Rangers 4 vs. Gretna 0 Sept. 01 2007
RED STAR TO FIVE STAR
We have all the fives within the numbers now with 5 league games, 5 wins, 15 points and a plus 15-goal difference. Add that to the midweek qualification to the Champions League and the resulting tough but exiting draw and it all adds up to an amazing start to the 2007/2008 season.
We were always going to be brought back down to earth today after what has been a whirlwind week which culminated in the dramatic, literally last minute capture of Stevie Naismith. Walter made the changes again, showing once more the depth we have in the squad, by resting JCD, McCulloch and Weir for the inclusion of Boyd, Cousin and a long awaited debut for Andy Webster. We reverted back to what seems to be becoming a pattern of 4-4-2 for the league and 4-5-1 for Europe but it took a bit of time to break down a very resilient Gretna side as we lacked a bit of pace to our attacks. In saying that, it has been a part of our play to wear opponents down before overcoming them later in the game.
The end result was conclusive enough though and leaves us still sitting pretty at the top of the SPL and also showed the amazing scoring ability we have throughout the squad with Webster and Cuellar getting in on the action as well.
Today’s team: -
McGregor: - One of his easier clean sheets and has made a confident start to the season, even with the pressure of having Carroll sitting in the wings.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hutton: - Tends to love these kind of games that allow him to express his natural attacking flair. Had to make the defensive challenges too but was more influential going forward.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM Added a bit of flair and urgency that was missing at times)
Cuellar: - Not a lot to do but mopped up any threat that came his way. Was thrown do a gauntlet by new partner, Webster, a duly stepped up to the mark by scoring as well.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Webster: - It was a good day to come in for a debut and it was good to finally see him adorn the Rangers Blue. He kept it tight at the back and managed to bullet a header home as well. A very able replacement for Weir.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Papac: - He managed to get involved more in the game today and pushed forward to support Beasley. Needs to work on the passing but overall not too bad.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Whitaker: - Since his blistering debut he hasn’t quite kept up the high level he set himself. Still has the attributes to hurt teams down the right but wasn’t direct enough for me today.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Bazza: - Not as influential and dominating as he can be but seemed to be targeted to be tightly marked. Came onto a game when it started to open up in the second half.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Thommo: - Worked hard but like Barry, never got the chance to express himself. It was actually a tough shift for him in the middle today.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Beasley: - Not a great day for Beasley today as he struggled with no space in behind to run into. Played a great cameo role midweek but failed to discover that flair today.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Cousin: - Moved around the front line well without really breaking through. I think he needs a few more games just to get his full sharpness.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Boyd: - I’m not so sure if Cousin and Boyd make the ideal partnership but we have the ability to change this round now. He was lucky with the goal but I’m sure he won’t be giving a monkeys about that.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
JCD (On for Cousin): - Strong direst running troubles any defence and he must be in line for a start in the next game.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Novo (On for Boyd): - Didn’t make the impact that he has from the bench previously.
Rmed Verdict: - 4
Naismith (On for Beasley): - Came on to rapturous applause after the transfer saga of the century. Welcome to Ibrox wee man!
Rmed Verdict: - 4
Smith: - Can’t fault a 100% record even though we might have looked a bit lethargic in the first half. 5 out of 5, keep it up Walter!
Rmed Verdict: - 7
We now know the exact squad we have to play with and for me, it’s a very strong squad that is more than capable of bringing home the title and with Walter and Ally at the helm the feel good factor is certainly back down Ibrox way!!
WATP
Baz.
We have all the fives within the numbers now with 5 league games, 5 wins, 15 points and a plus 15-goal difference. Add that to the midweek qualification to the Champions League and the resulting tough but exiting draw and it all adds up to an amazing start to the 2007/2008 season.
We were always going to be brought back down to earth today after what has been a whirlwind week which culminated in the dramatic, literally last minute capture of Stevie Naismith. Walter made the changes again, showing once more the depth we have in the squad, by resting JCD, McCulloch and Weir for the inclusion of Boyd, Cousin and a long awaited debut for Andy Webster. We reverted back to what seems to be becoming a pattern of 4-4-2 for the league and 4-5-1 for Europe but it took a bit of time to break down a very resilient Gretna side as we lacked a bit of pace to our attacks. In saying that, it has been a part of our play to wear opponents down before overcoming them later in the game.
The end result was conclusive enough though and leaves us still sitting pretty at the top of the SPL and also showed the amazing scoring ability we have throughout the squad with Webster and Cuellar getting in on the action as well.
Today’s team: -
McGregor: - One of his easier clean sheets and has made a confident start to the season, even with the pressure of having Carroll sitting in the wings.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hutton: - Tends to love these kind of games that allow him to express his natural attacking flair. Had to make the defensive challenges too but was more influential going forward.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM Added a bit of flair and urgency that was missing at times)
Cuellar: - Not a lot to do but mopped up any threat that came his way. Was thrown do a gauntlet by new partner, Webster, a duly stepped up to the mark by scoring as well.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Webster: - It was a good day to come in for a debut and it was good to finally see him adorn the Rangers Blue. He kept it tight at the back and managed to bullet a header home as well. A very able replacement for Weir.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Papac: - He managed to get involved more in the game today and pushed forward to support Beasley. Needs to work on the passing but overall not too bad.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Whitaker: - Since his blistering debut he hasn’t quite kept up the high level he set himself. Still has the attributes to hurt teams down the right but wasn’t direct enough for me today.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Bazza: - Not as influential and dominating as he can be but seemed to be targeted to be tightly marked. Came onto a game when it started to open up in the second half.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Thommo: - Worked hard but like Barry, never got the chance to express himself. It was actually a tough shift for him in the middle today.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Beasley: - Not a great day for Beasley today as he struggled with no space in behind to run into. Played a great cameo role midweek but failed to discover that flair today.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Cousin: - Moved around the front line well without really breaking through. I think he needs a few more games just to get his full sharpness.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Boyd: - I’m not so sure if Cousin and Boyd make the ideal partnership but we have the ability to change this round now. He was lucky with the goal but I’m sure he won’t be giving a monkeys about that.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
JCD (On for Cousin): - Strong direst running troubles any defence and he must be in line for a start in the next game.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Novo (On for Boyd): - Didn’t make the impact that he has from the bench previously.
Rmed Verdict: - 4
Naismith (On for Beasley): - Came on to rapturous applause after the transfer saga of the century. Welcome to Ibrox wee man!
Rmed Verdict: - 4
Smith: - Can’t fault a 100% record even though we might have looked a bit lethargic in the first half. 5 out of 5, keep it up Walter!
Rmed Verdict: - 7
We now know the exact squad we have to play with and for me, it’s a very strong squad that is more than capable of bringing home the title and with Walter and Ally at the helm the feel good factor is certainly back down Ibrox way!!
WATP
Baz.
posted by RangersMedia @ 10:47 AM
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