! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearAbroad 42 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 We initially played Albertz as a LB for the first season or so. He didn't really come into his own until he was moved to his natural left sided central midfielder position. Thus began the legend of the "Hammer". Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluepeter9 5,167 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 This thing of players only playing one position is so old - folk need to get over it! Most teams have a good number of players utilised in a variety of positions. It's also about the team dynamic not the individual - move on people - move on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 This thing of players only playing one position is so old - folk need to get over it!Most teams have a good number of players utilised in a variety of positions. It's also about the team dynamic not the individual - move on people - move on.Aye alright Ally Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.T.G 10,773 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Whittaker was an awful left back.Not as bad as RB Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Not as bad as RB . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Hume 13,166 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Derek Johnstone was comfortable as a striker and a centre back, I know it's not actually the same, as he was already an established top notch player, but he did flourish in both roles, and was very consistent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman10 148 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Can't remember how long he played there for but when Tugay started playing sweeper originally a CM he played really good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCPRANGERS1 2,997 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 This thing of players only playing one position is so old - folk need to get over it! Most teams have a good number of players utilised in a variety of positions. It's also about the team dynamic not the individual - move on people - move on.You're right, however the vast majority of players have a strongest position and you see clubs mainly trying to use them there.Without a doubt it helps to be flexible but most of the time you'd want a player playing in his most natural position would you not? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedarvelmarvel 796 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 jimmy millar a very ordinary grafter in mid field. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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