Rousseau

Another good workout. Another good performance and result. I'll take that.

I nipped away for a minute! Who scored?

Katic nods the header towards goal from the corner, 'keeper palms it away, but Goldson stabs it in at the far post. 3-0. My clock disappeared so I don't know what minute it was scored.

Good build-up between Barasic and Jones. Defoe's shot is saved, and Tavernier hits the rebound wide. Should've scored.

What is Madden all about? Useless.

If Candeias keeps this up, however, he has to play!

I love the guy too. You said you couldn't get your head around his removal. I merely provided a reason. I suspect it's more to do with his position: SG wants a inside forward-type, with good ball-control (a la Arfield, Jones, Ojo, Stewart etc), while Candeias is more of an out-and-out winger.

WHAT A GOAL!!! Pin-point forward pass from Jack over the top, excellent first-time control from Candeias and he dinks it past the 'keeper.

Case in point: today he's twice had a simple pass to guarantee a goal, but he's hit the defender both times.

His work-rate is phenomenal, but he just doesn't create or score enough.

1-0, Candeias! Good work in the press, Morelos lays into the path of Candeias, who smashes into the net. Good finish.

My words! Aribo's close control is sublime to watch!

I had no idea. I stand corrected.

Flanagan's not had a sniff at all, has he? Days numbered?

RANGERS: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic; Jack, Davis, Aribo; Candeias, Jones, Morelos. SUBS: Foderingham, Polster, Mayo, Katic, Halliday, Docherty, Kamara, Ojo, Defoe, Murphy.

Will Helander get some minutes, or will it be too soon? Surely he's stared his pre-season at Bologna? Edit: No Helander. Oh well...

I think @DMAA above is pretty spot on with the starting XI, IMO. Although, I actually see Jones playing quite often. He's impressed me, from what little we've seen.

"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius. Commander of the Armies of the North. General of the Felix Legions. Loyal servant to the true Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife –

Thanks for that; that was interesting. I feel he's a really frustrating player! In the sense that he has a decent all-round game, but perhaps not a master at anything. Is that harsh? You're right. However... His passing looks poor because he played further forward. (Having a look, he played CM/CAM, ahead of two DMs, in a 3-5-2 quite often.) From a team at the bottom of the league, I would expect a lot of high energy attacks, with little support, that fizzle out. I think that's what his stats show -- I certainly recall a lot of video clips of him running 50 yards plus to take a shot. His best attributes are dribbles, forward passes, passes into the box, touches in the box (I suspect the box at Shrewsbury would be pretty open?), and shots. All of that, to me, suggests he suits the RCM position in our team; that's what we'd need. He maybe doesn't have the controlled passing of a Kamara or Davis, but his ability to get forward by carrying the ball will be useful, I feel. I know I was rather frustrated at our inability to carry the ball past players last season, to open up space. His defensive duels and fouls interest me: he makes a lot of duels and fouls, but loses most of them. I suspect he's stopping counters. I doubt he'll win many, chasing back that way. Again, I think that suits a RCM role in our team. If we're countered, I'd like our players to foul. I don't need to tell you about Man City! The least little hint of a counter and Fernandinho has clattered the attacker! We need that.