Bill

I'm intrigued to see how Gerrard reacts to the last three performances and whether he adopts a conservative or radical approach. I think it will be very revealing about the character of our manager. We were in a similar "crisis" when Covid struck and I've heard it argued that Covid saved Gerrard from difficult decisions at that time. Then came a wonderful season 2020-21. Now we've clearly got some issues to address again and we look to the man in charge to come up with solutions.

It’s facile to keep spouting about 4-3-3. We could have played any formation last night but if players can’t control the ball, pass accurately or put in a decent cross then the formation is the least of our worries. We lost to Malmö because too many in the team let themselves and the club down. Fullbacks were dreadful, central defenders were a bombscare, etc etc. It’s about players, not formations.

I ask myself how Walter Smith would handle a start to the season like this?

The problem with disappointments like this is there’s no escape from it. You’re trapped by your allegiance. All you can do is suffer and hope there’s some relief around the corner. I’m just hoping Gerrard sees the problem because if he doesn’t then things are only going to get worse.

Tbh we’ve gone backwards so much we’re nothing like a CL team now. Following a football team can be a very frustrating occupation.

Bottle crashing throughout this Rangers team. Confidence shattered, fear everywhere. It’s going to take weeks to settle this lot down

I think we can see now why Gerrard has been looking preoccupied in his recent pressers.

I never dreamed it would be our defending that would let us down

I’d put Helander on now and frankly it wouldn’t be Balogun coming off

I have to agree, it's a shocker.

Very relieved to see more mobility in midfield but disconcerted to see Helander dropped. I'm not entirely comfortable that it appears our most creative midfielder, Davis, will also be our holding midfielder. A big night for the club but I've followed last season's formula and forecast a draw so we should win comfortably.

I find it childish to criticise Charles Green for suing for wrongful arrest and prosecution, which have nothing to do with anything he did in his official capacity at Rangers.

No MOTM poll for Dundee Utd game?

More likely

A strong hint of defiance from the manager. Exactly what I want to hear.

It took Ryan Jack and Connor Goldson a year to settle. Maybe expecting Lundstram to do so in a month is unrealistic.

With the squad so unsettled and too many key players clearly distracted, it's stretching the imagination to see us reaching the CL group stages. If we can't show more guile and endeavour than in the last 2 games then Tuesday will likely be a further disappointment. We've seen this slow-start movie many times in the past.

Rangers 1 Malmo 1 FGS - Tavernier

It's pointless to say the current squad doesn't have the necessary abilities. They've clearly shown they do. What appears to be an issue at the moment is taking place above the shoulders of about half a dozen players. Transfer time is often destabilising and none of us know what is going on behind the scenes. Roll on the end of this transfer window.

But not necessarily in equal proportions.

In that case it’s long overdue

I think what I hate most about losing is the unseemly loss of composure of some supporters. It's football, sometimes we lose and knowing how to lose with grace is part of sport. None of the players or staff wanted to lose today and they'll do everything they can to win the next one but there's no point professing undying loyalty if you're going to condemn the team after one bad week.

Given his performances at Oxford last season, Barker should be an easy sell.

I've read your post twice and still haven't a clue what point you're making. To be honest, I've slightly less than zero interest in Germany, other than it's repeated inability to stay out of other European countries, so that might be holding me back. I don't suppose you have a short version.

I think his preoccupation will be with the possible/probable loss of several first team players and the need to bring in replacements- while trying to ensure the season still gets going positively. Not an easy task.