Super_Ally 0 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I wrote this last weekend and posted in the writer's forum, but with Frankie busy the rest were too lazy to do anything with it. Perhaps the timing of this is not so great now, but I wrote it so it's getting posted. As Rangers ended our pre-season preparation with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Premiership make-weights Portsmouth what lessons have we learnt and what can we expect from the season ahead? A July tour of Germany, hampered by the cancellation of the twice re-arranged Lotte friendly, was followed up with the lucrative Emirates tournament, a home friendly with the wealthy and big-spending Man City and culminated with another Premiership encounter on Saturday. 4 games in 8 days for the centre-back partnership of David Weir and Madjid Bougherra has thrown further scrutiny on the lack of cover within the Rangers squad. Weir is a model professional, looking after his body in heeding the advice of Sports Science and nutrition professionals to allow him to continue playing as he approaches his 40th birthday. Last year he featured in all but 2 league games as the most selected player in the match day XI, having played 61 times in the previous season. Completing the rigors of an SPL season, even with his advancing years should not prove a problem. However, with Madjid heading to the African Nations in January and the potential for either player to pick up injury or suspension during the season it would be a major gamble not to bring in at least one more experienced defender to provide competition or at least fill in when required. As has been customary for Smith, we again relocated to Germany to put the squad through a gruelling pre-season tune up. First up was an encouraging 2-0 victory over Bundesliga side Nurnberg, followed by a 3-0 victory over Wiedenbruck. Despite not being able to watch the matches, reports suggested that whilst the results were welcome the performances required improvement before the competitive action kicked off. However, the Germans were well into their pre-season preparations and may have accounted for the lacklustre performances. As August began we returned from Germany but were soon heading South to take part in the annual Emirates tournament, quickly establishing itself as a prestigious pre-season competition. First up were Paul Le Guenâ��s old charges, the French man having taken over the reins of the Cameroonian national side. A Madjid Bougherra header thundered into the roof of the PSG net to seal the points, with ex-Chelsea general Makelele unable to prevent the goal stationed on the post. More encouraging than the result however was the first glimpse of the 4-3-3 formation Smith has favoured this pre-season. When we employed the 4-3-3 under Walter on our way to the UEFA Cup final, supporters of the formation argued it was a fluid system and not a rigid formation in which we could morph to a 4-3-3 when in possession. In truth we rarely ventured out of the protective 4-5-1 to leave ourselves exposed at the back. Beginning with the PSG game this summer, however, this new 4-3-3 formation looks to have a real flair and creativity about it. The likes of Kenny Miller and Steven Naismith in particular have flourished in the attacking roles. Amongst other Pedro Mendes noted his delight at the new tactics and declared he was looking forward to linking up with Kevin Thomson in the new look midfield. The excitement and momentum that was building around the squad was halted somewhat with the stirring of the printed press. During the tournament weekend it was revealed John Fleck was not left behind with the reserves to get greater game time but rather due to a spat with assistant manager Ally McCoist whilst away in Germany. The young-Ger appears to have learnt his lesson and in view of his young years and the pressureâ��s surrounding elite football it is to be expected that tempers will occasionally flair. On the Sunday we faced Arsenal with both teams looking to emerge victors and claim the tournament trophy. Unfortunately it was not to be and a Gunnerâ��s team inspired by Wilshere and Arshavin stormed to a 3-0 victory. However, an objective view of the match would reveal that we were not without our own chances and on another day would have had two or 3 goals ourselves. Steven Naismith was particularly profligate when bearing down on the Arsenal goal. Wednesday night allowed fans to return to Ibrox for the first time since the players brought the SPL trophy back from Tannadice at the end of last season. Judging by the reports of fans who were fortunate enough to attend the Man City clash or the expatriated bears who watched online the passing football we have been craving since Smith returned pride and victories to the Rangers team was again on display. A late Davie Weir header secured another encouraging victory. It was disappointing to end what has been a confidence-inducing pre-season with a damp-squib of a defeat to Portsmouth. We should not be reading too much into that result in light of victories over the cash-laden Man City and Bundesliga and Ligue 1 opposition. A notable absentee from the starting XI and the team-sheet has been the prolific hitman Kris Boyd. Used sparingly as a sub when Smith had used his considerable talents, with the current financial situation at the club, transfer speculation is again rife. We have few legitimate assets with which to raise transfer funds and of the few who could command a reasonable fee I would not like to see (m)any of them leave. McGregor is required as back up to battle with Alexander for the gloves. If we were to sell McGregor, whenever Alexander was ineligible for selection we would have to rely on young Grant Adam. None of the fans would be happy if Davis, Mendes or Bougherra were to depart and you would have to question whether funds would be released to adequately replace them. The divide over Boydâ��s worth to the club, seemingly the management team are less than convinced, continues to rage and there are many who would not be unhappy to accept a �£3million + bid from down south. Again though could we rely on the custodian to release all of the cash to allow Smith to strengthen the team? Even if Smith was given the full transfer fee received, could we bring in a striker to replace the enigmatic Scot and the required centre-back with that money? I, at least, am not confident of such an outcome. We are all fully aware of the perilous financial situation. However, with the Champions League draw pairing Celtic with Arsenal there is a fair chance we will be better off to the tune of approximately �£2.5 million from the Champions League tv money. In addition to fees received from Ferguson, Adam and Gow (approx �£2million) and a healthy amount coming off the wage bill, funds must be released for a centre back to press Weir and Boogie for a starting slot. Whilst caution must be exercised in using pre-season results and performances to measure potential success for the season ahead (remember last year Liverpool romped to a 4-0 victory at Ibrox prior to Rangers securing the double) it can still prove a useful indicator. If we can strengthen in this one key position, with Thomson and Naismith gaining match sharpness during pre-season to compliment the star performers from last yearâ��s Double Winners and the more attractive 4-3-3 with exciting, slick passing tactics to look forward too, season 2009/10 should be one for the Ibrox-faithful to relish. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve 0 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 We are skint! Regardless of the Celtic v Arsenal result we won`t be buying anyone! Worrying times for the Club right now.We have shipped out 9 players and no one has came in. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,195 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 We are skint!Regardless of the Celtic v Arsenal result we won`t be buying anyone! Worrying times for the Club right now.We have shipped out 9 players and no one has came in. Yes we are skint. Disagree. If Celtic are put out I suspect we WILL buy. I know that we have shipped out a bunch of players but I still dont see it as weakening the team. Last season we were carrying too MANY players so losing those 9 (none of whom, BF aside, contributed last year) brings us back to parity. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve 0 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Velicka played his part.... CL football will take its toll on the players as well...we need a bigger squad to cope. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Velicka played his part.... CL football will take its toll on the players as well...we need a bigger squad to cope. I have to agree steve. The squad now looks too slim to cope with the SPL, cups & Champions League unless we really ARE going to see some of the yougsters given a chance. We could have post injury worries for CL away games with the likes of Thomson, Edu & others because when Thomson flew out to Germany he wasn't going to be able to play in the 1st friendly after swelling appeared on his knee due to the flight out there. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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