graeme_4 35,247 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 One thing that's been needed at Rangers for years was addressing the spine of the team. We've been so powderpuff and physically mismatched since MW came in. Pedro's dealt with that, and it looks like we've much better organisation and a bit of steel and strength through the core of our team. With Fod, Cardoso, Alves, Jack, Dorrans and Herrera (and even Miller) were pretty physical and aggressive, and not going to be pushed about. If we lack anything it's the killer instinct or final ball at the moment. Which brings us to our most technically gifted player, Niko Krancjar. If we had him 4 or 5 years ago he'd be a guaranteed starter home and away. Unfortunately the legs aren't quite what they were, and it throws up questions about his role. For me he's an almost certain starter in most home games, as we normally pin teams in deep and need a bit of quality to open them up. Away games I'm not so sure - is he up to the physical and defensive side? Particularly with Wallace bombing forward so regularly? I don't know. Although I think it suits him to not be a dedicated CM, and to drift into pockets of space. But if he can't start away games or big games where we're on the back foot at times, are we better leaving him out for home games too and bulding a more consistent starting 11? Is he just an impact sub now? Big decisions for Pedro... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneDavidCooper 2,505 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 We really needed another Niko thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assegai 66,357 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 The bench. At best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryju84 3,170 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 3 minutes ago, OneDavidCooper said: We really needed another Niko thread. Ok... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
graeme_4 35,247 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 5 minutes ago, OneDavidCooper said: We really needed another Niko thread. Cant see any threads on him on the first 6 or 7 pages, and I'm not delving deeper than that mate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gman36 3,456 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 His role will be to get injured and receive a payoff before the end of the season Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VladimirWeiss69 839 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 I would play him against teams that we are going to pin back, which should be most teams in our premiership. He is by far our most creative and technically gifted player we have, Windass had a good game the other day but Kranjcar is by far and away a better player than windass, although Windass has the legs that kranjcar doesn't have! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDFM 3,809 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Bench, fire him on against the dregs of the league if we're drawing or losing to see if he can create. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeds_Bear 8,155 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 22 minutes ago, OneDavidCooper said: We really needed another Niko thread. This is the first Niko thread I've seen in ages?! Weirdo. ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGOH 2,344 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 12 minutes ago, OhW said: I want to find old comments from people who thought he would play the "quarterback" role this season. So that would be Pedro Caixinha then? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smile 26,622 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Not a starter for me against any pace and he's a man short talented player in his day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cushynumber 25,178 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Ive not seen him play one good game for us against anybody decent, so he has a lot to prove. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeds_Bear 8,155 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 3 minutes ago, cushynumber said: Ive not seen him play one good game for us against anybody decent, so he has a lot to prove. He was pretty good against Marseille but I take your point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbm26896 995 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Our best footballer in my opinion , Create him space and he will unlock defences for us. You don't need to be super fit to hit 50 yards passes. Him and Windass are key to our season. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smile 26,622 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 9 minutes ago, Leeds_Bear said: He was pretty good against Marseille but I take your point. He has the ability still too hurt teams who let him play, the Scottish league is not that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
graeme_4 35,247 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 1 minute ago, Smile said: He has the ability still too hurt teams who let him play, the Scottish league is not that. Maybe the case when he was partnered by Windass, Holt or Halliday in CM - but as a wider midfielder with Jack and Dorrans doing the heavy lifting he might. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smile 26,622 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Just now, graeme_4 said: Maybe the case when he was partnered by Windass, Holt or Halliday in CM - but as a wider midfielder with Jack and Dorrans doing the heavy lifting he might. I can't see it but if he turns out to be our best player this season I will be happy as it benefits the team. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeSS 512 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 2 minutes ago, jbm26896 said: Our best footballer in my opinion , Create him space and he will unlock defences for us. You don't need to be super fit to hit 50 yards passes. Him and Windass are key to our season. What utter garbage he is finished should be payed off asap to free up a wage the game nowadays is about power and pace. Sadly his legs are long gone as for Windass one decent not spectacular performance in a friendly and you make him a key to our season! Get a grip mate have you not watched him over past year he is a very poor player who we can't depend on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMB 14,167 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 If we play 4-2-3-1 then Niko would be the obvious choice for CAM. However, it looks like we'll be going 4-4-2 in which case Niko should be played out on the left. Niko's played on the left side of midfield many times during his career and he can do a job out there. Walker isn't here yet, and Miller shouldn't play anywhere but up front, so Kranjcar is the obvious choice on the left. Dorrans and Jack need to be mainstays in the middle of the park. These two will provided the hard work and dig we were so badly lacking in last season. No matter what formation we play I would always have those two in the middle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbm26896 995 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 7 minutes ago, GeeSS said: What utter garbage he is finished should be payed off asap to free up a wage the game nowadays is about power and pace. Sadly his legs are long gone as for Windass one decent not spectacular performance in a friendly and you make him a key to our season! Get a grip mate have you not watched him over past year he is a very poor player who we can't depend on. It's my opinion , your is different , stick by what I said. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza27 15,333 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 16 minutes ago, jbm26896 said: Our best footballer in my opinion , Create him space and he will unlock defences for us. You don't need to be super fit to hit 50 yards passes. Him and Windass are key to our season. They really aint Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbm26896 995 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 2 minutes ago, OhW said: If we signed Ronaldinho, would he be our best footballer? Don't know - would he ? You seem to be the smart one here, Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbm26896 995 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 1 minute ago, gazza27 said: They really aint I think they will , if not I'll be wrong Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davis1986 996 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 I think u could rotate him and Miller in the role just behind the striker just now until Pena is fit then I see him slotting in there since Pedro has paid big bucks for him. I think a 4-4-1-1 is our best formation just now. Its good we have a big squad now so can rotate it for cups games etc when others are needing a rest Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedrick 8,048 Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Pedro just said in his presser he's got a hip injury , don't think we're gonny see the big fella have a consistent run of games at all without injury , shame to absolute joy to watch Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.