Kilmarnock 2 vs. Rangers 2 - Aug. 27/2006

GUEN AND BEAR IT

Pure frustration. Two words, which meant the same to every Gers fan today. The fact that we played some exceptional football, especially in the first half, the fact that we took the lead twice and the fact that we were pegged back in the ninety first minute by a penalty all led to a day which saw us drop back to an all familiar place from last year. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe for one minute that we will end up in that position again this year, it’s just that the game had all too many similarities to last season.

Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Surprise in the starting line up. Looked nervy at times but was growing into a game until the calamity that was the goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Mixed bag from him today. I thought that the first half in particular was a very productive time for the youngster. Supported forward well and wasn’t too wasteful in possession. Reverted back to his normal in the second half though when put under pressure.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Svensson: - Sounds strange after conceding two goals but I thought that he had a good game. Seemed more confident in the air and on the deck. Still to find his best but getting there.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

JRod: - Like Svensson, had a good solid game in the centre. Except for a couple of good chances, we really kept their attack to a minimum. Just a shame that the few that they did get they took!
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Smith: - Hard to believe that he has not quite completed a full year at left back yet, despite looking like he has held that position for ten years. Assured and hard working performance. Had another shot at the corner flag too!!
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Hemdani: - Another that had a very good first half. Dominated and bossed the midfield until the second half where he seemed to disappear.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Clement: - Terrific display from the youngster. Covered the whole pitch with some decent link up play and great covering. Trying to push forward a bit more too, which is encouraging.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Sionko: - Quiet game on the right and seemed to struggle to get into the game. Got more involved as the game went on but he has more to offer.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Martin: - Dropped a level from his debut game. Tried some flicks and tricks but they just weren’t coming off this time. I have a feeling that Kille were set up to kill off our wide men.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Prso: - Summed up the frustration level. Messed up our bets chances in front of goal, lost his man for the corner, which let them equalise BUT was the architectural genius behind our two goals!! What a day from the big man.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Boyd: - twenty-four goals in twenty-five Gers appearances say it all for the most clinical man to wear a blue jersey for a long time. Was told to improve his all round game by PLG last week which he also seems to have done, he linked up the play excellently but it is his prowess in front of goal that makes Boydy what he is!!
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM Superb performance by our marksman)

Buffel (On for Sionko): - On for the last fifteen minutes and made a good contribution. Unlucky not to curl a decent chance into the corner.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Sebo (Martin): - Like Buffel, given a short run out. Good energy and looks like he could be a prospect, needs starts though to impact onto games.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Rae (On for Prso)- Put on to hold the lead for the last couple of minutes…oooops!
Rmed Verdict: - 4

PLG: - Like everyone else, completely, frustrated by our performance. Used his first two subs well and got us back into the lead and will be very annoyed to have dropped two points
Rmed Verdict: - 7


It was back to the first game of the season again as we played, by far, the better football and came away with fewer goals than we should have. On the bright side, we are the only SPL team not to have lost this season; we just need to dump the unneeded draws!!


WATP

Baz.

HEARTS ATTACKED

What a difference a week makes!! Rangers outwitted and out played Hearts with a quite superlative display today. It started with PLG tactically outdoing his counter part by switching the system that he had stuck to in the first three games. The four-four-two surprised us, but more importantly, Hearts, who appeared onto the pitch lining up in a four-three-three to counteract our system. PLG also rang the changes in the side dropping Hutton, Sionko, Adam and Buffel and putting in Burke, Boyd, Martin and debutant Bardsley, which turned out to be another masterstroke.
Rangers took a little longer to settle but when they got going they destroyed Hearts with great wide play, great delivery and great finishing. In the last few weeks our “feel good factor” had ebbed away a bit with a couple of less than convincing performances BUT today it came rushing back in spades and long may it continue!!

Today’s team: -

Letizi: - Showed none of the calamitous touches from last week and had to make a couple of saves. Not as busy a day as he might have expected
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Bardsley: - Got a surprising debut against one of our main opponents and handled himself very well. Nothing spectacular but looked solid and composed.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Svensson: - The beginnings of a partnership? Looked more solid today although still a bit suspicious under the high ball.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

JRod: - More commanding or just growing more confident of the defence around him. Controlled the threat of Jankuskas and Bednar very well as they hardly got a sniff.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Smith: - Had to play a slightly more disciplined game and didn’t push forward quite as much. More due to the very attacking play of Martin than formation change.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hemdani: - Reasonable without excelling, same as the last three games to be honest. He IS a good player, he just needs to give that extra ten percent
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Clement: - Took ten minutes to measure the opposition and then controlled the rest of the game. Great engine, vision and passing and is already a mainstay of the side.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Burke: - Good to see a young Scotsman terrorising defences and he did that today. Having Sionko nipping at his heels in competition for his place will also do him the power of good.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Martin: - Wow!! Tore Nielsen to shreds down that left flank, tremendous play by the big man. Has pace, power and tricks but also has work rate. The one other thing he has is delivery, from set pieces or crossing, which Rangers as a team has been missing for a long time.
Rmed Verdict: - 9

Prso: - Showed us some of those powerful, driving runs that we’ve become accustomed to. Could also have had a goal with a screamer that rattled the sanction.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Boyd: - Turned to, to supply the finishing touches to the silky football that we have started playing and we could not have turned to a better man. Great game by Boyd and showed a killer instinct that not too many strikers possess. Stamped his name firmly into PLG’s head for the next run of games. Went off to a standing ovation.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM for his clinical finishing alone)

Hutton (On for Bardsley): - Stepped back into his natural position to cover for a slight injury and will have to play, and train, hard, to get back in the side.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Sebo (On for Boyd): - PLG trying to give Sebo some match time. Would have been tremendous for his confidence to bag a goal. Unfortunately wasn’t to be.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Buffel (On for Burke): - Had no time to make any impact.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

PLG: - Used his tactical know how to out manoeuvre his counterpart and wasn’t afraid to ring the changes. Turned out beautifully for him!!!
Rmed Verdict: - 9


I feel we had lost a bit of our fear factor with the teams in the SPL over the last couple of years but with this performance today teams will be a bit more wary in the future. The revolution is starting to gather momentum, be afraid, be VERY afraid!!


WATP

Baz.

Dunfermline 1 vs. Rangers 1 - Aug. 13/2006

NO CHANGE FROM NO CHANGE

I wonder what PLG is now thinking about his team selection for next week, for after three games with an un-changed side, including one win and two draws, I feel that something is going to give. For me it was a great surprise that Boyd was missing from the starting line up and also that Sebo did not play some kind of role.
Maybe PLG is just starting to learn that, for most SPL teams that he comes up against this year, he will have to devise tactics to penetrate eleven man defences. More concerning today though was our defence, again, though I would not put the blame solely on our centre backs, which leads me nicely into…

Today’s team: -

Letizi: - After a good start to his Ibrox career he had a howler today. He looked vulnerable and erratic for anything that he had to come out for. Was culpable for the goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Hutton: -
Smith: - Going to break tradition here by doing this pair together. I feel that it is necessary as this is a part of our formation that concerns me. With two defensive midfielders and two centre backs both Hutton and Smith have been asked to bomb forward which they have done very well, distribution was very poor today though especially crosses, BUT as they are going forward there seems to be plenty of space left open for opposition attacks. All our goals conceded this season have come from unchallenged crosses coming into the box. Now, is this because the full backs are out of position?? Or are our defensive midfielders not tracking back?? One for discussion I feel.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Svensson: - Slowly starting to find his feet but needs to work on the communication with Letizi. Some hairy moments out there between the two.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

JRod: - Had little to do for much of the game and what he had to do he did well. Not at fault for the goal as Letizi managed to goof that up all by himself
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hemdani: - Plain and simple, doesn’t do enough for the team. Gets by in each game but never excels.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Clement: - Continues to impress but is being asked to do too much as he tries to cover for Hemdani.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Sionko: - Didn’t get a grip of the game and drifted in and out. Set pieces were also very poor from a man, we are told, is somewhat of an expert. Had one good run and one two with Prso but did little else.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Buffel: - Good game. Constant threat to the Pars and scored a good goal. I feel this goal will lead to several more.
Rmed Verdict: - 7 (MOTM there wasn’t a great deal of competition this week)

Adam: - As Sionko, got stuck with the eleven man wall in front of him and couldn’t break through. Tried hard to no avail.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Prso: - Typical effort from the big man but not effective again. Would like to see him in a wider role.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Boyd (On for Prso): - Needs to start these games rather than trying to come on and win them. Think his chance will come very soon.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Burke (On for Sionko): - A bit more direct than Sionko and looked more dangerous. Made our hearts skip a beat as he blundered a dummy on the edge of our own box.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Martin (On for Adam): - Bright and lively debut and looked very dangerous. Will be interesting to see how the side shapes up in the coming weeks.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

PLG: - Has a few big decisions to make this week as I think that he will have to alter his first team. Are these new tactics right for the SPL? Start with Boyd? What to do with the defence? Unenviable task PLG but we’re all behind you all the way!
Rmed Verdict: - 6



Very frustrating day for all Gers fans as, for the first time, the shine is starting to wear off and a couple of hairline cracks appear. Good times are ahead though I just feel it!!

KEEP BELIEVING
WATP


Baz.

Rangers 2 vs. Dundee United 2 - Aug. 05/2006

NO CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

PLG’s Ibrox debut did not quite go to plan as he was forced to accept just the one point from a game, which could have been won emphatically. A day, once more, where the attack dazzled and the defence capitulated.
From the outset it was, as last week, a case of chance after chance coming and going without that killer touch, although it has to be said that some of the build up play was sublime, and you just know that an opposition somewhere soon is going to be on the end of a real hiding! BUT it is at the back where the real concern is. This new centre back pairing is still to gel and must do so quickly as, in this league and for this club, time is something that is not afforded.

Today’s team: -

Letizi: - Had no chance with either goal and basically had little else to do. His handling and distribution is good
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Whipping boy of late but had a good game. Pushed forward well and had a great goal line clearance.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Svensson: - At fault for both goals and needs a confidence boost. Still believe there is a great talent there but needs to find his feet quickly. Hooked in the second half.7
Rmed Verdict: - 4

JRod: - With two centre backs to look after one striker you’d have thought that it would have been a comfortable afternoon for JRod but not so, I’m afraid, and there can be no excuses.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Smith: - Like Hutton, was left with a clear channel to run into all day, which he did at every opportunity. Support play from these two in this formation, with the two holding players, is essential.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hemdani: - In there to protect the back four and be the architect of our attacks. Does a job but never any more than that. Ended up as a makeshift centre back and did ok.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Clement: - Looks classy on the ball and works hard off it. Has a great tackle in him too as he blocked a certain goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Sionko: - United defence couldn’t handle him at all. Great display from the wannabe Proborski, Forced Stillie into some great saves and took another coat of paint off the crossbar too. Our main threat at present.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (My MOTM. On great form and long may it continue!)

Buffel: - That extra finishing training hasn’t paid off yet but WHEN it does it’ll be a terrific day. Good touches and always in a threatening position.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Adam: - Can whip in a good ball with that left boot and again played well. Was surprised that he gave way at half time but somebody had to go I suppose.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Prso: - Worked hard again and this system seems to suit him. Personally I prefer him in a slightly wider role but you know that he’ll give his all wherever he plays.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Boyd (On for Adam): - I would have liked to see him on from the start, as it was a different style of game in the second as we chased a two-goal deficit for much of it. Had a couple of chances and one, which caught under his feet, which he should have put away.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Burke (On for Svensson): - Did his chances of getting his place back the power of good by drilling in great shot after being on the park for only three minutes!
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Sebo (On for Prso): - Debut for the much talked about striker. Looks to have the strength to play in the SPL and also looks to have goals in him, thank god! Serious selection dilemmas on the way for PLG.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

PLG: - The honeymoon is over and it’s now down to serious business. The result today might even force some hands in making a couple more moves in the transfer market.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

The football on show is tremendous but nice looking teams don’t always win trophies, just ask Tommy Burns! Here’s hoping that PLG is the man that can combine the two.


WATP


Baz.