Dundee United 2 vs. Rangers 1 Nov. 05/2006

STUNNED PITIFUL AND LOST

That is exactly what the SPL means to Rangers and Paul Le Guen at this moment in time.
Stunned is more aimed at the supporters who follow there team through thick and thin and are, at present, being highly short changed in the League performances.
Pitiful is for how we changed from an excellent game in midweek to the mediocrity that was served up to us this afternoon and
Lost which is aimed at Le Geun in particular as he struggles to understand what it takes to switch tactically from Europe into Scotland.
This season is fast running away from us as we are now closer to Dunfermline, at the bottom of the SPL, than we are to Celtic who are top. A real test of character once more faces the players as they try and figure out what it will take to turn this around.


Today’s Team :-

McGregor: - Must have been glad to see his name on the team sheet at the start of play but maybe not so much so at the end. He would have been hoping for a better result to stake his claim for the No1 spot.
Rmed Verdict :- 6

Hutton: -Was ran ragged, especially in the second half, as most of the Dundee United moves flowed down that side. With Bardsley sitting on the bench, you just wonder how long it will be until we see him back in the team.
Rmed Verdict :- 5

Hemdani: - Looked composed and organised for most of the game until the frantic last fifteen minute spell where all the best laid plans went to pot.
Rmed Verdict :- 7

Papac: - Like Hemdani he looked comfortable enough for most of the game until we, once more, capitulated late on.
Rmed Verdict :- 6

Smith: - like a lot of the team, he seemed very lethargic for big spells of the game. Got forward on occasion just to waste the possession with a poor final ball
Rmed Verdict :- 6

Clement: - Very much like his mentor, Clement is finding that adjusting from European to Scottish football just isn’t as easy as it looks. No where near the form he showed on Thursday.
Rmed Verdict :- 6

Bazza: - Good first half where he was very creative but got lost in the second as United stepped up a gear and started to come at us. Again, not the midweek Barry that we were looking for.
Rmed Verdict :- 6

Adam: - Looked to have the most energy of the midfield trio but lacks a bit of pace to really hurt teams. Took his goal well and had one or two other chances. One of the few passable players today.
Rmed Verdict :- 7

Novo: - Energetic and driven and was our only real threat. The United defence struggled with him as he gave them the run-around. Set up the goal and had one superb moment in the first half as he twisted and dragged the ball back leaving two defenders dumbfounded.
Rmed Verdict :- 8 (MOTM the only player who looked up for the game)

Buffel: - Should have been the most refreshed and determined player on the park after being left on the bench in midweek but he just wasn’t at the races and was deservedly hooked shortly after half time.
Rmed Verdict :- 5

Prso: - Given the role of leading the line and gave a better display than Thursday. Still not at the levels of last season and you just wonder if he will be again. Not a great Birthday for the big man.
Rmed Verdict :- 6

Boyd (On for Buffel): - Wasn’t involved enough as United were in full ascendancy when he came on
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Sebo (On for Smith): - Came on to try and salvage a point. Too late by then
Rmed Verdict: - 3

PLG: - Struggling to understand why we are under performing so badly in the League but yet can stand proud in Europe. The answers are not going to be as easily found as he first thought but he will have to come up with them very soon.
Rmed Verdict :-5

I’ve struggled to put this together as I truly was dumbfounded by the time the final whistle sounded today. The biggest question for me just now though is that we spent most of the pre season building up fitness and stamina so how come we are losing so many points in the last fifteen minutes?
We must now wait, it seems, until our next trip abroad before we see the true Rangers re-appear.


WATP

Baz.