The Champions vs St Mirren

[OnlyOneAmoruso 0]

Table topping Rangers make the short journey to Paisley to face bottle of the table Cowden....sorry St Mirren in Sunday's live TV game.

 

Danny Lennon's men have picked up all 8 of their points at home this season, only losing once in 5 games. Last time out they won 2-1 to Aberdeen with on-loan Watford midfielder June Travner scoring an injury time winner.

 

We go into this game looking to get back on track after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Inverness and of course, Tuesday nights 3-0 reverse in Valencia. Saturday's game against Inverness showed us that we cannot afford to go into these games half heartedly. We may be better than the opposition in every aspect of the field but we have to match their desire and application.

 

With that in mind and given the run of games we are currently in the middle of, I expect a degree of freshening up on Sunday. I may be wrong and we may go 100% with tried and trusted, but I'd like to see something a little like this.

 

McGregor

 

Broadfoot

Bougherra

Weir

Papac

 

Weiss (if fit)

Davis

McCulloch

Wylde

 

Naismith

Lafferty

 

I think Miller, along with Whittaker and Edu would benefit from the rest as they are 3 players who rely on near peak fitness to allow them to perform. Young players such as Wylde & Weiss are ideal for games such as these. They provide a freshness and an excitement that can be invaluable coming off of a midweek European game. I'd be hoping at least one of them would start and would also expect John Fleck to continue his rehabilitation by playing some part in the game.

 

We played and defeated St Mirren 4 times last year in the SPL and to me, they look weaker this time around. Danny Lennon has brought a few players in from Cowdenbeath and they don't look to be of the standard required to survive in the SPL. As I mentioned above, they sit rooted to the bottom of the table with 8 points from their first 10 games. It would, however, be silly of us to think they will be a pushover especially when you take into consideration the energy sapping 90 minutes we endured on Tuesday evening.

 

With all of that in mind, I'm going for a nervy 2-1 win for The Rangers.

Edited November 4, 2010 by OnlyOneAmoruso

[Super_Ally 0]

Really need a win to get back on track after the last few results. We do not want to concede the advantage and top of the league spot that the Old Firm win gave us.

 

A bit of freshening up of the team might not hurt.

 

It's good to see we took maximum points off St Mirren in the SPL last season and we should be good enough to keep that run going.

[Gribz 743]

Agreed a few changes in the team would be refreshing. Would prefer to do that at Ibrox all the same as tight wee grounds like St Mirren are always tricky.

 

Id like to see something like 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 with this liine up and with Fleck (if fit) getting some game time also. Or perhaps possibly resting Papac who is a key player and playing Foster. Miller has been superb this season with a cracking goal ratio but could be done with the first hour on the bench:

 

:kb::mb::sp:

:sd::lm::kh:

:sn::kl::vw:

[Frankie 8,150]

Thanks for that mate!

 

I think you make many fair points though it isn't as easy as saying make a few changes and automatically win the game (as we seen against Caley). In saying that, I do think we need to rest a few players: Bougherra looks jaded, Whittaker struggles to last 90mins, Naismith isn't invincible and Miller seems off-form. However, I'm unsure we can afford to rest all four and am unsure Wylde would give us enough in such an important match.

 

What is clear we really need guys like Webster, Weiss and Beattie to prove their fitness and contribute more to the team.

 

I'd go for something like this:

 

:rf: :kb: :sp:

:sd: :lm: :jf: :vw:

:sn: :kl:

[OnlyOneAmoruso 0]

No problem.

 

I like the look of Gribz team. I would maybe make a case for including Fleck instead of Hutton to give the midfield 3 a bit more balance and attacking verve.

[Totti 0]

In games particularly at Ibrox where we are comfortable, we really need to start getting youngsters involved more so they're already integrated into the first team. Starting them in away games is throwing them in at the deep end.

[Super_Ally 0]

Thats not a bad team Frankie, but would require a big game from McCulloch to help his central midfield partner through the game.

[Frankie 8,150]

Thats not a bad team Frankie, but would require a big game from McCulloch to help his central midfield partner through the game.

 

Not just McCulloch but Davis who needs to take more responsibility for the team as well.

 

[Super_Ally 0]

Not just McCulloch but Davis who needs to take more responsibility for the team as well.

 

 

Agreed, but he'll be too busy hiding out on the right. :fish:

[Gribz 743]

I was close to putting a similar defence to Frankie i.e. Foster RB, Broadfoot and Bougherra in the middle with Papac LB.

 

Both Bougherra and Weir could be done with a rest, Bougherra due to looking jaded and Weir because we are going to need him to last the season.

 

Webster really needs to shake a leg and make himself available. Weir has missed less games than Webster has played for Gers in the last 3 years which is almost disgusting.

 

But id like to see the trio I put in the middle. I think Davis plays better in a inside right role, and with McCulloch sitting infront of the back 4 young Hutton could get about the park.

 

Cant see why Beattie isnt fit, he hasnt done anything to get an injury.

 

Cant wait for big Jelavic to get back but in the meantime Lafferty is still an good option plus Fleck could be done with getting some match time.