Super_Ally

Someone ask Robbie Williams to keep an eye on his progress.

Aye, might mean not as many people read it. Perhaps more concise analysis focusing on just the major talking points (from a tactical point of view) might be better. Still enjoyed it though.

Is Arsenal your other team Kenzie. Whilst commendable achievements, they don't really have anything to do with whether or not one of their failed youngsters would be good enough for us now, which is the point you were responding too. Not sure why Gav thanked the post.

Only came across this one after our most recent game and thought it was an excellent read. Even if you dont necessarily agree with all the tactical analysis it is still a thought provoking read about the pattern of the game as opposed to the behaviour of the fans or whatever other subject our journos tend to focus on.

Ha ha. Fair do's. Think I misunderstood what you were saying before.

I think both options can work in tandem. Rota for those who are happy to be included. And anyone who cant or doesn't want to commit to that (in as much as it will be a commitment) can contribute as and when they have the ideas. Not trying to detract from the rota idea as I think that would be a good way of giving some good writers a prompt. But anyone who has a one off idea can also chip in.

I think it will work well for those who need a kick up the bottom to jot their ideas down and for anyone who doesn't want to be part of a rota there's no reason why they can't just contribute as and when they have the ideas and the time on an ad hoc basis.

Watching their game with Bolton and the commentator keeps mentioning "Sue-arez". Any good never heard of him before. Any other ridiculous pronunciations from commentators recently?

If you've got something to say no need to wait for your turn either guys. Get it said!

With the current global financial crisis even multi-million pound industries such as professional football are not invulnerable to a degree of cost cutting. Over in Govan we have struggled to come to terms with the facts that the likes of the Sky TV deal south of the border ensure that we struggle to compete with much less vaunted neighbours who previously could only dream of attracting the superstars that graced the Ibrox turf. With our own revenue streams greatly constricted by the fact that we play in the relatively poorer SPL it is essential that we maximise any and every revenue opportunity open to us. In the two horse race that is the SPL, Celtic�s attempts to steal a march on us in foreign markets by signing Asian footballers irrespective of their ability to augment their side has further highlighted our inability to maximise these potentially fruitful markets. Rangers were trailblazers in attempting to cultivate potentially lucrative relationships with foreign sides such as Shenzhen Jianlibao and Northern Spirit, the latter probably a more realistic option but more of that later. The demise of these relationships begs the question of whether or not these opportunities are a potential gravy train for most teams. Celtic often talk of spreading their brand in Asia, with limited success due to former and current players signed from the continent. But in actuality it is more likely merely the fact that Nike are there kit manufacturer that sees Celtic strips available in Sports shops abroad. It is the Nike brand and nothing else that enables this. All the likes of Nakamura did was perhaps boost sales of SPL broadcasting rights in Asia, profits of which were split amongst all member clubs. Out with a few of the World�s biggest clubs; the likes of Man Utd, Real Madrid and Barcelona, there is barely any kind of market in which teams from smaller nations can enrich themselves. Poor uptake of tickets in Celtic�s tours have demonstrated this in recent travels to the US and Australia. It is, however, our English speaking cousins who perhaps offer the most likely source of spreading a global brand. I would not suggest that your average American cares much for football, sorry soccer, over their own national sports. Much less Scottish football. But, in these anglicised countries there is a reasonable ex-pat community with NARSA in the Americas and supporters clubs in Australasia which Rangers could attempt to target with reasonable success. The British citizens in these countries and those within their social circles could perhaps provide a significant fan base with which we could maximise foreign revenue streams boosting broadcasting deals abroad and sales of replica gear. Their families and friends are also more likely to be converted to the cause than football fans from foreign climes who are already heavily invested in the English Premier League supporting Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and the rest, with no connection with Scotland, the SPL and either of the Old Firm. There is often bleating about Celtic�s ability to utilise and exploit their commercial appeal in Asia, but there doesn�t appear to be any evidence in the teams� financial results to suggest they are developing any amount significant income. With the realisation that countries with large ex-pat communities are the only potential revenue stream for clubs who do not compete within the marketing machine of the EPL or its rival leagues, more awareness and perhaps more praise should be forthcoming for Rangers attempts to target these realistic markets. Following on from the signing of Da Marcus Beasley and Maurice Edu (of course still at the club), both American internationals, we have this summer added Alejandro Bedoya and stars and stripes captain Carlos Bocanegra. In addition we have taken on our first Australian player since Craig Moore, in midfielder Matt McKay. Ali Russel highlighted a specific strategy of targeting such players, which makes far more commercial, business and footballing sense than trying to break into what appears to be a closed market to SPL teams. The fruits of this transfer policy are as yet unproven, but logically the strategy looks far more sound than poaching Asian players who realistically should not be granted permits in the hopes of contesting an already saturated market.

Rangers fans flying a UJ is not the same as them having tricolours. In fact, there is more "right" in having a UJ at either ground than there is them having their Irish flags. We should not allow them to try and claim that the UJ is equivalent to them flying foreign flags. It beggars belief that we get knocked for having the flag of our country at games yet they can fly foreign flags with not a word said. And this from a fan who would rather take a Saltire than a UJ to a game.

In general players come back fitter these days. They're not allowed to get out of shape in the summer.

I might well be, just saying what I think will happen. Not necessarily what I want.

Impossible to tell given that he is injured but I would not be surprised to see him re-establish himself in the first XI when fit. Whether or not that would be the right decision is another matter all together.

Got to agree with that and think Zappa must agree when he looks at it properly.

Just watching sky's transfer updates and on the screen where they show the players linked on the right hand side they had Verhoek listed. Did he not sign for someone in Holland yet?

Ah, ok. Missed that. :cheers:

Were the Bolton rumours just BS then?

I'm not going to trawl back through years of posts on Gersnet, but it was a pretty funny introduction to Gersnet where your views changed like the weather in this country.

You're being economical with the truth.

You cant really pull the I told you so card. Your views on him on here flip-flopped when you first arrived. And Gav, whilst Cal's numbers are not hard and fast he's prob not far out. Most players mature into first teamers in their early twenties and start to tail off again in their early to mid-thirties. There are of course exceptions but it's a fair generalisation.

Would even Man U have a 33 man strong squad of experienced players, not counting youngsters? Retarded comment. We do need more, quality players though.

I wonder if there is any evidence of this religious aggravation or whether it is just another case of slapping that on because they can?

I'd like to think it's a case of saying one thing publicly and another privately. Hopefully the club have briefed the players to say nothing controversial or inflammatory in the press. We don't want to be doing opponents team talks for them like Celtic have over the years. Yet in our dressing room I hope our players are all talking about how we will beat them if we apply ourselves properly.

In one of the broadsheets down here, possibly the independent, I read acolumn today talking about people's understanding of the laws. They were referring only to the English football this weekend and not Scottish but were saying that "he got the ball" is a term that has found its way into fans and pundits lexicon but actually has nothing to do with the laws of the game. May or may not apply here, but is interesting none the less. For me, I feel that Tokely had to go through Naismith to play the ball and hence is a foul.