calscot

Rangers didn't go out score? What game did you watch? Rangers had about 8 very high quality chances and many other lesser ones. If that's not going out to score then what is? Pana had about 2 with a load of row zz shots from 35 yards. In contrast, Aberdeen had about 4 or 5 but put two of them away, while Munich had quite a few. Clean sheets are invaluable in Europe and we are now in a far better position than Aberdeen despite them scoring two goals. The trick in Europe is to score one or two at home while not conceding any. Rangers were close to doing that, the clean sheet was achieved with aplomb and the lack of goals was not down to lack of effort but possibly a lack of luck and striking that was just off the mark. The biggest criticism you could possibly have for Walter's line up is that despite the team defending stalwartly, dominating the game in midfield and creating loads of chances in attack, he didn't pick a top class finisher...

In what way exactly? There's some weird views going on here. The only thing better about Aberdeen's performance is that they put two chances away (and the second was down to dodgy keeping which Rangers didn't have the luxury of). Rangers had far more possession, far more territory and far more chances than Aberdeen - we pretty much dominated the game, and yet the Gers get pelters for being negative and the Dons get plaudits for being attacking while being on the rack for most of the game? Aberdeen played very well and gave Munich a bloody nose; however, they were definitely a far less attacking force than Rangers. I think it might be to do with expectations, Aberdeen were expected to get a drubbing and so when they almost win the game against the run of play, they must be an adventurous team. Whereas when Rangers draw 0-0 with less famous team who had very few chances, we must have been defensive. I think I must be watching different games to everyone else...

Are you mad? I would have no qualms in having our fans perpetually singing, "1-0 to the Scottish lads..." If we were the most boring team on the planet and winning almost every game, I'd be one happy Scotsman. Who do you think we are - Brazil?

Sounds to me that you've spent too much time in England...

You mean the ones he actually kicks? - he had at least 3 fresh air shots and has had many of them in the past. Novo rarely scores a straight goal they usually a bit comical. They either go in off a defender or off a strange part of his body - I'm sure one of his goals in Europe this season came off his nuts! When he hits a proper, clean shot they either: a) Trundle to the keeper b) Miss over the bar c) Get blocked d) Are straight at the keeper He's a very poor finisher, which is a shame as he's great at getting into and creating goal scoring postitions... If he could finish like Boyd or McCoist, he could be considered a top class striker. Boyd could do with copying the work ethic and all round play of Novo and maybe he'll turn into a top class striker. What we need is a cross between Boyd and Novo - and I don't mean a lazy, unfit player who couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo...

The trouble with Boyd is that he and everyone else know why he's not playing - and yet he hasn't done that much to rectify the deficiencies in his game, and give Walter what he wants. He knows what to do, it's up to him to do it.

I seem to remember a barrel-load of attacks and chances... In fact we had about three times the chances than in the 3-0 win over Lyon.

Papac is a squad player for me, as is Broadfoot. I can't see us change the Weir and Cuellar partnership for the rest of the season - unless forced to...

He may be defensive but unless it all goes pear-shaped, I'm not going to complain. The Eck and Paul eras have taken their toll, and now I just want consistently good results to be going on with. Walter is achieving that, and it's good enough for me, for now. The priorities were to qualify for the CL and win the league; job done for the first, and second is well on track. Bonuses were to be in Europe after Christmas and winning a cup - again we've done the first and for the second, we're in a final of one cup and still in the other. So even on track there. I don't think playing positive, open, total football really comes on the radar this season. If we were the usual 17pts behind and out of the cups then I'd be at the front of the queue to criticise WS as I was for AM and PLG.

Maybe Boyd's shooting practice involves a high powered rifle, a telescopic sight and an effigy of Walter Smith...

Yeah, can't wait for Smith to get back in the team. I think it will improve our left flank immensely.

One positive to draw from this thread is that at least the ideal teams don't have a few "a.n.other's" like they used to under Le Guen and Eck. We must have an ok squad now...?

No idea how fans think booing our own player will help us in an important Euro match... Madness.

The biggest criticism I can think of is that if we hadn't decided to sell Hutton and Cousin, we'd have been that bit stronger - they should have been replaced at least.

There is always the question - did Rangers make Pana look average? They are top of the Greek league (which a lot of the time can be considered stronger than the SPL) and on good form in Greece. We were at home I suppose, but we were by far the better team. Can't see how that is "woeful" without being incredibly negative or having overblown expectations. Rangers don't have a good record against Greek sides and so I think that display with a makeshift team, is imminently passable. Just a shame we didn't get a valuable goal.

That would do for me, although if Cousin goes, replace him with Darcheville.

I thought Cousin was cheered when he came on the pitch... As for the BB, what kind of path of self destruction do some of our fans get off on? Is it back to the pathetic, "we're well hard, nobody tells us what to do" mentality?

I thought the lads played reasonably well last night: better in the first half than a team at the top of the Greek league, and totally dominated the second half with some slick play. The defence never looked like loosing a goal bar one late scare and the attack created about 7 or 8 very good chances; on another night, one or two would have gone in. I bemoaned Novo's lack of finishing finesse before the game and so it proved to be. The guy usually needs a deflection to score, as although he hits the target a lot, it's normally straight at the keeper. His 3 fresh air kicks were a bit woeful though, and they are not his first. I think our best chance was actually McCulloch's header which would have burst the net had his aim been a bit better. One thing I was very pleased with was the quality of the crossing from the right which was excellent by Broadfoot and Novo, however Pana's defence and goalkeeper were on great form. In the end, I think this was more of an unlucky night than a hapless one.

Novo with a wicked deflection off a defender...

Looking at the team, 0-0 wouldn't surprise me... But ever the optimist, I'll go for 1-0 to Rangers.

Have to agree.

Disappointed Davis didn't get a game on Saturday first. Glad to see Novo get a game. Not impressed with McCulloch up front. Would prefer Naismith to Adam. Hard to see where any goals are going to come from. In fact it looks quite a weak side compared to a couple of months ago. Well, maybe they can pull off a result...

It's definitely not the only decent one, just the preferred one for some fans, and the preference gets greater when we're threatened with McCulloch in that position...

Cousin has the ability to play well but he's not the messiah. I prefer Darche, although by all accounts JC has not been on form lately anyway. Boyd is a great finisher but the rest of his play has been considered suspect by many, especially in the type of tactical games we get in Europe. He has that reputation for a reason and it seems for once WS agrees with many of the fans. Cousin, isn't great he's just potentially better than anyone else available for the role that is sure to be up for grabs.

Barry said, "ok, here is an argument for why we should be calling his mental state into question. tell me if you think its fair. everyone is aware of what we might call "the friendly mentality", a portion of which's lack of edge is the fear of being pointlessly injured. i dont think it needs too much backing up to say that a) Cousin has a very serious interest in not getting injured, and b) that this mentality can have tangible effects on a player's performance, therefore c) Cousin's performance may be affected." That's a good point that I hadn't thought of...