Rangers need to shape up

[pete 2,499]

Rangers need to shape up

Posted by John Gow

 

 

Now that the Rangers are top of the league, it's assumed by many that they will stay there until the end of the season. This might well happen, but unless there is collective amnesia, the one consistent fact everyone knows about the Light Blues this season has been their inconsistency.

 

Failing to win an away game in the league is an embarrassment, and although this can be rectified on Sunday away to Clyde FC, there is no-one running down to their local bookmakers with their mortgage payments, trying to put it on a Gers win.

 

Of-course, Ally McCoist is not daft and knows that the team isn't doing what he wants on the park, but unfortunately his thoughts on the topic is not something he is going to spell out to the fans - and nor should he.

 

So, while remembering McCoist is the Rangers manager for a reason, and critics do the business of criticism because they aren't good enough to be in the arena, the question remains: why does the Rangers management persist in seemingly pushing square pegs into round holes by playing some players out of position, and using a formation not suited to the personnel at his disposal?

 

When they play a 4-2-3-1 it seems the players are forced to fit the formation, rather than the formation designed to fit the players. Sometimes watching the team this season has led to the question, â??do the players genuinely understand what they are trying to achieve?' Dean Shiels is widely recognised as one of the Ibrox side's best players, yet on Saturday he gave the impression of a man totally lost.

 

Many fans were complaining about his performance, but it seemed he was unsure what he was there to do. Not quite a winger; not quite a forward; not quite a midfielder. And it's doubtful he is alone.

 

To be fair, the Light Blues have a reduced squad, both in numbers and quality, from previous seasons and sometimes you have to make do with what you have. But there is still some scratching of heads in the Ibrox stands.

 

Look at the right-back position. Sebastien Faure is playing there now, while Argyriou is playing right-midfield or is on the bench.

 

To most observers the Greek had made the right-back slot his own and although he's no Gary Stevens, he seems efficient and makes the occasional good run, as can be seen by his pass to Dean Shiels for Rangers second against Motherwell in the Cup. Faure by contrast, seems slower and less able in the position - which isn't surprising since he's a centre-half.

 

Another example is Andy Little playing in midfield. Okay, he's been out for a while with an injury, but when he was fit he couldn't stop scoring, yet he was pushed out wide on the right. He's not bad there, but he's a much better striker as can be seen by his phenomenal impact last Saturday, when his presence up-front changed the game instantaneously.

 

Not only does the team shape seem to force the management to have players out of position, but it reduces goalscoring chances by having only one striker and forcing everyone into the middle. It's doubtful it's supposed to do that, but that is the end result.

 

Even worse, it's also completely unnecessary considering Rangers are in Division Three. Flooding the midfield might be understandable against SPL opposition like the 'Well or Inverness Caley Thistle, but if Rangers can't play a solid 4-4-2 in the fourth-tier of Scottish football then they would be as well giving up.

 

More complicated isn't always better. Sometimes putting players in their proper positions and playing a style and formation they understand is more than sufficient.

[54andcounting 0]

I can only come to one conclusion to the above Pete. Ally is ham at management.

 

In saying that though, we probably won't win our first league game away at Clyde this weekend, but we'll defo win the league.

[kuznetsov 0]

we will beat clyde easily. this is not a good team we are going to play. probably the weakest of any we have played so far away from home.

[3909 04 0]

we will beat clyde easily. this is not a good team we are going to play. probably the weakest of any we have played so far away from home.

 

In terms of their home form, that's true. In which case, McCoist should send out the most attacking lineup at his disposal and set about them from the off.

 

Instead, I predict we'll earn an unconvincing, scrappy one goal win at best.

[Gazza_8 233]

we will beat clyde easily. this is not a good team we are going to play. probably the weakest of any we have played so far away from home.

 

Weaker than Stirling Albion who were bottom of the league when we played them?

 

I think we'll drop off top after Saturdays result.

[GovanAllan 0]

Another 4-5-1 borefest, we have to show them respect says Ally.

[kuznetsov 0]

Another 4-5-1 borefest, we have to show them respect says Ally.

 

oh please tell me he didnt?

[Bluedell 5,376]

The game against QP really highlighted the problem with the formation. It just isn't working and needs to be changed. It's too easy for 2 central defenders to sit and mark jig as there is very little coming through to stretch the defence. As soon as Little came on and played beside Jig we got a goal.

 

Perhaps Sandaz's injury limits Ally but he needs to get a formation that works in the third division and for the players that we have. We need someone with movement upfront. It was good to see Hemmings sitting in the director box which suggests that he may be back soon.

 

It looks to me as if we would do far better going 4-4-2 and hopefully we will see McCulloch and Little starting upfront together.

[GovanAllan 0]

oh please tell me he didnt?

 

Not yet but you know it's coming.

[Gribz 743]

We should be going into every game 4-3-3 in this division playing a good brand of football which sets the tone for the next 5 years. I could even accept the odd set back and poor result if something good came out at the end of it.