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Last season for Rangers fans was very much one of ups and downs. From the incredible high of beating RB Leipzig to reach the Europa League final to the low of surrendering our league title to Celtic, it's fair to say 2021/22 was somewhat of a roller-coaster. However, finishing the season by beating Hearts in the Scottish Cup final - despite the pain of losing in Seville - pointed to a positive future with a squad who believed in their quality and were fit enough to compete on several fronts. With that in mind, fans were excited about the new season. Less European qualifiers were required, our transfer business was done before the competitive fixtures kicked off and aside from one or two areas of concern in the team, most fans felt we had squad more than capable of challenging Celtic for the title once again. By the end of August, that confidence remained fairly high - we'd qualified for the Champions League group stage (no small feat with a fine away win in Eindhoven) and were unlucky to drop points at Easter Road ; a match impacted by a red card that was later rescinded. Less than a week into September though, matters took a turn for the worse. Three quick-fire hammerings from Celtic, Ajax and Napoli with the loss of players to injury as well as the poor form of various others soon put a negative focus onto the manager and our style of play. At this point it's only fair to note that from the outset the appointment of Gio was one the fans knew would deliver a team conservative in style. 'Keep the Zero' was his mantra and even a Feyenoord supporting guest on our podcast acknowledged the defensive nature of his outlook where he liked his teams to control games as opposed to all-out attack. This had been noted during his first six months at Ibrox with some commentators noting this style worked well in Europe but could be less effective in the SPFL. However, it was also hoped a summer of coaching and new additions to his staff (both playing and off-the-field) would result in that balance being improved. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have happened. Indeed, at first glance further European defeats to Liverpool whilst maintaining a winning record domestically may suggest van Bronckhorst has erred in the wrong direction. Perhaps, instead of maintaining our competitiveness in Europe, he’s left us too open in such games in order for us to carry more of a threat into league matches? Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with our form against weaker opposition as much a concern of that against Europe’s elite. Valid reasons can explain our issues in Europe – the main one being the step up in class from the Europa League to the Champions League. For example, although our Euro wins last season remain impressive, those teams just weren’t on the same level as Liverpool, Ajax or an exciting Napoli side currently top of our group and Serie A. Add in issues with injuries and just some general poor form, accruing even a point from our section may prove beyond us. There’s no immediate shame in that. Even so, at the very least, we can expect a well-motivated, well-organised effort in such games. Yes, important players may miss out or one or two can play badly but aside from a reasonable first hour in the two home matches against Napoli and Liverpool, we simply haven’t turned up. Add in a dreadful display away to Union SG in the qualifiers, then the manager has to take ownership of our struggles which aren’t unique to the last few weeks. In general, though, I think it’s a valid point to separate our European and league efforts this season. In hindsight, qualifying for the CL was perhaps reward enough after reaching the Europa League final – certainly, it represents progress and will be one KPI the manager would be positively judged on. On the other hand our domestic form has to be viewed differently. Ironically, by and large, results have been fairly good with only five points dropped – two of which at Easter Road along with the defeat to Celtic at Parkhead.; neither of which are unsurprising or unexpected across our history. Goal difference is also reasonable; we’re scoring a fair amount and not conceding too many despite having issues at goalkeeper and defence. A cursory look at Gio’s win rate shows him as high as any Rangers manager even if his sample size is smaller compared to others. Overall, a neutral observer might wonder why so many fans are now calling for the manager to be sacked? Style of play and quality of performance therein are the main justifications. Despite that longer summer of pre-season preparation, the only tactical changes of note were to a disastrous zonal marking system (soon disposed of), the odd change to a back three in European games (equally less than successful) and using our full-backs inside of the winger (perhaps more down to our captain carrying an injury than a deliberate amendment). In fact, it’s not immediately discernible to much more informed tactical observers than me as to what our playing identity is. But there's certainly no tempo, minimal fluency and we carry a minimal attacking threat for long periods in most games. The oft talked about ‘horse-shoe’ recycling of possession is used in a negative sense to criticise our ponderous use of the ball and the manager’s preferences for two wingers and long diagonals long sussed out by opposition defences. Gio has also been very clear (or was initially) that he wouldn’t play with two strikers. This means our goal-scoring talisman of recent years has hardly got a look in this term. Add in other problems, such as the failure to strengthen in central midfield meaning we’re relying on Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and the perennially injured Ryan Jack and our decision to spend the thick end of £5m on a reserve Turkish left back means that any sympathy for our engine room issues are in short supply. To be fair to the manager, he’s not offered much excuses as to our bad form. After the team were jeered off against Dundee in the League Cup this week, he said he understood supporter frustration and that he and the players needed to do better. That’s a positive but, aside from injured players returning (Roofe might help and Lawrence definitely will), Gio is struggling to get any sort of tune out of his current players. It might only be October but ask a fan to name a player immune from criticism then they may struggle. Antonio Colak has scored goals and been an initial success but there are few others. If one or two players are off form, that can be blamed on those individuals, if the vast majority of the team are struggling, then there’s an obvious disconnect somewhere. Should the manager be sacked then? It’s somewhat of a cop out but I can’t see that happening right now even if it might be an inevitability. Rangers Football Club didn’t become Scotland’s most successful team by changing managers during difficult times – especially when they can point to a reasonable record results-wise over their first year in charge, including reaching a European final. As such, unless we go on a run of domestic losses before the World Cup break, it would be a big surprise to see us remove Gio before then (the final two CL results shouldn’t be factors). That will allow the manager to regroup and give him another four weeks to instil his vision into the squad. Players returning from injury will help but he’ll have another five games – including Hibs, Aberdeen and Celtic – to navigate successfully before the transfer window opens again in January. Do we really think we’ll win all our games between now and Celtic at Ibrox? I doubt many fans have confidence in such a run but the preferred alternative in replacing the manager is equally difficult to predict. As it stands there appears to be issues throughout the club. The Communications Director recently resigned, various scouts have gone and the Sporting Director has come under criticism for the status of the squad. No matter your opinion on these issues, it seems obvious that the squad will undergo further changes through the next 2-3 transfer windows. As such, do we believe Ross Wilson and Gio have the relationship to do that effectively on the limited budget we’re told we have? Or should someone else be brought in to make the kind of decisions will affect the club for the short and medium term? If so, who? Mick Beale has just turned down Wolves so will he really fancy the gamble of coming back to Ibrox? Which Scottish managers would we trust? Or can we find a left-field foreign appointment like Celtic to bring back excitement and success? Nothing is guaranteed regardless. To conclude, fifteen hundred words in and I’m afraid I’m no closer to a definitive answer to the article’s question. There’s no doubt we’re in difficult times but we’ve all been through worse. Yet this still seems to be a key juncture in the club’s immediate future. I won’t pretend to know the solution and, I would suggest when a team is being booed from the park after a win, then a change will surely be inevitable but I also don’t think the van Bronckhorst story at Rangers is finished yet. The next few weeks will tell us more. Let’s just hope the viewing in that time is better than we’ve seen in recent weeks. One thing is certain, it can’t be much worse.

The Sakala incident was very much handbags from both players. Their player kept Sakala's leg tangled to stop him getting up so he kicked out lightly to free himself. Never a red card.

Mr Miyagi for physio

Thoughts and payers with his family and friends at this sad time. Its been a terrible year.....

2 points off the leaders after 10 games, qualification to CL secured and now into semi-final of the League Cup. Have we sacked a manager previously who could claim the above? We often say that player wise, you build from a position of strength, but with managers it's the opposite. Gio has the look and sound of a beaten man, but what are the alternatives? Would any other manager be able to get any better out of an aging, out of form and injury ravaged squad? We missed the boat after 55 and appear to be unable to release the funds required to add genuine quality to the squad and changing manager won't solve that issue.

Maybe he just wants to stay at QPR. They might be swapping places with Wolves in the EPL next year if he can keep things going.

Kerr rolled about cheating to get Sakala red carded but for once Collum took his time making his decision and correctly booked both players.

Injuries are a key issue for us right now as is our lack of midfield. However, we're a predictable team with no real system which carries a minimal threat and seems to lack fitness, belief and motivation. That's down to coaching and I'm struggling to see how the manager turns this around. Unfortunately, I'd suggest it's a matter of time. Might not happen this year as long as he keeps getting domestic wins but it will happen eventually if our form doesn't improve as we won't beat Celtic next time out.

"DJRFCWINDASS"? A real legend. @DJRFCGVB

Do people seriously think there aren't obtainable coaches who could get better out of this squad?

[TL/DR] MotM: Leon King Reasonable: Yilmaz and Wright Poor: Sakala and Arfield Positive: Mins for Morelos and Roofe Negatives: No tempo, no leaders, minimal threat Injured: Tavernier (there's bad form and there's clearly unable to run beyond a jog)

That was soul destroying and that bad that Dundee looks the fitter team in the second half and was waiting for them scoring near the end to force extra time. I would lay most of the blame with the players for last nights lackluster performance. There is no way the manager sets the team up to play a dull boring passing game with no end product. Sure the manager lays out tactics but really what tactics do players need to beat a first division outfit? When the players step over the white line it's up to them to perform, not many did last night. They need to roll up their sleeves and leave everything on the pitch, every game, not many are even get close to acceptable. If they are not playing for the manager then i demand, as a paying fan, that they do it for me and every other fan who pays to watch and so far this season they are serving us up shite. I don't care what goes or going on behind the scenes, when it comes to match day give your fucking all.

Can't see Alfredo being about too long then.

Her silent partner, and primary business associate. Mr. Montana is a successful Miami/Dade venture capitalist. His business interests range pharmaceutical manufacture, and importation, real estate acquisition, home security, and arms. Mr. Montana is a native of Guantanamo, Cuba.

We all love a fit Ryan Jack but it's very unlikely that player exists any more. Unfortunately we need to move on.

One minute we can't afford to sack Gio and the next we can offer a wage comparable to Wolves!?

Those kits were correct. 'Zero Emission' That team has no fire.

In fairness tillman was passable too.

Forgot about that save - was certainly an important one.

Like I say, I get wanting our captain on the park - makes sense, even if he's struggling for form. However, when he can't get back to offer defensive cover/instruction, leaving gaps as a result and can only take set pieces short, then that logic soon becomes illogical.

Tav is a talisman and our captain so I get neither he or the manager want to lose his usual vital contribution to the team. However, right now, he's not leading nor contributing effectively. I'm stunned Devine wasn't preferred last night.

I was thinking DJRFC_Capucho

Minimal end product for sure but, embarrassingly, he was perhaps the only attacking player that was at least direct and tried to beat his man. I was very much turd polishing this morning.

He was 1st half. By far. Second half wasnt on it at all.

Yes, injuries will continue. There will always be injuries. I don't believe the players "don't want to be here", I just think they're badly out of form. A fresh managerial approach will rejuvenate them. (Although, saying that, I do want to see the back of Kent, so I'd let him go...) I don't think a new manager needs "backed". That's the benefit of having a DoF. We can continue to assemble the team regardless of manager. Managerial appointments should be the remit of the DoF. Was Gerrard Wilson's first appointment? It wasn't Pedro was it... !? "Top drawer" managers are few and far between, but solid coaches that can implement a style are not some mythical creatures. What about the nobody they appointed? He didn't even have the right coaching badges!

I think maybe short term but a number of issues will still remain. Our injury prone players, current injury list, players who need game time managed, lack of available for certain positions that has been apparent for a number of seasons now, players who don’t want to be here (Kent, Morelos, Kamara). Do we have funds to back a new manager In January or will they get a free tour of NEH and a crock on loan/Man U youth in as reinforcements. This board don’t have a great track record in appointing managers. Gerrard was the only one that really worked out and even that took time and had limited success. We have famously stuck by our managers over the years and unless we can get a top drawer guy in to polish this turd that is our current situation I’ll stick thanks. Boring winning football is better than Warburton, Pedro and Murty. People forget how boring and bad we were at times under Gerrard too. Home defeat to Hamilton anyone?

What’s that saying, a fish rots from the head down. That’s our club right now. Not convinced Gio is the answer but a change of manager won’t fix it.

Fulham 3-0 Villa. Gerrard likely to be a free agent soon. I wouldn’t want him back under any circumstance. His overall record was not a good one. 55 had a lot to do with celtic’s hubris though, to be honest I wasn’t caring a toss at the time. Arsenal could only beat PSV 1-0.

it's a strange one to some extent. As Bill pointed out he has never lost to anyone other than Celtc in the league. He has won every domestic cup game played. He made the EL final and the CL group stages. he also has 3 defeats and a draw against Celtc no wins. Ultimately the issue is how far players have regressed under him. Performances are god awful

Those Yankee broads !! Seriously, she would bring nowt good.

Apparently Lundstram admitted on that podcast he did with Paddy Pimblet that he has been playing with an injury for a few weeks and has been for a scan.. 🤦‍♀️

So backing a good coach with money to bring in thier own players = good results. Glad we agree

Morelos was his usual self on the ball - good one minute, poor the next. The service he had was awful though - especially in the second half - but he also passed up a great first half chance.

Where did I say Lennon, the failed Hibs and Omonia Nicosia manager could play the same way with Ange's players? My whole point was Ange plays this way with his players because he was financially backed to go get HIS players. Not sure how them spending big money on Jota, CCV and small money on Juranovic, Abada, Kyogo, wee baldy runabout man and O'Rielly is going to come back and haunt them. Doesn't seem to be haunting them much right now. The wheels will come off the Ange thing at some point in the next couple of years but they will do what they do well and turn around players for profit.

I didn't see the game, but going by the highlights, Wright looked our most threatening player.

They spent £15m, £20m and £14m prior to Ange's £18m over the last two seasons. If you think it's solely down to money, that Lennon could play the same way with Ange's players, then I can't help you. (I actually don't have a problem with them spending £20m a year. Let them get on with it. It'll come back to haunt them.) There is a real fitness/injury issue at the moment - outwith having 3/4 perma-crocked players. Our fitness was supreme under SG and Milsom, with the same players. We should see about replacing our fitness/conditioning coach - it's not as if the football is intense! We don't even need a managerial "Jesus". A good coach is enough; just someone that can implement a style. I don't think that's outwith the realms of possibility.

Still in the cup races, and second place in the table. Is it like watching glaciers melt...yeah.

Instead of “The ‘Zero % Mission” I would rather Rangers just stopped promoting gambling altogether. No amount of sponsorship money justifies our club contributing to the human exploitation that flows from this miserable activity.