NO AWAY'S IN NORWAY

Going away in Europe, no matter what anyone says, is never easy. The five and six nil predictions were never going to happen even with Molde being an average side, at best. The smaller teams always up their games and performances when the big boys come to town and can acquire decent results.
In saying all that, I still expected us to win over there and am very disappointed, more with the performance, than the result.
PLG started with a line up, which excluded Clement, Prso and Burke, and meant a first start of the season for Bazza. From the outset of the game though you could see it was going to be a tough night. Passes weren’t finding there targets, tackles were being missed and generally the best you could say about our game was “Sloppy”.
The night was a bad one but I still fully expect us to go through when we bring them to Ibrox in a fortnights time.


Today’s team: -

McGregor: Was excellent tonight and saved our blushes on more than one occasion. Will be hoping that PLG took notice.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM and unfortunately this just shows how good we were!!)

Bardsley: - Showed a lot of aggression but little else. Like the rest of the team, he was poor in distribution.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Svensson: - One of his best performances to date for the Gers. Showed strength and pace but most of all, his best attribute which has to be, his timing in a tackle. Saved J Rod’s blushes on more than one occasion. Had one small lapse of concentration near the end.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

JRod: - Nightmare for the big fellow as he played us into trouble more than once. Had one or two decent moments but overall it was a bad night
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Smith: - Not seen as an attacking force tonight and was left badly exposed on the left. Again passing wasn’t up to scratch
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Sionko: - Didn’t seem up for the game and didn’t see much of him. Any decent attacks came down the other side of the pitch.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hemdani: - Surprise choice ahead of Clement. Couldn’t get his foot on the ball and was bullied out of the game.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Bazza: - Started well with some nice touches and good vision. Faded badly though as we lost control of the middle of the park. Still needs time and games.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Martin: - The lad has terrific skill and was our biggest threat in the first half. I did find myself screaming at him to pass or cross as he sometimes just takes that one touch too many.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Buffel: - I like him and think he’s a very good player but he was lost tonight and didn’t seem to know his place. Clumsy with the ball and woeful passing added up to a bad evening
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Boyd: - This is what he is most criticised for, not being able to hold the ball up and bring others into play. Hardly got a sniff at goal and can’t be happy with his night.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Prso (On for Buffel): - Surprisingly on the bench as I think the game needed his power but even then, he was ineffectual when he came on.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Burke (On for Martin): - Tried to take the Norwegians on but again had little impact.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Clement (On for Bazza)- Like for like as Bazza tired dramatically
Rmed Verdict: - 5

PLG: - Won’t be happy with what he saw. Likes to zip the ball about with good passing…………….Something went wrong in the translation, I think!
Rmed Verdict: - 6


Frustrating night in Norway as I don’t know anyone who didn’t expect win tonight. Our team though is relatively inexperienced in Europe and I’m sure will develop into a force WHEN we reach the group stages in two weeks time!!


WATP

Baz.