Rousseau

Clearly this winter break is affecting us. We're not able to continue where we left off. Gerrard was aware of this; he mentioned it a few times and looked to rectify the issue. Did he not try to implement a more intense training regime over in Dubai? Maybe they need the break, more than a gruelling training regimen? When we returned, we were lethargic and leggy. There wasn't a lack of confidence, but just an inability to get back to our increased tempo. We got away with it at the start, but then we suffered some back results, which then hit the confidence. When it's at its worse, they look like complete strangers. We're in this vicious spiral, struggling to extricate ourselves. We turned it on for 20 minutes or so against Braga, reversing a 0-2 deficit, which is quite remarkable. That almost suggests it's not the strategy or tactics: we can turn over most teams when we turn up the tempo. Saying that, I do think we need another way of playing. Which is not to say SG has not been trying: we've had a 4-2-3-1 recently, and then on Sunday there we went with a 4-4-2 (or more accurately a 4-2-2-2). I felt the attacking confidence returned, but then we were undone with poor defending; Katic and Goldson seemed to sh*te themselves over the most basic of long balls. It's not just one thing.

The one thing I'm pleased about was the change in formation (4-4-2 / 4-2-2-2). It was well conceived and executed. I'd like to see more of it. The 4-2-2-2 is the standard formation that RB Leipzig play, with the 3-4-1-2 rotated in for certain games. We have the players to play that way, but it takes a lot of work on the training ground. We messed up with those late changes, but quite frankly, we still should have had enough to beat them.

I thought Kent started to have a better 2nd half, then regressed to the mean.

Very few points picked up -- quite correctly, we didn't expect to not win against lowly St Johnstone! No Correct Score. Rousseau, One, compo, BEARGER, Stevie, Les, BD, Yorkie, r_s and T-1000 gained 1 point for the Correct Number of Rangers Goals. No FGS. No Correct Score. Latest Standings:

We deserved to win that, but ultimately, we were not good enough.

I feel like we've just never got the ball under control.

They've done nothing all game. It's always the same, with us.

F*ck.

What about the ball control from Gerrard on the sidelines! Cool as you like.

Damn: we've had 20 attempts. Kent's had a much better 2nd half.

Can we contact that Chinese club about Morelos... ? I'm being harsh; he's just having a bit of a dry spell. He'll be back. Good chance, and he makes the right decision to lift it high, but it's just a little too high.

Kamberi has been the difference. The change in formation has been vital too, so credit to SG and Beale.

On loan with an option, or obligation to buy, I think.

St Jonhstone player swipes the ball out directly from our corner, but I like how Collum takes half an hour to decide whether he can get away with giving a goal kick...

4-4-2, or 4-2-2-2, is the only way we'd get those players (Kent, Hagi and two strikers) in the team; at least as part of a stable formation.

It looks like a 4-4-2, with Hagi playing Right-midfield, but of course, he's playing inside; Kent wide left which should suit him more.

Beauty of a cross from Kent! Tavernier at the back post, coming on to it, can't control it and it squirms high and wide.

Gets better every time I see it: the technique to volley that!

Kamberi with a peach!!!!

Kamberi on for Halliday - Aribo back in at LB!!

I'm past caring. If we turn up and play like this, we deserve all we get.

Another bugbear of mine is our crossing. Brutal stuff. We're placing it too close to the 'keeper, or delicately drifting it into a packed box. No chance. Why can't we whip it in, or cut it back to the edge of the box?!

HT, 1-0. We've been lively, buzzing away, but without any quality in the final third. St Johnstone have done nothing, other than a couple of long balls, and scoring from one of them. A wee bit of quality and it's a cricket score, IMO.

I'd go 3-4-1-2: Kamberi - Morelos Hagi Arfield - Aribo - Jack - Tavernier Halliday - Katic - Goldson McGregor Bring Kamberi on for Kent, to get two strikers running off Hagi in his best, central position. Tavernier high and wide on the right, Arfield on the left. (Kent would be better wide left, but I just prefer Arfield's desire at the moment.)

Why can't we hit the target from distance? We've created a few long-range chances, but every time the shot has been skied or scuffed wide. At least hit the target... FFS.