Bazza 21 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Partick Thistle 0 vs. Rangers 2 Apr. 13 2008 IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED The Cup replay was one of the last things we wanted the last time we met, so to see this one polished off, while resting a few players and not needing extra time, was a big relief more than anything else. A semi final place is now booked against St Johnstone next Saturday and the quadruple is now another game closer. Walter showed faith in some of the fringe players to go out and do the business as he rested the likes of Ferguson, Davis, Darcheville etc with the line up seeing McGregor in goal, Whittaker, Cuellar, Weir and Smith at the back, Burke, Dailly, Thommo and Novo in the middle and a front pairing of Boyd and Naismith. It was never going to be an easy game as the pitch was severely cut up and left the game to a very front to back approach by both teams. Partick showed a lot of fight and spirit and cut through our defence on several occasions to threaten an upset but we were the more clinical side when it came to finishing and in the end, a professional performance has seen us into our second semi final in four days. Today’s team: - McGregor: - Had a busier day today than on Thursday and had to pull off a couple of good saves to make sure of another clean sheet and safe progression for us into the next round. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Whittaker: - On the back of his glorious goal in midweek he was moved into the right back slot to show his versatility to the cause. Decent game going forward but not the most secure at the back. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Cuellar: - Such a crucial player that it was slightly surprising that he wasn’t given a break today. Fairly comfortable in the first half and like the rest of the team, took the foot off the gas in the second. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Weir: - Back after his midweek suspension and slotted back in very comfortably. Gave away a dubious spot kick in the second but the outcome didn’t hurt us as justice was done with Donnelly sclaffing it wide. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Smith: - So pleased to see the wee man finally get back into the first team. Started off a wee bit sluggish but came onto more of a game as it progressed. Getting 90 minutes under his belt is a huge thing for him and his confidence. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Burke: - Sloppy start to the game but came into it more as he got used to the conditions. Set up a tap in for Novo and nodded the ball home well for number two. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Dailly: - Like Whittaker, shuffled around the park and slotted in well to the midfield after his heroics at centre back midweek. Got passed around a bit but overall played his part. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Thommo: - Passed the mantle to control the midfield with the absence of Ferguson and did it well. Tackled and harried and sprayed the ball around well. Will be a big loss against Fiorentina. Rmed Verdict: - 7 (MOTM Took the added responsibility on with ease.) Novo: - Given a hard time of it by the thistle fans after taking a tumble in the box early on. Sent over a good ball for Rangers second and to kill the game off. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Boyd: - Good first half for Boydy as he looked hungry to impress. Won a lot of ball in the air and linked up well. Started to fall out the game in the second half and was replaced by Cousin 2 seconds too quick for the chance of a penalty. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Naismith: - Needs more game time to gain confidence and 90 minutes today would have done him no harm at all. Didn’t set the heather on fire but stuck in well on a very tricky surface. Rmed Verdict: - 6 McCulloch (On for Novo): - Solidified the midfield for the last quarter. Rmed Verdict: - 4 Cousin (On for Boyd): - Wasted a glorious chance to seal the game with a smile as his penalty was well saved. Rmed Verdict: - 4 Smith: - Another game another competition and another win. Domestically that’s now 27 games unbeaten in a row. Was good to be able to rest a few players ahead of the midweek Old Firm game. Rmed Verdict: - 7 It was a game that looked the easiest on the cards over the next few weeks but was still a potential banana skin. It was good to go and get the win and keep up the momentum before the visit to the Giro dome on Wednesday. A win there would really finish off the league campaign and allow a lot more concentration to go onto the up and coming semi finals against both St Johnstone and Fiorentina. It’s good to still be in four competitions!! WATP Baz. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbria_blue 51 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 St Johnstone 0 vs. Rangers 2 Apr. 13 2008 IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED The Cup replay was one of the last things we wanted the last time we met, so to see this one polished off, while resting a few players and not needing extra time, was a big relief more than anything else. A semi final place is now booked against St Johnstone next Saturday and the quadruple is now another game closer. Walter showed faith in some of the fringe players to go out and do the business as he rested the likes of Ferguson, Davis, Darcheville etc with the line up seeing McGregor in goal, Whittaker, Cuellar, Weir and Smith at the back, Burke, Dailly, Thommo and Novo in the middle and a front pairing of Boyd and Naismith. It was never going to be an easy game as the pitch was severely cut up and left the game to a very front to back approach by both teams. Partick showed a lot of fight and spirit and cut through our defence on several occasions to threaten an upset but we were the more clinical side when it came to finishing and in the end, a professional performance has seen us into our second semi final in four days. Today’s team: - McGregor: - Had a busier day today than on Thursday and had to pull off a couple of good saves to make sure of another clean sheet and safe progression for us into the next round. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Whittaker: - On the back of his glorious goal in midweek he was moved into the right back slot to show his versatility to the cause. Decent game going forward but not the most secure at the back. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Cuellar: - Such a crucial player that it was slightly surprising that he wasn’t given a break today. Fairly comfortable in the first half and like the rest of the team, took the foot off the gas in the second. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Weir: - Back after his midweek suspension and slotted back in very comfortably. Gave away a dubious spot kick in the second but the outcome didn’t hurt us as justice was done with Donnelly sclaffing it wide. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Smith: - So pleased to see the wee man finally get back into the first team. Started off a wee bit sluggish but came onto more of a game as it progressed. Getting 90 minutes under his belt is a huge thing for him and his confidence. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Burke: - Sloppy start to the game but came into it more as he got used to the conditions. Set up a tap in for Novo and nodded the ball home well for number two. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Dailly: - Like Whittaker, shuffled around the park and slotted in well to the midfield after his heroics at centre back midweek. Got passed around a bit but overall played his part. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Thommo: - Passed the mantle to control the midfield with the absence of Ferguson and did it well. Tackled and harried and sprayed the ball around well. Will be a big loss against Fiorentina. Rmed Verdict: - 7 (MOTM Took the added responsibility on with ease.) Novo: - Given a hard time of it by the thistle fans after taking a tumble in the box early on. Sent over a good ball for Rangers second and to kill the game off. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Boyd: - Good first half for Boydy as he looked hungry to impress. Won a lot of ball in the air and linked up well. Started to fall out the game in the second half and was replaced by Cousin 2 seconds too quick for the chance of a penalty. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Naismith: - Needs more game time to gain confidence and 90 minutes today would have done him no harm at all. Didn’t set the heather on fire but stuck in well on a very tricky surface. Rmed Verdict: - 6 McCulloch (On for Novo): - Solidified the midfield for the last quarter. Rmed Verdict: - 4 Cousin (On for Boyd): - Wasted a glorious chance to seal the game with a smile as his penalty was well saved. Rmed Verdict: - 4 Smith: - Another game another competition and another win. Domestically that’s now 27 games unbeaten in a row. Was good to be able to rest a few players ahead of the midweek Old Firm game. Rmed Verdict: - 7 It was a game that looked the easiest on the cards over the next few weeks but was still a potential banana skin. It was good to go and get the win and keep up the momentum before the visit to the Giro dome on Wednesday. A win there would really finish off the league campaign and allow a lot more concentration to go onto the up and coming semi finals against both St Johnstone and Fiorentina. It’s good to still be in four competitions!! WATP Baz. Good report but you need to edit it. We played Partick thistle today Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big-jonesy51 0 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 It was partick thistle mate not st. johnstone Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 St Johnstone 0 vs. Rangers 2 Apr. 13 2008 IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED The Cup replay was one of the last things we wanted the last time we met, so to see this one polished off, while resting a few players and not needing extra time, was a big relief more than anything else. A semi final place is now booked against St Johnstone next Saturday and the quadruple is now another game closer. Walter showed faith in some of the fringe players to go out and do the business as he rested the likes of Ferguson, Davis, Darcheville etc with the line up seeing McGregor in goal, Whittaker, Cuellar, Weir and Smith at the back, Burke, Dailly, Thommo and Novo in the middle and a front pairing of Boyd and Naismith. It was never going to be an easy game as the pitch was severely cut up and left the game to a very front to back approach by both teams. Partick showed a lot of fight and spirit and cut through our defence on several occasions to threaten an upset but we were the more clinical side when it came to finishing and in the end, a professional performance has seen us into our second semi final in four days. Today’s team: - McGregor: - Had a busier day today than on Thursday and had to pull off a couple of good saves to make sure of another clean sheet and safe progression for us into the next round. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Whittaker: - On the back of his glorious goal in midweek he was moved into the right back slot to show his versatility to the cause. Decent game going forward but not the most secure at the back. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Cuellar: - Such a crucial player that it was slightly surprising that he wasn’t given a break today. Fairly comfortable in the first half and like the rest of the team, took the foot off the gas in the second. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Weir: - Back after his midweek suspension and slotted back in very comfortably. Gave away a dubious spot kick in the second but the outcome didn’t hurt us as justice was done with Donnelly sclaffing it wide. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Smith: - So pleased to see the wee man finally get back into the first team. Started off a wee bit sluggish but came onto more of a game as it progressed. Getting 90 minutes under his belt is a huge thing for him and his confidence. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Burke: - Sloppy start to the game but came into it more as he got used to the conditions. Set up a tap in for Novo and nodded the ball home well for number two. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Dailly: - Like Whittaker, shuffled around the park and slotted in well to the midfield after his heroics at centre back midweek. Got passed around a bit but overall played his part. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Thommo: - Passed the mantle to control the midfield with the absence of Ferguson and did it well. Tackled and harried and sprayed the ball around well. Will be a big loss against Fiorentina. Rmed Verdict: - 7 (MOTM Took the added responsibility on with ease.) Novo: - Given a hard time of it by the thistle fans after taking a tumble in the box early on. Sent over a good ball for Rangers second and to kill the game off. Rmed Verdict: - 6 Boyd: - Good first half for Boydy as he looked hungry to impress. Won a lot of ball in the air and linked up well. Started to fall out the game in the second half and was replaced by Cousin 2 seconds too quick for the chance of a penalty. Rmed Verdict: - 7 Naismith: - Needs more game time to gain confidence and 90 minutes today would have done him no harm at all. Didn’t set the heather on fire but stuck in well on a very tricky surface. Rmed Verdict: - 6 McCulloch (On for Novo): - Solidified the midfield for the last quarter. Rmed Verdict: - 4 Cousin (On for Boyd): - Wasted a glorious chance to seal the game with a smile as his penalty was well saved. Rmed Verdict: - 4 Smith: - Another game another competition and another win. Domestically that’s now 27 games unbeaten in a row. Was good to be able to rest a few players ahead of the midweek Old Firm game. Rmed Verdict: - 7 It was a game that looked the easiest on the cards over the next few weeks but was still a potential banana skin. It was good to go and get the win and keep up the momentum before the visit to the Giro dome on Wednesday. A win there would really finish off the league campaign and allow a lot more concentration to go onto the up and coming semi finals against both St Johnstone and Fiorentina. It’s good to still be in four competitions!! WATP Baz. Great to hear Thomson and Burke having a good game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big-jonesy51 0 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Excellant report none the less mate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza 21 Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 a game ahead of myself Ah well, the same result against them will do too!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_RFC87 761 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 St Johnstone Cheers for that baz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted E Bayer 490 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Cheers Bazza. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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