Frankie

Joke of an appointment to be honest. Card happy clown.

Nope, not heard his name mentioned...

Have said before that I think Smith is a percentages manager. Not sure if he's a gambling man but if he were he wouldn't be someone who goes after bets with high odds but an even-money backer. In his second spell at the club especially Smith is aware of what needs to be done. The SPL (and the qualification for the CL that goes with it) is paramount and in a new era where the Old Firm are no longer to be feared by one and all, he realises that sometimes we'll need to be less adventurous than the fans would like. Hence, the dour 4-5-1's or the 4-4-2 with Miller playing deep to link the play which keeps games tight and our midfield strong enough to avoid problems with the more physical and/or pacey teams full of younger players with points to prove. One can also see that, unlike us excitable supporters, Smith doesn't panic when we drop points. Even during games, you won't see a raft of substitutions to alter a game significantly because Smith trusts his men (and his tactics) to break down teams eventually. Of course that doesn't always work and we're then quite within our rights to question and criticise. One could argue that it is only after the fans (aided by the likes of Gough and Hateley) took umbrage that the players got their finger out! Of course, I still doubt many fans would see Walter Smith as their ideal manager. Even our recent good form and more exciting attacking play has come out of alleged enforced change as opposed to the manager altering his outlook. As such, Smith's critics will remain abundant and vocal - and quite rightly so. However, we'd all do well to remember that, despite a fair amount of financial restrictions over the last 18 months, we remain competitive and remain Scotland's best team. Perhaps the lack of money available to the manager is a good thing as his transfer record is hardly a glorious one. Perhaps having to actually manage the players available to him instead of buying his way out of trouble suits Smith's nature better than he even realises. What is for certain is that the finishing line is still 6 months away. Do we opt for a high-risk strategy of constantly changing our team or do we maintain the status quo of a settled XI complimented with one or two changes dependent on injuries? Place your bets gentlemen...

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/whether-by-accident-or-design-walter-smith-seems-to-have-hit-on-the-perfect-shape-for-rangers-but-will-he-remain-bold-at-celtic-park-and-easter-road-1.993668

Have been impressed with Weaver and Ruddy this season but Ruddy was pretty poor on Saturday. I guess if we're scouting these guys Alexander or McGregor must be likely to leave in January.

No - hence why he was playing yesterday (and possibly again tomorrow IIRC). Likely to be on the bench v Hibs though.

If he was any good he would have featured more often IMO. It is rather ironic though that now we're playing with two direct wingers, that may have been more likely to happen.

MO EDU played his first game since the title triumph at Tannadice in May this afternoon as a mixed Rangers reserve side lost 2-1 to Partick Thistle. The American midfielder played 80 minutes against a strong Jags team in the bounce fixture at Murray Park. Edu has been out since he suffered a serious knee injury in a collision with Darren Dods as Gers beat Dundee United 3-0 on May 24 to become SPL champions. And after coming through his comeback match, manager Walter Smith could consider including him in his squad for Sunday's trip to face Hibernian in Edinburgh. Kirk Broadfoot recently came back into the team after nine months out and just 45 minutes playing for the second string. In the time since, he has completed three full games against St Johnstone, United and Motherwell and suffered no ill effects. Logic would suggest Edu, who has trained alongside Broadfoot throughout his rehab, is likely to be considered fit to come back into the first-team group now. He settled into the team well against Thistle and will take plenty of confidence from getting a match under his belt again. Several top-team players appeared for Tommy Wilson's team today as Smith used the match to give those on the fringes of his side some much-needed action. Steven Whittaker, Danny Wilson, Stevie Smith, John Fleck, Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty all started. But it was Steven Lennon who got the sole Gers goal, netting after half an hour in what was a worthwhile exercise. RANGERS: Gallacher, Whittaker (Cole), Little, Wilson, Smith (Wylde), Lennon, Edu (Emslie), Ness (Hutton), Fleck, Naismith (Shinnie), Lafferty (Loy).

Now uploaded in 1997-2003 Excel format - however some things inside the spreadsheet may not work. http://www.mediafire.com/?w4muhtzjgmm

May be because it is was made in a newer version of the software... My PC converted it automatically luckily...

A good performance today and I'll expect to be in the team for the Celtic game...

The legendary Chic Sharp has released the final update of his incredible Excel file which contains stats from every match Rangers have played since 1872. An essential reference document for every bear, Gersnet recommends you download the file now! Download file here (37Mb) http://www.mediafire.com/?gm2mzd2nm0m Please note if you don't have Excel or a fast broadband connection, the museum section of Gersnet contains a condensed version of the file which you can view online. Click here for further information. http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/archived/

I wasn't being entirely serious mate... :fish: [Although there was a foul on Bougherra ]

I want to know where all the injury time went on Saturday. 5 second half substitutions and plenty stoppage time for 6 second half goals yet only 60secs of injury time! Disgraceful! Add in the terrible decision by Craig Thomson to give 'Well the corner from which they scored their goal (clear foul on Bougherra in the box as he cleared the ball), then we really need to stop being so reserved in our criticism of the officials this season. I'm sure Jim Gannon will be pointing out the effect of these decisions on our title aspirations...

Competition winners as follows: Gers110 Stewarty Maineflyer Zappa Mark Dobson (email entry) Congratulations to all of you!

Bot of both. I don't think there is a lot between Edu and Thomson when both are fully fit and on form but, as we've seen with Beasley, the incentive of the World Cup can help players find another gear. As fans that's somewhat frustrating but as a manager, Smith must be delighted with this carrot.

Thomson has been very poor since his returning from his latest knee injury and I posted a few weeks again saying I was worried about his long term future as his pace and mobility seemed to have worsened further affecting his overall game. However, since then he seems to have improved a little so I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt for a wee while longer. Today he was all over the park before he had to go off and he looked fit, mobile and sharp. Edu, like Thomson, was superb before his injury so we can only hope he comes back like Broadfoot rather than Thomson. His increased mobility, better physical threat and more incisive passing means I'd also prefer him alongside Davis. But only if Davis can maintain his form. Hopefully we'll benefit out of the increased competition.

Yip, I like Thomson and he's showed a few signs of finding a better standard lately while McCulloch has done pretty well over the piece this season. However, I think Edu can outshine them both if he can find his fitness and sharpness quickly over the next few weeks.

S_A: I've been the midfield's biggest critic this season. Quite simply until the last few games they've not turned up for reasons best known to themselves. However, on this form, we have nothing to worry about as we were almost unplayable at times today. With Edu and Mendes to come back, this can only ensure further top displays from those currently in possession of the jersey.

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=185:rangers-6-1-motherwell-player-ratings-and-mom-poll&catid=35:analysis&Itemid=67 :sd: for this bear but honourable mentions to and who were both wonderful today.... :spl:

Same here...

I'm not patronising anyone and I completely welcome opposing views. That's why we have the forum and that's why it's good fun to debate. You're far from the only one who has valid questions about the management of the club and I share many of your doubts. Your suggestion only two people answered the question you asked is wrong and the way you subsequently went on to challenge the valid points made against your rather empirical conclusion was wrong. Just my view.

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I think most Celtic fans have been aware of their central defensive problems for long enough now so I was surprised when Mowbray didn't strengthen in that area during the summer. Obviously, despite being a reasonable centre-half himself, his record in that department is strangely poor. However, I would expect at least 2 new centre-halves at Celtic Park between now and the start of next season so it will be interesting if they're better than the likes of Loovens, McManus and Caldwell who've all been distinctly average. I blame the Polish madman behind them as well...

You asked one question in the thread title. It was answered fairly by several posters of which most of their valid points you ignored/deliberately misinterpreted in preference for more questions. You did similar again there. I politely suggest you have a rethink as to your debating style as it is rather off-putting and rather tedious in nature.