Rousseau

Ah-- some are saying it might be because of the pitch. Taking no chances. Fair enough.

Bacuna not involved at all, either? Frustrating.

I don't expect him to be starting, but I did expect to see him on the bench. Wee set-back? Hopefully not.

That's the same team isn't it, except for Arfield in for Davis? I suspect Kamara will be the sitting player, with Arfield (and Aribo if it's a 3) having a license to go forward a wee bit. Simpson is not involved at all. Surely he's injured?

Isn't the plastic pitch supposed to help prevent those situations? If not, what's the point of the horrid stuff?! Ban them! I do hope it goes ahead.

I'm feeling a bit strange about this game. On the one hand, I've got the fear - but, as @ian1964 will attest, that's not unusual for me. On the other hand, I'm looking forward to seeing the team play, and seeing what GvB has done with more time on the training pitch. I'm caught between opposing emotions!

I agree with a back three in principle, but it can't be composed of two attacking full-backs...

Yes, I agree, hence the "too", adding to what has been said above.

I always saw McAllister as a link between the players and the manager too.

I don't think Gerrard did criticise his lack of goals. In fact, I recall the opposite, where he was defending him, saying his overall game, his overall contribution to the team was more than enough.

Also, what about Morelos' disciplinary record? When he was up top, he got into physical battles, and inevitably got sent off. The majority were calling for his head! 'He's letting the team down...' etc. SG plays him deeper, he doesn't get involved in physical battles (relatively speaking) and doesn't get sent off. But now he doesn't score as many, so he's 'lost his hunger, his nasty streak, his spark'. Now we're wanting it back? Make up your minds! That's my rant for today... 👀

I don't quite understand what you mean? Do you mean Morelos hasn't been playing well in that deeper role? That's patently untrue. He was exceptional last season. Do you mean Morelos is not scoring goals? That's true, yes. But strikers don't have to score goals to be effective (i.e. Firmino at Liverpool). I suppose that does 'destroy' what Morelos was all about (Scoring goals). But, then shouldn't players sacrifice themselves for the team? And, we shouldn't forget, the reason SG played Morelos in that deeper role was because he goes through periods of not scoring, doing nothing otherwise; and if the team is built around a #9 scoring goals, and he doesn't, the whole team is fucked. By playing Morelos deeper, SG gets more out of him as a team player, but is then not dependent on one player. I disagree completely with this narrative that he's been poor because he's playing deeper; it's simply untrue. However, I sympathise with the desire to see Morelos scoring regularly (even if I don't believe he was ever like that; it was always in fits and bursts). I love the guy; I love it when he's torn faced.

I agree, but I don't think Simpson is in the European squad?

Are we all just going to gloss over the fact that Morelos was exceptional last season, playing that deeper role? I can't believe how quickly the narrative switches. He's been sh*te this season, but so has everyone else.

Vos seems to be the tactical coach we wanted. I'm not entirely convinced of this, simply because he was coaching in the Ajax system, which is quite authoritative. He's not coaching 'his' ideas, if you know what I mean, it's Ajax ideas. However, taking some of the Ajax ideas cannot be a bad thing, can it? I think it's an exciting appointment, nonetheless. He seems to be a good developer of players, from what I've read.

Livingston 0 - 1 Rangers FGS Morelos #PessimisticLoyal

Why are all these players collapsing on the field? There was a lad playing for Sheriff that collapsed recently, a Belgian player not long since, Fleck was hospitalised, there's now a player in League One that just collapsed, and Aguero has just retired because of chest pains. And, of course, Eriksen in the summer. Are they being pushed too hard?

Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle Palace 1-1 Villa Liverpool 3-0 So’ton Canaries 2-3 Wolves BHA 1-0 Leeds Brentford 1-0 Everton Burnley 2-2 ‘Spurs Leicester 1-2 Watford City 3-0 Hammers Chelsea 2-0 United

I got the same deal! No, it can't. I had to cancel then make another account. I've got a few emails lying about, so it wasn't difficult.

I'm not sure if this is appropriate or not (@Frankie?), but there's an offer for The Athletic, if you're so inclined. It's currently £1 per month for 12 months: https://theathletic.com/checkout2/intro12monthly/?source=video_youtube_contentvideo They've got a lot of good writers. Jordan Campbell does a fair few Rangers articles. The content's great, but I wouldn't pay the usual £7.99 per month for it. It's pretty good for a quid.

I went with Bassey. I just loved his attitude. I don't see him as a CB going forward, though. I thought Kamara was immense.

I would.