der Berliner

Could it be that part of the upcoming share issue is already subscribed (or whatever word is appropriate) by someone willing to invest, thus making transfer deals re Roofe and Itten possible? Having said that, we have spent not more money this window than last big one, i.e. the Kent window. So in that respect, Morelos sale or no, we might weil be within our budget.

Well, at this stage of the season it is ridiculous. These teams will have games postponed and those will be played at a later date. The opposition of the relevant games may play games of upcoming matchdays against one another instead, essentially fulfilling that match day earlier. Those clubs breaking the rules shall be fined a percentage of their respective turnover ( ? ).

What we see ... and have seen throughout these last few months with a 4-2-3-1 is that we have 2 fullbacks who play more or less in a winger slot, one with good defending and crossing ability, and one who comes up with the odd assist ever other game that papers up the fact that he is no winger and an - by his own standards - average defender. We do play 2 DMs now, more or less to destroy any threats against our CHs, as well as covering the area vacated by our fullbacks. The latter does hamper their ability to go forward, yet if they do, you clearly see that they are both exactly excelling at the productive end. Every now and then Jack an Kamara try a shot, but you can count those by one hand. Of course, it is not their job. THUS, in games like yesterday, when the opposition hardly threatens, why do we need both for so long? Or at all? IF our fullbacks essentially play winger, why not use a winger instead? At least in Tav's case? Because of his odd assists here and there? As I said, a decent modern day winger will provide more assists and even goals, as well as tracking back if need be. And BTW, both Stewart and Jones did the latter, as did Candeias. Yet, we persist with two fullbacks attempting t be wingers, which one does, and 2 DMs who usually do a job one could do as well. Against St. Mirren, we simply could have gone 3 at the back, freeing one fullback slot and 1 DM who does what DMs do, freeing a midfield slot. Send Barasic as a left winger if need be, so he can drop back as a defender in times of need, but use the right fullback slot for a "modern winger" (if Tav poses as a "modern fullback"). That would leave us with a "modern" 3 at the back, 1 DM and 4 other midfielders and 2 strikers. At home, against St Mirren et al. As it stands, we have essentially 3 guys on the park in such games who contribute rather little to the offensive or whose slots can be used for players who can do more. +++ Back on the topical end, some chap in Nigeria says that Lille are seemingly looking at Umar Sadiq instead of Alfredo now, though that should be taken with a spoon of salt.

Where they more often than not play don't change their status, but you know that. We could easily play with a right winger in games like today and have more fun than Tav's medicore shooting and crossing. Only the heavens know how many assists and goals a mediocre winger would have given us.

3-0 ... looks solid a win. We had 22-3 shots on goal, 12-1 corners ... after 60odd minutes. Much effort, far far too little end product. Could have easily send on a winger and a striker on very early on and hammer them, so it was left to Morelos's brace to make it look comfortable. Will never get my head around this line up and team selections, but hope that we can carry on getting results.

De facto 4 defenders and 2 DMs ... and IMHO, had we had one or two more wingers, and one who delivers better than Tavernier for the best part of 2 seasons, we would have had more assists and goals. That assist today as last week's was Tav's only real contribution to the game, at Barasic gets crosses in time and again.

... if only they were wingers. De facto, we play with 4 defenders and 2 DMs ... as we see today. Or any other day.

Aribo somewhat wasted on the wing, Kent full of running and so far, little end product (imagine the bother he would get if his name was Barker and Jones) and thus Hagi with litte and constantly changing partners. IMHO, we need a right winger so Aribo can go central or another striker. We DO NOT need Jack and Kamara, for while Jack does get forward, his offensive abilities are moderate ,,, McCann is saying exactly that, too few targets in the area ... That said, 3 great saves from their goalie and we should be 3 or 4 up by now.

We are really testing the tactical approach of the opposition ever new week. As we have the last 23odd months. I'd also risk an off-from Morelos ahead of an upcoming transfer instead of e.g. Itten or Stewart, who has not even made the bench. Well, well ...

Given that the English teams have only now entered the "summer transfer window" in earnest, I wonder whether any EPL team will go after Alfredo soonish. Regarding Lille's penalties, it is "absurd" that they have to pay UEFA any money (or it is withheld from competitions) when they already have made a loss. Put on its head, Lille would have to avoid a 38m deficit in the next respective period. Obviously, it is Lille's fault, but it does sound strange.

Snatched from FF

Well, having some goal-scoring attackers (mind the plural) will be more significant, as we far too much relied on Morelos last season. Balogun had a fine first game and I wonder whether he might actually be part of a 3-man defence test, with Helander in the middle and Goldson and Balogun on either side. Frees one player for a midfield/attack slot, not least in games where the defense is hardly tested, but has to be wary of counter attacks. Right now, we more often than not have 4 defenders and 2 DMs, which in such games hinders quick forward movement as well as reducing the numbers of attackers in the opposition half. And as long as Tav does not deliver a strong show as wingback, I wouldn't mind chopping him for the sake of a right winger / attacker.

Snatched from FF Gassama at TM Might be wrong, but at the age of 25, he has played a total of ... 76 games?

Sonia O'Neill seemingly still on enforced holidays ... https://postimg.cc/NLFYbLDn

According to various sources like the Glasgow Times, we`ve knocked back a 16.25m bid from Lille for Alfredo. We seemingly want 20m ... and Lille are looking to sign someone else too, for 27m ...

Grab all money you have Thistle and go to court.

Dare I ask whom they play next?

Going by the first 45, if we get anything today, it would be daylight robbery, Bayer will thank UEFA for handing them a pre-paid first friendly fixture for the new season. Bayer looks awesome (as did Braga, BTW), but we never get out of 2nd or 3rd gear. Slow, not covering the areas and anything we get forward is usually wayward.

That BT guy talks some garbage ... Game cries for someone who can play a pass up front, I would assume Hagi will come on at some stage. Morleos looks like he carries a stone or two about, doesn't really get out of 3rd gear.

Here's Barker for a hat-trick then ....

Well, tight at the back ... and Helander won't have to do much running, as he stays close to the area (with loads of experience), experienced DMs/CMs and 2 quick runners either side of a creative Aribo and Morelos up top as Morelos.

Before anyone asks, Barisic, Helander, and Jack are on 2 yellows each and have to be careful regarding the quarter final.

Quick look at Bayer's side: Probable line-up (and their transfer fees in pound sterling - 81.18m) Hradecky (free) - L. Bender (2.25m), Tapsoba (16.2m), S. Bender (11.25m), Sinkgraven (4.5m) - Aranguiz (11.7m), Baumgartlinger (3.6m) - Wirtz (180k), Havertz (free), Diaby (13.5m) - Volland (18m) Subs (and fees - 77.85m): Lomb (free), Özcan (now retired), Dragovic (16.2m), Tah (6.75m), Wendell (5.85m), Palacios (15.3m), Stanilewicz (free), Alario (21.6m), Bailey (12.15m) Missing: Amiri (Covid-19 quarantine), Bellarabi (muscle), Demirbay (3rd yellow card), Grill (not listed), Jedvaj (not listed), Paulinho (knee ligament), Pohjanpalo (not listed), Retsos (not listed), Weiser (3rd yellow card) Possible suspensions: Aranguiz (on 2 yellow cards), Bellarabi (on 2 yellow cards), Wendell (on 2 yellow cards)

Current squad (excluding youngsters): GK - McGregor, Firth DF - Tavernier, Edmundson, Helander, Goldson, Barisic, Katic*, Patterson MF - Hagi, Jack, Davis, Kent, Kamara**, Arfield, Barker AT - Defoe, Aribo, Morelos, Jones, Stewart https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/50121--rangers/squad/ * injured ** suspended

... hm, if 25 % is a key strength, what are the other 75 %? ?