Bill

It's probably because Beale considers it a priority for new arrivals to bed in. I can understand that but it will only stretch so far until it becomes counter-productive if those new players fail to exceed the capabilities of existing squad members.

As long as Barisic and Tavernier are our full backs we will struggle to win anything. Remember folks they just can't defend. The manager must know this and it will be his downfall [if he doesn't do something about it].

We've had a fullback problem for a while now but looming on the horizon is a full blown fullback crisis. These two positions are our next priority and it's inconceivable we will approach next season with the two present incumbents in place. I expect the Barisic issue to be addressed in January.

It's all about opinions and mine is that Hagi is fundamentally a better talent than anyone he's currently competing with for a starting place. My only doubt was how he would come back from injury but there doesn't seem to be any problem there. I think it would be a disaster if he was sidelined.

I agree with you, except where Hagi is concerned. IMO he’s one of the few genuine talents at the club and we’re in danger of losing him if we don’t give him a route back.

If the likes of Hagi, Sterling, Roofe, Balogun and McRorie can't get game time against Morton then they would be as well packing it in.

I expected, or at least I wanted, much better from Ridvan Yilmaz. I wanted him to be the solution to the seemingly inevitable crises of confidence that routinely afflict Borna Barisic and a remedy for the Croatian's often headless-chicken brand of defending. I wanted all that but I think, if we're honest, we're now very unlikely to get it from the young Turk. However, asserting (probably rightly) that Barisic is the better of the two options does nothing to address a fundamental weakness in our defence, one that too often has cost us dearly. All it does is lock it in. So Barisic will keep the shirt. It would be a pity to think he deserved it.

Definitely

Maybe so. We need to do something if we're going to keep playing our weakest links.

I'm not sure that's actually correct. When Souttar misses his header and their initial shot ricochets back out, Tav is already in a central position in our penalty area and their wide player is already free in 20 yards of space. Because Tav then steps forward towards the player who makes the final pass, Goldson has to move to his right to try to get to the goalscorer. I've watched this scenario unfold countless times over the last couple of seasons because Tav routinely gets drawn to the ball in central defence and invariably leaves a man free outside him. He's long past coaching defensive duties and I guarantee you this will happen time and again this season.

All I know is that Sima, Dessers, Lammers and Danilo look as potent as a spayed chihuahua. I don't know how long they will need to "settle in" or "get up to speed" but so far they've shown nothing and earned no excuses. I don't want them to show promise, I just want them to do what they are paid to do. It's not a question of writing them off or being unduly impatient .... it's no more complicated than simply saying what we see.

I've watched the Servette goal many times now and, while Souttar misjudges his clearing header and it's a terrific strike from Kutesa, it looks like yet another example of a left-sided opposition player on the right side of our penalty box being left completely unattended by our right fullback. Too harsh?

Are you being sarcastic?

My supporter days started with Billy Ritchie between the sticks and we have been blessed with some wonderful goalkeepers since then. When one of the greats leaves us there's always a worry that we could struggle to replace them adequately. So I bet when Jack Butland made those saves last night, I wasn't the only one thinking "we've found our keeper again". Frankly, it was a bit of a ropey performance in defence and our forwards still can't find the barn door, let alone hit it. Thankfully our midfield turned up again. But who wouldn't give MOTM to Butland?

Here's how I saw it........ Butland 8 Tavernier 6 Goldson 6 Souttar 6 Barisic 7 Jack 7 Raskin 8 Cantwell 7 Cifuentes 7 Danilo 5 Sima 5 Lammers 5 Sterling 5 Dessers 4 Dowell 4

Sima selected ahead of Lammers and Hagi is a surprise. Unless something changes soon, I can see Beale backing himself into a corner over Sima.

If Goldson is so indispensable, how come he can’t play on the left side and leave Souttar on the right?

Whoever plays up front it's imperative they can receive and hold the ball. For that reason I suggest swapping Sima for Hagi. Otherwise I think you're spot on. Unfortunately, the manager will no doubt bring back Goldson and force Souttar on to the left side of central defence.

I just wish someone would show mercy on the rest of us and close this fukking topic.

I like a good guessing game. Was it Twatface or Lookatme? 🤣

I see someone actually voted for Tavernier. What a bastion of diversity we occupy. 😂

Servette 2 Rangers 3 FGS - Danilo

I've certainly heard worse ideas.

I voted for Leon Balogun. I thought he had an outstanding first half and hardly put a foot wrong in the second. To the best of my knowledge I've never voted for him before and honestly didn't see that coming against Livi but it's hard to ignore when you see someone have one of those games. To be honest I couldn't be more happy for him and his partnership with Souttar gives me hope for the season ahead. I don't see how Goldson gets back in if these two continue playing like this.

I keep writing him off and there's a lot about his game that I don't like but every time I do so he finds a way to raise his game and get back in the starting eleven. It suggests a degree of character that isn't immediately obvious. Anyway, good luck to him, he put in a decent shift today.