Gribz

West Ham cost me a coupon for the second week running. Deep problems there at the back. Everton looking refreshingly good. I did say Koeman should have stayed at Southampton one more season then got the Arsenal gig or even Barcelona in a few years time as I thought Everton was a slightly side ways step at the time but with their investment only a large stadium is preventing that club now from being top 4 contenders every year.

But its the timing of going on Talksport. He was asked to go and reflect and he should be doing that. By going on National Radio shows there is a disruption in the camp the night before a game - its a total knee jerk rush of blood call. He should went away, kept low key, waited until Monday after meeting with the manager then could have spoke about it on radio. On the playing side he should have been dropped anyway this weekend, he is clearly not fit. He even admitted on Talksport he didn't have a pre-season yet he was doing media enough in the summer, perhaps he should do a mini preseason now, stay off twitter and come back in 2 weeks. You don't get sent away for nothing.

Thought this would be a banker 2-2 draw. Chelsea certainly not the same team, I thought it would be a see-saw season for them but will be involved in plenty high goalscoring games. Liverpool beginning to click. It will be them Everton and Spurs going for two CL spots. I expect the Manchester clubs will ease the top two but some having doubts about Utd following 2 defeats.

Straight swap Halliday from my team. McKay could be done with a rest also, started the season bright but tailed in the last 2, time to give the team a freshen up. I forgot about MOH, he is worth a run out. But selection wise we also have a cup game ahead of a trip to Pittodrie so there will be plenty chances in the next few days including the likes of Crooks to get some game time.

You have to remember last term we had Ball sitting also. I think that has had an impact on the Midfield though.

In a strange way the Barton issue could help the playing side. He was almost starting to look un droppable but now he will have to perform if he is to continue. With the squad almost fully fit it should be a team on merit from now on and last week MW got it wrong for the first time with playing both Barton and Kranjcar plus two out and out centre forwards - its learning curve for him and time to get back to how we play best using the neat players like Forrester, Waghorn and now Windass. The players could be reminded not to put much significance on last weeks result at the moment, if we lost the next OF derby by the same then it would show a gap. But better Rangers teams have had heavy defeats also but it happens in that fixture. In the past i.e. 1988/98 we won 5-1 with Wilkins belter then they wont the next 3-1, then we followed up with a 4-1 NY game. Under Advocaat they won 6-2 then the next game was 5-1 us on Flo's debut. It happens. So it is all about reaction against Ross County and to get 3 points with a much better performance. If Rossiter and Holt are available Id go: Foderingham Tavernier Wilson Hill Wallace Rossiter Windass Forrester Holt Waghorn Miller

MW has done the right thing, he wont take any nonsense that upsets the group - remove the bad apple from the camp and come back after the next game and take the situation from there. Barton would start a fight in a phone box but I thought he would come to Ibrox and mature this season. Had this happened or not he had to sit out the Ross County match as he has been well off the pace so far. Kranjcar has been also but perhaps without Barton Kranjcars game could improve. The team needs to get back playing fluid football and while a holding midfielder is needed to protect the weak defence Barton has found the style of the league tricky to adapt to.

I think if you break it into a mini league of Rangers, Aberdeen and Hearts - its a must we finish higher than them.

Great to see the New Years traditional fixture back.

Lets see our bouncebackability. It would be good to see the team being freshened up with Rossiter, Holt, Waghorn, Forrester all being back in the starting line up and Windass continuing. Also have a soft spot for the Highlanders, as said previously it is a bit of Bear country.

One of them called up Talksport and blamed the size of the pitch and the heat. He claimed the pitch looked bigger than average.

I don't know how may games Costa has got away with decisions this season, all 3 of the opening games. But I felt he was touched against Swansea and wasn't an obviously dive like previous. His goal was touch and go for dangerous play as was Koscienlys for Arsenal.

I have Man Utd to win it but seems Pep has got his number. Its still early though, City have got mistakes in them at the back.

PS there is a good game in the Championship today - Aston Villa v Notts Forest. First time two former European cup winners play outside of a top flight. That is an attractive leave and should be Premier League 2.

Bravo 15M to city?? Looks a bit scary. Liverpool looked good against Leicester who are back down to earth - they will probably get stuffed in the CL this week even at Brugge. I thought Stoke would be a good side this season, they are off to a shocker. West Ham cost me coupon yesterday, off to a great start with Payet playing a stormer. I don't think they are settling in the London Stadium. Its got a neutral feel about it. Arsenal - jammy jammy. Over to Chelsea today and Everton tomorrow.

The dust settling and I think we are still learning a lot about this new team. People have to remember we are still a new side and gelling. Our issues are obvious at the back, Senderos was brought in and had a nightmare debut but he isn't the first person to be sent off on an OF debut. The manager has to be doing some work with the defence on the training ground. Clint Hill was brought in with a wealth of experience and has to step up, the other option is Crooks and if he has an impact like his former Accrington team mate Windass then he will be a good addition. Id like to see a few changes and going 4-1-4-1 which is adaptable and see something similar to this in the next game. Kranjcar is clearly off the pace and Barton hasn't fully adapted to the league yet. Up top Dodoo's injury is unfortunate and he could be a good addition. ___________________________Foderingham_______________________ Tavenier__________Wilson______________Hill_____________Wallace ____________________________Rossiter____________________________ Waghorn__________Forrester______Holt_______________Windass _____________________________Miller_____________________________

It will be all about how we respond. Ross County at home is a good fixture to get back on track before a tricky trip to Pittodrie which will be another ugly environment.

And is it going to get any better soon? This is where I don't get coaching....Assistant manager was one of the finest centre half's this country has produced and this is the glowing area of concern. If Bougherra is a free agent he should be snapped up straight away.

Far from it. I thought MW recruited well all summer but don't see him fitting in. Granted only a match and a half.

Quite good to see Jose on the losing side again. Big statement from City. Arsenal were jammy, 94th min penalty which was soft. Spurs look to have clicked, absolute thumping Stoke.

Agreed Craig and I think 4-1-4-1 may suit us. Unfortunately Barton hasn't adapted to the fast pace of this league - that's by no means his fault, he is used to more time on the ball, its as much a reflection on the way our game is poor. Id like to see Waghorn on the inside right, Forrester and Holt in the centre with Windass on the inside left. With Rossiter holding. Its good to have options there though. Our defence is a concern. We have 2 good full backs but centre half is looking very weak.

Come on Kranjcar isn't that fast Miller and Garner are both centre forwards / No.9s so unless its a 4-4-2 they wont work together. Its still early in Garner's days but Im not sure what he can bring when we are a passing side. Windass energy will be good in most games, this was his debut so he isn't even 100% yet. It would be good to see him in the same team as Forrester and Holt with Rossiter holding.

I think the set up of the team has something to do with it as well Coop. MW hasn't found the right blend so far. This season was always going to be about settling into the top flight again and making progress. Better Rangers teams have had similar results against them so it can be put down as a one off. Where it will get scary is if we went to Pittodrie and Tynecastle and got those results, I would be worrying then. I think its back to the drawing board for MW with picking the team. Waghorn being back is a help and Windass should start again.

MW got it wrong today - first time Ive said that. Having Miller and Garner together was a non starter. And they looked fitter and faster than us all over the park. It looked like some of the awful days under McLeish there. Kranjcar looks finished. He can pass a ball but cant run, he looks like he is playing exhibition matches. Garner looks a waste of money, not a MW type of player at all. Windass looks a player.

I like the Windass inclusion... Kranjcar though? He looks stale and cant run...we will need bodies moving in this game. Garner - Cant see how he and Miller can play together unless its 4-4-2