Super_Ally

True to your word. :box: I'll make my riposte tomorrow.

When I turned on ESPN this Saturday, the first Rangers game broadcast by the American Network that puts Sky�s coverage to shame, I was shocked and pleased in equal measure by the starting line up Smith had chosen to tackle Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Since Smith and his management team have returned to the club I have at times been frustrated by his unwillingness to utilise his full squad. It can be argued that at the end of the 2007/8 season as we battled on four fronts to win silverware that had Smith been willing to utilise the full benefit of his large squad we may not have come up just short in our assault on the title. I may be being a little unfair Walter and his deputies as hitherto before unseen backlog of fixtures is what ultimately cost us the league crown. However, it still stands that at times he has been reticent to rotate his squad and gain the benefits of fringe players who are fresh, fully fit and eager to contribute. So as posters in the main forum will have noted, prior to kick off, I was pleased to note the changes made from what was an excellent point earned in Germany. Kris Boyd, who prior to this weekend�s game had a scoring record of more than a goal a game against his former employers, returned to the starting line up as a toiling Kenny Miller made way. Davie Weir returned to the first XI and with Bougherra suspended it was vital our captain was fit with few other options for the centre-back position. I had assumed the veteran defenders experience would coach McCulloch through another game in his new defensive role. In came Fleck and Novo as Thomson and Rothen dropped to the bench. There could be little complaints about the formation and line up the manager had selected for this latest fixture. A willingness to freshen up the first team and attacking intent in abundance. We had pace and trickery in wide areas from Fleck, Novo and Naismith. Mendes was partnered in the centre by the diminutive Ulsterman Steve Davis, moved in from the right flank where he is able to have more influence on proceedings. With Scotland�s deadliest marksman feeding off this supply on-loan Celtic keeper Mark Brown must have been expecting a far more difficult afternoon than he endured. However, as the draw in Stuttgart highlighted, defying popular opinion of so called experts and bookmakers, football is played out on the field not on paper. Despite the supposed gulf in class, despite the abundance of attacking quality available to Rangers, we rarely troubled the Kilmarnock goal. Yesterday was not a game for the neutrals. Had I not such a deep emotional attachment to my football team, I might not have been watching until fulltime. It was the kind of contest where you would not open your curtains had it been played out in your back garden. Time and again I have argued from the position of football fanatic, not customer. I am not terribly interested in the so-called product so long as positive results are being obtained. Where that argument falls short and where those who wish to be entertained as well victorious are hard to argue against is after a fixture like Saturday�s. A poor performance married with a poor result that saw Celtic usurp our position atop the league table. Fortunately with fixtures against Aberdeen and Celtic next up on league duty we have ample opportunity to make amends and return to our rightful position at the summit. Before that of course we have a Co-op cup fixture with Queen of the South and our first Home Champions League game against La Liga cracks Sevilla. A worrying trend in an inability to motivate ourselves from the first whistle has continued into the new season. Away in Germany we can be forgiven for having to survive a first half onslaught. Stuttgart, as the home team, were under pressure to take maximum points as results achieved at home so often determine the outcome of the Champions League group stage. The German outfit are also blessed with greater financial clout and therefore individual star quality. At half time Smith was able to galvanise his team and they produced a second half performance worthy of the Rangers to take an excellent point on the road. There are no excuses for not being able to take the game to a vastly inferior Kilmarnock team. Much like we have managed to do on our European travels under Smith and McCoist, Killie managed to produce a team performance to outfox a team with greater resources and quality. Like we have shown in our march to Manchester, a good team ethic can defeat superior opposition. We, therefore, no better than anyone that approaching any fixture with the right mental attitude is vital if we are to avoid dropping silly points as we mount our title challenge. I put last week�s drab draw with Motherwell down as a one off. It is rare any team can complete a perfect season. Rangers have managed it just once in our history. But if we have serious ambitions of retaining our league title and extending our world record to 53 titles we cannot afford to put together a string of dropped points. I had hoped the 0-0 draw at Fir Park would serve as sufficient motivation to approach our league fixtures with the correct mindset. It was disappointing therefore that we would again drop points in the very next fixture. Last weekend we were fortunate that our errors were not punished by Celtic as they could not take advantage of our slip up. We were not likely to get away with it two weeks running. Perhaps this weekend�s disappointment was a result of a Champions League hangover. If that is the case it is a worrying scenario for the season ahead with a minimum of 5 more Champions League fixtures to be negotiated. We are all aware of the importance of competing at Europe�s top table. This summer�s transfer window was a bit of non-event as far as Rangers were concerned. Imagine the disaster that may have unfolded had we not guaranteed Champions League participation. Star players such as Bougherra and Davis may no longer be plying their trade at Ibrox. We therefore understand the importance of ensuring we retain our league title and are entered into the draw in Monaco next summer. It is essential then that Walter Smith gets this first half malaise drilled out of our players. Queen of the South are up next at Palmerston this midweek and I expect them to be on the end of a Rangers backlash. There are many players with a lot to prove ahead of vital fixtures with Aberdeen and Sevilla. Kris Boyd, Pedro Mendes and Kenny Miller have flattered to deceive so far this season. They are all seasoned and experience pro�s and their performances should be helping guys like John Fleck and a now injury free Steven Naismith to settle into the team. I am unsure as to whether we should stick with Miller and Boyd and hope that what should be a formality of a fixture will allow them to play their way into form, or drop them to the bench and hope that that serves as the motivation to find their form from the first whistle.

Went away to work earlier. Can get this done after dinner?

Agreed, that's a nonsense of a comment. Why should we be having to score twice to win a game 1-0. Doesn't cut it with me. We should be subjected to the same rules as everyone else. Otherwise what's the point in sporting competition.

The "t" button broke on your laptop? :box: We know Mendes is capable of the sublime but a lot more consistency is required.

I'd love to believe we approached the CL with that positive mentality.

That would be some form of justice if he was out for the OF, though is he any better/worse than the other two numpties.

Just noticed the other mhob have St Mirren this weekend. Guaranteed 3 points for them. So a win in the Old Firm will be necessary to take top spot.

What i've been saying all along. Somehow the ref managed to lose control of an incredibly easy game devoid of big incidents, bad tackles and frayed tempers. There really should be an inquest into how the referee managed to make such a balls of a good-tempered match. Instead of Hugh Dallas coming out and doing his defend the indefensible bit.

I'm always happy to do one, unless there are other guys on the waiting list?

Agreed. Beasley should've been punted first if that was an option.

Not read his guff, but that was my thoughts having seen the opening line or two. Fraser makes a good point to.

I think the ref's could do more not to book players for nothing challenges. Neither Mendes nor the Killie boy deserved to walk at the weekend. Hugh Dallas shut your pie hole as you have absolutely no credibility left.

Why not ask him in the first place?

I'm sorry that's a load of crap from Dallas. That was a game with little niggle or aggression before the referee started making a noel hunt of it. Later on it did look at times if it might descend into anarchy, but when he was busy flashing yellow and red cards early on there was hardly a bad or dirty tackle in the game. The referee lost the plot.

I keep forgetting that one is banned. Not sure what the connotations of the word are though? Mind you I didn't see the problem with calling them F.enian bastards till they changed the word's meaning. :devil:

What we think and what Walter thinks are two very different things.

I dont mean he will make sweeping changes and play a reserve side. But Mendes could well be "rested". Wilson should, but most likely wont come in. I feel there is little value in playing Miller against a "diddy" side and so would keep him fresh as he will be ploughing a lone furrow in Europe and against the ****s. That's 3 first team players potentially out of the starting XI for the wee cup.

We need to try something different imo anyway. Freshen things up. It hasn't really worked the last few domestic games. I think we will see a change with Smith resting what he sees as key men in a game our reserves should really be winning.

Difficult to argue with that. How would your midfield line up though when Mendes is unavailable. For Smith, at least, he will start any game for which he is available.

A young player would unlikely get picked though. Might be a case of Big Jig in CM! I'd prefer to have all options availbale for the tougher games. Edit: Oh and answer the bloody question! :box:

With Weir not fit to play midweek there was obviously a bit of pre-match concern that with Boogie suspended we might not be able to field any recognised centrebacks. Now with that susepension nearly costing us more than perhaps it did, will Mendes only be missing the QOS game or will it be Aberdeen? He may not be performing great but i'd rather have him available for a home game with the Sheep than not.

I only meant do us a favour as in to return to the top in the short term. I think there is a psychological benefit to leading the table than chasing the top team. Particularly if you play first each weekend. I do agree that the attitude seems to be wrong atm. Hopefully a few dropped points will now have sorted that out.

Aberdeen at Ibrox should be a banker 3 points. They're a poorer team under McGhee than the two Jimmies though they will perhaps be more motivated than normal with a bitter mhank at the helm. Assuming we do the business then the first OF will put down a big marker for the season ahead. Will we get the result that takes us back top? Will we fall 5 points off the pace early in the season, giving the mhanks a psychological boost early in the season. Will we draw an maintain the status quo relying on someone else to do us a favour? We really need Smith to be working his Old Firm magic on that one.

Ha ha. I notice Blackpool are seventh after a good run. but they wont finish there and I think Charlie could play at a bigger/better club and even in a better league. His lack of pace/mobility may be an issue in the EPL though.