Gribz

Here's my tips for the weekend. Considering ive had a few decent returns lately of 650 and 580 bucks Im going to be putting a bet on a few games. Man City 1-1 Chelsea Palace 1-0 Southampton Stoke 2-0 Burnley Sunderland 1-0 Leicester Tottenham 4-0 Swansea West Brom 2-1 Watford West Ham 0-3 Arsenal Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool Everton 1-1 Man Utd Middlesbrough 1-0 Hull

Big game today. The players owe the fans a performance. Good preview. Considering I went to school in Aberdeen I know the hatred is vile. I remember being spat on and kicked as a 15 year old coming out of Pittodrie after Rangers won there by grown ups...mind you I was giving it the full Gers songs in the wrong end if you like - A lot of Gers fans used to sit in Section F of the main stand. I would like to see this but no chance MW will pick it: Foderingham Hodson Senderos Hill Wallace Halliday Waghorn Forrester Windass O'Hallaran Miller

I want the players to do their talking on the pitch this Saturday. We are due a good performance with 3 points.

Wind up or not in the OP it may be a bit valid. (Although I think saying we could still win the league would have been a more obvious wind up merchant). Expectations this season were based on last seasons good football and a semi final where we played extremely well. Assumptions kicked in that because we had a bit of a cash injection and 50000 sell outs every week that we could straight away be top 2. But after a mass overhaul of the squad just 3-4 months ago it doesn't quite work like that. Now for me we could be easily sitting second place if we changed tactics - this IMO is the reason we aren't sitting 2nd, its our own issues which have been discussed this week i.e. the formation isn't right. There is no doubt that when every team in this league play us its their cup final and re-union with the Ex wife that they love to hate - therefore they up there game 20%. So yes we are going to find games more challenging, but I still think overall there isn't much between half the teams in the top flight compared to the Championship. We seemed to have a better relationship with the teams outwith the SPL and was welcomed all over the country expect for when Hibs and Hearts dropped in and possible St Mirren. I said at the start of the season while Europa League would have been financially welcomed this season it would have hampered our league position. Can you imagine the current performances in Europe then going from Thursday to Sunday? It would possibly have cost us a league position or two. So for me this season is about solidarity and improvements - something the management and players have to get right starting on Saturday against Aberdeen who haven't won at Ibrox in a quart of a century. Judgement will be at the end of the season. If we was sitting around 7th right now then alarm bells should be ringing, but two good wins in the next 8 days puts us in a nice position. Second should be the target now with 3rd probably acceptable should there not be a big gap between 3rd and 2nd. If we ever get the Ashley issue sorted then further funds would flood in and then you could start talking about budgets.

Agree with much of that. The best centre half pairing has to be Hill and Senderos. The latters confidence is shot after his debut but he has done much more in his career that Kiernan and Wilson who are going backwards. Senderos just needs a run of games and he can adapt just like Hill did who started poorly first few games but started to come good. Hodson, Senderos, Hill and Wallace may be what is required for a few games at the back.

No. I said promoting within worked when its from a winning team (i.e. Smith) but I agreed with the post that it wouldn't work from a failing side.

It can be different and set up like a 4-1-4-1 rather then 4-3-3 plus the personnel get shifted into positions that are more natural to them.

Walter Smith worked with a winning team but agree with when its failing.

Agree fully RE the change of system but Waghorn upfront for me. In a 4-5-1 Id like to see MOH on the right with McKay on the left then Forrester and Windass in the creative central roles. Alternatively MOH on the left and Waghorn on the right with Miller or Dodoo upfront. 3-5-2 isn't possible at the moment as I don't think we have 3 centre halves fit enough. You'd have to put Wallace in the 3 which takes him out of being the wing back.

You may have a point. He has done the opposite of what almost everyone in football does - have a challenging lifestyle and career first then the luxury of football after. As for Waghorn, Im baffled on this one and want to see him back in the team.

Well with Aberdeen and Hearts being the next 2 games that could be decisive. I think every Bear expects a huge reaction and performance on Saturday.

Its too early to be calling for the manager to go as he deserves a bit more time but I cant understand why he doesn't see the tactics need to change, that's concerning. He has to scrap this 4-3-3. Its to easy to play against when we don't have the right personnel. We have to switch to 4-1-4-1 or 4-4-2 (4-1-3-2). Even 3-5-2 would suit our squad better but this 4-3-3 doesn't work with square pegs round holes. He also has to let Tavernier off the leash going forward again.

Last season Tav was our best wide player, he and Waghorn were awesome at times on the right. Now Tav doesnt attack and Waghorn doesnt get a game. We are far too easy to suss out now espeially with no plan B.

Ive been saying it all season its this 4-3-3 formation. Its ruining our players. It worked last season with 3 real strikers with Waghorn one of them, now either Forrester, Mckay or MOH is being shuffled in when they are creative attacking midfielders / wide men.

Ive a slight dilemna, due to the english cup games the channel that shows SPL games are only showing the rangers game tonight on delayed telecast fully after the match - what a royal pain in the butt I just got up for it to....so now do I look away and wait until 6am (10pm GMT) or watch the scores on here....

I was of the understanding he was a defensive midfielder who can also play centre half Ian. My worry would be he hasnt kicked a ball yet so cant be near match fit.

One of my favourite visits the ibrox that night, my first CL games that season and the performances were sublime. Valencia were the only side who we didnt match in those two years, yet they were finalists.

McCann has a bit of class about him as well as being a top analyst. He also works for Premier League TV in England and Co-commentates on a game each week and again always is spot on. He could offer a lot on the coaching field - I mean training ground (sounded a bit American there). I can only see Garner ever fitting into a 4-4-2 playing off a mobile partner, thus far he is the new Boyd without the tap ins rather than Sebo. At least Sebo got himself about.

Agree with all Pete has said in the preview. I just have to look at Chelsea to see how well a team has clicked with a change of formation. I think the 4-3-3 is what is holding us back at the moment, the blend just isn't right. I agree with SteveC in that Halliday is beginning to look a bit jaded and when Rossiter is fit it will be refreshing. I would like to see a change on Wed with the following team: Foderingham Tavernier Senderos Wilson Wallace Holt OHallaran Forrester McKay Dodoo Miller

Bit of that plus I don't think he wants to be at Man Utd after all and possible is intentionally doing these things. Alternatively throwing the toys out the pram again so he gets an open cheque book for a new team. But publically having a go at players creates issues in the dressing room, Shaw and Smalling got it and now Marcel.

Man City left a few big hitters like De Bruyne and Silva on the bench last weekend so they are bound to start on Saturday. That said I will put a few quid on a draw. Chelsea look solid in defensive midfield and Pedro is like a new 30million pound signing.

Cant ask for anything except being pulled out in a home tie, that's bonus one. Secondly Motherwell are poor and it will be good to beat McGhee.

But the league positions wasn't true reflections so early in the season and to be fair Conte hadn't installed his system. Lost at Arsenal and at home to Liverpool. but thumped Man Utd and beat Spurs since then. You have to admire the way Conte turned things around. They started the season well despite not playing well then went on a poor run. You have to also give the players credit for buying into his way of play so soon and for it to just click instantly is a job well done to everyone. Well done to Conte for sticking to his guns in a system that has served him so well. You just have to look at Mourinho who cant change things at Man Utd despite having the players available. Why Mourinho doesn't play Carrick and Herrera holding then a 3 of Mkhitaryan, Mata and Pogba as the offensive 3 is mind boggling. Lingard isn't a bad player but seems to be first pick on the right and Rashford is thrown out on the left.

For me id switch to a 4-1-3-2 or 4-1-4-1 Defence can pick itself. But the midfield and forward as this with the 3 switching roles (although perhaps Rossiter in for Halliday once fit): Halliday Ohallaran Forrester McKay Miller Dodoo In a 4-1-4-1 with again the 4 switching roles (again Rossiter in for Halliday when fit): Halliday OHallaran Holt Forrester McKay Miller Options with the latter formation is Windass can fit in at anytime as can Crooks and Rossiter for Halliday if they ever get fit. Dodoo, Waghorn and Garner all options for Miller. I still think Waghorn has something to offer on the inside right or through the middle when he gets his confidence back.

Had West Ham to get a draw but unfortunately also had Everton to draw at Southampton. Man Utd go to Everton next week and I cant see them winning that either, they will slip further behind. 6th is the highest I can see them get at the moment. But I don't get why Mourinho isn't playing his best side. He got it right against Feyenoord but opted for changes again on Sunday. Plus sent off again, its almost like he is trying to get the sack for a pay out then go into international management.