Super_Ally

First i've seen a video of it. http://www.myvideo.de/watch/7768773/Stokes_v_Hamill Thanks to German Bear on FF. Just a yellow for that then guys. Don't expect us to get such a lenient decision.

I assume you mean Riordan though that could have referred to most of the players on that pitch. I was actually busy at work this weekend so couldn't just watch SSN. Any big talking points in their game or just routine, deserved victory.

Had to laugh at that. I need to stop picking on him though. Just because he can't spot a player! (joking )

I wouldn't play Lafferty tomorrow. Aside from the fact that I don't think he's part of our strongest XI, he will be on a hiding to nothing. If he plays it will likely be on the left, where he might struggle to make an impact and Aberdeen contest these games like the world's fiercest derby. Their fans and their players will ensure a hostile atmosphere and Lafferty has got involved in daft incidents before. Lafferty is currently coming off the back of a hat trick and the confidence he must have gained and good will earned from the support could be undone if he loses his cool tomorrow. Hold him back for a "safer" game.

Remember Valencia were the Spanish Aberdeen. That was said either the same season or the season before they were Champions League semi-finalists. Being ignorant of your opponents does not automatically make them a bad team. They had to finish ahead of the likes of Fenerbahce and Galatasary to win that league. No mugs, even in spite of the Valencia score.

Because chris couldn't wait for the official thread to be posted (not a criticism, I don't blame him) to talk about the game. I'll close this thread now though, so chat can continue in the official thread. Sorry chris.

It's good to laugh at Strachan, McDonald etc. But I'd wish Thomson and Boyd success and also think it doesn't reflect well that a team full of Old Firm players is struggling. The English will use it as a stick to beat our football with.

I'm sure Arsenal fans wouldn't agree that a game with WBA is a bye!

What ya whinging about? You're in the football forum.

Pittodrie record since Smith returned: Grim reading. 1 clean sheet. Not scored in 4 out of 6. It better change this weekend.

Currently winning 1-0 against Bucaspor at home. No idea if that's a difficult game for them or not but they'll want a win going into the game with us. Guess that gives them a long rest before our match?

At the football I believe in supporting the team on the field, no matter what. In the pub and on a messageboard I believe support for players and indeed criticism should reflect their contribution as a player and their other actions that reflect upon the club. He states it's funny that most Boyd fans seem to give Lafferty a hard time. From my perspective I find it odd that people can hold Lafferty in greater esteem and give him greater support than players who have contributed more. I would suggest that my view of events more closely represents the facts.

Hey, I'm genuinely confused. Danny isn't in alone with this.

Fair do's. However, since your last post which I had not read before making mine I would further add that if anyone was a fan of neither Lafferty nor Boyd I could at least follow their logic. But to be a massive fan of Kyle yet not Kris is difficult for me to compute. In simple terms say we classed Boyd's contribution to Rangers as a 7/10 then so far in his Rangers career Lafferty would be what, maybe a 3? I just genuinely cannot fathom why Lafferty is deserving of such support when better Rangers are not. Where are all the fans who stream on to defend Lafferty's honour when McCulloch, Broadfoot or Whittaker get it in the neck. For my money, again, they have all contributed more. There are, once again imo, few senior members of the squad who have not done more, who have not been better value for money, or do not have a poorer good contribution:bad contribution ratio in their Rangers career than LAfferty. That's not hatred of him. It's just how I see it. He's fcuked up. A lot. He's also scored a few important goals, (which though as Craig pointed out we would most likely have won those leagues anyway and others made bigger league winning contributions). So far there is more in the bad column than the good for Kyle. That's just how it is. But it has been a while since his last off field indiscretion and perhaps his hat trick can be a signal of intent for the coming months on the pitch. I don't hate him, but right now I am disappointed in how he has represented himself and the club since he has been here. The manager rates him, though, so he'll get plenty of chances to cancel out the negatives.

As the title says guys.

Edit: Lol, posted this as you wer eposting your second Boyd post (in defence of Lafferty ). Its funny though, because I look at many posters like yourself and think if they can back Lafferty so strongly, a man who has done very little for Rangers, why do they not show the same support for Boyd? My approach to Boyd could be considered to be very similar to your's for Lafferty. I would however argue that Boyd has done more to be deserving of such support than Lafferty. It's not that I wont hear a word against Boyd. It's that I dont understand how you can be a massive Lafferty fan and yet not particularly fussed about a player who has contributed far more than he. The facts do not seem to fit the conclusion you have drawn imo (with regards to being a huge Lafferty fan) and not much of a Boyd fan. I would also actually argue, as a generalisation (there are of course fans who feel and act towards Lafferty how you feel I do), that Lafferty's support is greater and abuse less for a man who has contributed what he has when measured against many of his recent colleagues.

Don't talk mince and you wont be groaned at. Just because I don't expect Lafferty to prove me wrong, does not mean I would not prefer he did. What's good for him is good for Rangers at the end of the day.

Before and after this midweek�s 7-2 destruction of Dunfermline I have been discussing the impact of the domestic cup competitions on our biggest target, league trophies and European football. As a Ranger; fan, player or manager, we demand success in every competition. In every match. We have reasserted domestic superiority, winning 6 of the 9 trophies Smith and his management team have been able to compete for and this season we are chasing three-in-a-row. Our record in the domestic cups has been almost flawless since Walter Smith and Ally McCoist returned home and restored Rangers to our rightful position in Scottish football. Having rejoined a club already knocked out of both domestic cups and trailing in the league, it was not until his first full season (2007/8) back in charge that Smith could compete for silverware. And what a season it was, a European final, two domestic cups and narrowly missing out on the SPL title thanks to a lack of integrity of the league�s governing body and other member clubs. In the following season (2008/9) Nacho Novo secured Scottish Cup number 33 to sit proudly in the trophy room with the SPL title. We were unfortunate to lose out on a domestic treble with an extra time defeat in the league cup final. Earlier this year in March we regained the League Cup trophy continuing our dominance of that competition, once again completing a league and cup double last season. Our defence of the Scottish Cup was unsuccessful, losing out to Dundee United after a quarter final replay; leading on to the inspiration for this piece. Under the guidance of Smith, or McCoist (it is not entirely clear who has been in charge throughout these competitions), we have 2 Scottish Cups, 2 League Cups lost one league cup final and one Scottish Cup quarter final replay. But that is only half the story. In that phenomenal 07/08 season we contested a mammoth 68 competitive games, including a 5th round Scottish Cup replay against Hibs, a Quarter Final replay against Partick and a Semi Final eventually won on penalties after extra-time against St. Johnstone. The League Cup was also only won against Dundee United following penalties. In what could have been an unrivalled season we quite rightly cast accusations against the SPL and its member clubs for the way in which were hamstrung in our attempt to win a European trophy and regain some pride and recognition for our national football. We must, though, also accept that taking our eye off the ball in the Cups and often against lower league opposition did not help our own cause. It has been a worrying trend in Walter�s second tenure. The following season, 2008/9, we required extra time and a fantastic Pedro Mendes� strike to finally see off Partick Thistle at Firhill. Once more stuttering against lower league opposition, if not quite as apathetic as the season past. A worrying lack of concentration and adherence to the task at hand continued last season. Hamilton Accies took us to a replay at Ibrox in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. Again in the 5th round we edged out St Mirren in a replay with a solitary Boyd strike in the 86th minute. Perhaps it is an inability to take the Cup seriously that finally caught with the players as Dundee united knocked us out at the quarter final stage, despite having led 3-1 in the original tie. Costing us a shot at a treble for the second time in consecutive seasons. League Cup success was achieved more straightforwardly and of course with just 9 men as a fine Kenny Miller strike returned the trophy home to Ibrox. So, in spite of our current dominance of the domestic scene, I was sweating over whether or not to include Rangers in a midweek coupon. Could we be trusted to dispose of lower league opposition in the regulation time limit? Would we need a replay? Penalties? Would we succumb to shock defeat? Recent seasons have taught me not to dismiss lower league opposition, not least the Pars (who defeated Rangers in Durrant�s only game in charge and are a match for much of the SPL). Nine goals later and you make think "what are you worried about"? Was Tuesday�s game a sign that we are no longer treating this competition lightly? Our team selection might suggest otherwise. Smith has been loath to throw many youngsters into these so called lesser competitions or to juggle his selections too much. Often the meat of the SPL and Champions League team has contested the cup competitions too. As has been the case these past few seasons, we have been told to expect more squad rotation and more reliance on youths. It has, however, not always been forthcoming. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise to see the likes of Kyle Hutton shine in midfield, many fans man of the match. Andy Little played from the start at right back and young Greg Wylde got a late run out. Fringe men such as Kyle Lafferty, probably not part of our strongest first XI, staked a huge claim with a hat trick. So what was the difference this midweek? A more professional approach from players and management alike? Walter Smith taking over control of first team affairs once more and no longer delegating to McCoist? A more sensible approach to squad rotation? Plain old lady luck? Perhaps only a sustained run in both the League and Scottish Cup will tell us more; however I will be keen to see us continue to dismiss lower league opposition without the embarrassment of routine replays, extra time and penalties. As stated at the outset, we have a more then enviable record in the past 3 seasons. Indeed it is success akin to our NIAR dominance of Scottish football. So once again, you may be asking why the fuss? However, as alluded to earlier, all these additional games, the energy sapping extra-time midweek in between testing SPL fixtures, can prove detrimental to our league title challenge and quest to ensure CL football in successive seasons. League trophies are critical to our future. To ensure we continue to reign as top dogs in Scotland, to maintain our reputation and to grant us entry into the Champions League providing us with the prestige of competing against Europe�s elite and the financial bounty it provides. If we want to avoid the fixture pile up of 07/08, contributed to in part by our inability to see of inferior, lower league opposition at the first attempt then we must continue with the attitude and team selection that served us so well against Dunfermline. We must make the fullest use of our squad, admittedly made difficult by the lack of experienced numbers and blood the impressive youngsters we have desperate to make the breakthrough at Ibrox.

Good argument and your reasoning makes sense. Hoping your right about the result.

If the big issue in delivering a succesful trust worth supporting is achieving unity it appears there are two ways to get this. 1) Everyone with reservations about the current RST and some of it's key players, most notably MD, shut up deal with the fact they are spearheading the Trust and the aim of fan representation at board level or 2) MD and or others do the honourable thing and step down/aside or at least take some sort of backseat so that less divisive and questionable people can take the lead and unite the support under the RST banner. Is it that simple or am I missing something? Number 1 will not happen anytime soon. Once trust is lost, it is difficult to regain it and would take a long time and a lot of humility. So as I see it the biggest obstacle for the trust and it's aim of achieving fan unity, in so doing strengthening itself and its aims immeasurably, is the egos of some of the current board. Surely as members of the trust they claim it is all about Rangers and not about themself? Why not step aside. Or am I missing something?

Apparently telling it like it is constitutes never being able to take to him. More good football and less nonsense off the field and he will get his due backing. A hat trick is a good start. Better performances more consistently allied to this scoring touch will see him ram those words down the doubters throats.

At least he wont be crippling a bear this week then. Dirty bassa!

The way Hibs are playing I can't see them doing anything. Much liek with Lafferty though, it would be nice to be surprised. :fish:

No hard feelings towards him myself, worked out better for us in the end. Just find his hilariously bad decision making very amusing.

Funny how our response to his non-signing has changed from then to now. Quite happy we never signed him now. Good luck to him playing Championship football while we play Champions League. http://www.tribalfootball.com/eagles...s-move-1134951