Frankie 8,151 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 (edited) I don't normally refer to Greek mythology in my articles but as Rangers players partied Saturday night away in their private booth with VIP table service at 'Panacea' nightclub in Manchester, the connotations of the club name with healing and solutions certainly struck a chord. It was in the mid-late 1990s that Richard Gough stated 'the team that drinks together, wins together' and when one looks back at that decade of dominance for our club; not many people would disagree with his comment. The 9IAR team spirit was second to none and hardly any of the squad during that time of supremacy lacked commitment - home-grown or foreign in background. As such, our club ruled the SPL and Walter Smith was the King who reigned over that success. Fast forward ten years and that same King reigns over markedly different circumstances. The club dynasty is one that appears at its end, there is no money to replace under-performing players and success is more inconsistent than guaranteed. Indeed, our problems are rife and despite still being in with a chance of topping the league come the end of 2009, King Walter is no longer the omniscient legend we all though he was last century. But, he can still be our panacea. To fulfil that role, we can only hope he finally sees the same difficulties we do. Sure, his loyalty to players who have helped deliver the relative success we've seen over the last 2 years is a virtue we shouldn't readily dismiss. After all dropping players for the odd bad game (or mistake) isn't a way to build confidence and morale half-way through another must-win season. However, there is a fine line between supporting his players and blind loyalty. That fine line has arguably been crossed with the continual selection of Steven Whittaker whose confidence is shot in ways every opposition team and every opposition player is clearly taking advantage off. The belief in Steven Davis to finally take up the mantle of Barry Ferguson in assuming responsibility for igniting our attacking play is one that is more misplaced with every match he lets us down. Stubbornness and familiarity are also managerial aspects we must criticise carefully. Consistency of selection is agreeable, consistency of strategy breeds success while faith in tactics has seen us challenge on many fronts since Smith returned. However, once again, the fine line between faith and questionable selection of players simply because of a winning system has been crossed. Despite his faults Lee McCulloch has done reasonably well this season and has arguably out-performed others in midfield. Unfortunately, when not accompanied by another holding player, he lacks the guile necessary to dominate the engine-room. Adding Steven Naismith - a centre forward only has been proven surely - to the mix isn't innovative or exciting; merely bizarre and too demanding of a player that lacks the physical nature required when up against 5 man opposition systems. Ability to change brings us back to 'panacea' and immediate evidence that Smith (and his managerial assistants) may not be the solution comes with their attempts at starting XI changes, substitutions or transfers. Quite simply they have bought badly; over-complicate their team with player after player out of their preferred position; and seem incapable of making substitutions during matches to change our fortunes. As such, it is difficult to believe that with these same issues still prevalent they can address the problems now - in a December where our home and away form will be challenged by any team who can see the same obvious faults as we do. Can Walter Smith et al really retain the league title? That in itself raises more short-term questions. Will the manager's contract be renewed in January? What about key players such as Kris Boyd? Can the club afford to reject the financial temptations of English sides courting those players that are performing to the level required? Just how much is this off-the-field speculation affecting the players? Or was a good night on the p!ss enough to foster a renewed sense of optimism, spirit and commitment amongst a group of players who look otherwise lost or AWOL when we need them most? What is clear is that we need to see this spirit; this belief and this passion to get our league bid back on track. And, as seems to be a recurring theme whenever one examines the fortunes of Rangers, we need a leader; a real captain of men to induce these qualities in an era where money, extravagance and excitement are no longer possible in the short-term. But that isn't a reason for not competing more strongly than we have been. At the weekend, our manager talked about a lack of creativity in his team while our club captain conceded we're going backwards while others take the fight to us. The time is now for Walter to be the creative one, Davie Weir to communicate that and every player at the club to lead from the front foot. Do that and Walter may be the King of Kings - do not and the Rangers empire may only crumble further. Thus, when our players enjoyed the luxuries of Panacea on Saturday night I hope the fine wines and food were taken along with a substantial serving of humble pie. For they and our manager are the only solution available so it is time for them to earn their crust. As such, when we visit central Scotland on Saturday, I hope to see clear evidence that our players are up for a new Battle of Falkirk and a belated battle fever has arisen from the team-bonding of the weekend. Anything less is unacceptable. Edited November 30, 2009 by Frankie 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maineflyer 0 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 You know, something is missing here. On various topics, we're debating whether the manager should stay or go, whether his tactics and man management are good or bad. Of course it's in the nature of these things that supporters will take different views but surely, somewhere in the equation should be the voice of the people whose job it actually is to judge the manager. Why is it that Rangers have such difficulty setting standards and targets for their managers - and then judging them accordingly on whether these targets are met? Where are the directors, where is the chairman in such dreadful times. Between the club and the Supporters Trust we seem to have captured the market in incompetence. No one is going to convince me that what we are seeing on the park is acceptable for Rangers and it hasn't been for several seasons. Yet there seems to be a profound culture of abdication throughout Rangers. Any number of other clubs would have switched on the red warning light above the manager's door long ago but we seem content to leave the manager to drift and the supporters to squabble. Of course this is symptomatic of a club in disarray but, let's face it, this didn't start yesterday or even last year. This has been the way at Rangers for many years. Far too much time over the years has been spent in indecision and the board of directors must take complete responsibility. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,342 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 'the team that drinks together, wins together' If the stories are true then it's only the part of the team that can afford it. That defeats the purpose and creates a "them and us" and doesn't do a huge amount for team bonding. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,151 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Don't disagree with that MF - the blame can certainly be extended throughout the club and the continual under-performance of the board is one that has played a central part in our backwards trek. However, no-one is telling me that a squad of players who are capable of winning titles and playing well; along with a manager of the greatest experience and knowledge cannot regroup to win this title. They're on the front-line and they're not going to be relieved by others so they need to stand up and be counted. They are the problem but they are also the solution. Surely at some point they have to look in the mirror and see they're not doing anywhere near enough. When our goalkeeper, a 17 year old and a 39 year old centre-half are amongst our best players for the season, surely embarrassment at the very least will force some into action? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbr 1,247 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Since Advocatt had to leave due to various reasons , in my opinion all Murrays expectations and hopes went with him , since then we have been on a downward spiral of costcutting and down sizing , our support has continually been told to expect less whilst paying more . The middle paragraph of maineflyer's post is possibly the most accurat summation of our current position that I have read in a long while . We are a club with no direction and even worse no ambition , our entire being seems to be getting through each season without losing a fortune , whilst paying average players a fortune in wages and bonuses . I do not have a chrystal ball and I cannot even get a winner on the fixed odds , but I hope for all our sakes that our fortune changes and changes very soon in the respect of any new owner must have a drive and a vision to match the support , if not god knows what the future holds 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,151 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 'the team that drinks together, wins together' If the stories are true then it's only the part of the team that can afford it. That defeats the purpose and creates a "them and us" and doesn't do a huge amount for team bonding. Yep, I'm told a few players couldn't afford the kitty 'fee' for the night out on Saturday so it would be interesting to find out who did and who didn't go because of this.... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanner 0 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 SDM holds the direction that the future will take, the decision is his somethings never change, interestin comments in todays Evening Times, perhaps they realise they backed the wrong horse. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewarty 1,876 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 What's this BD? Apparently the players had to stump up �£2k each for the kitty. �£2k for a night out? Ooofft! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmck 117 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Apparently the players had to stump up �£2k each for the kitty. �£2k for a night out? Ooofft! Wow, that's some night out. I suppose, cocaine's quite expensive 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewarty 1,876 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Wow, that's some night out. I suppose, cocaine's quite expensive You obviously don't know the right people!! (Not saying I do either but I'm sure you'll get plenty for that amount) 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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