[FT] Rangers 3 (Waghorn 5 pen, 16; Kranjcar 53) - 0 Stranraer

[Frankie 8,199]

As we approach our fourth and final group stage game of the revamped League Cup, it's worth having a recap of progress so far. On that face if it, three wins out of three, nine points, seven goals scored and none conceded is positive but it's difficult to analyse the performance effectively given the standard of opposition.

 

In the first game against Motherwell, as expected, we started slowly and could easily have been two or three goals down by the time we did take the lead early in the second half. It's fair to say we defended very poorly for large periods in that game (from set pieces especially again) but it's also fair to say, on another day, we could have scored six or seven ourselves.

 

With that in mind, the three games have been of a familiar pattern: lots of possession for the Light Blues along with the bulk of any territorial advantage and goal-scoring chances. For a manager that looks for us to dominate the ball and look after our pitch geography, the stats will keep him happy. Add in the pre-season friendly nature of the games and the requirement to take care over 'player load' then Mark Warburton will be comfortable with our progress so far. A win tonight at Ibrox would also guarantee our participation in the last 16 knock-out phase so should that occur, it will be job-done in terms of our league season preparation.

 

In that sense, there's not much to complain about: after all we're trying to bed in nine new signings and the rotation involved in ensuring game-time for most of the squad was always going to hamper out fluency in such games. There's no doubt we should have scored more goals given our dominance in each match but the sharpness associated with this often takes the longest to find after the summer holidays. In general we've been reasonable enough and the new signings all look useful also. However, it can be argued we're still short of a first-choice centre-half and striker if we genuinely see ourselves as Premiership title challengers. Moreover, despite tonight's match, it may not be until after we play Burnley and Hamilton that we have a more accurate idea of our quality.

 

First things first though and we have another game tonight against a Stranraer side still in with a chance of winning the group themselves and unbeaten in their two games so far. Of course we'll be huge favourites to win tonight but, just as Annan And East Stirling showed last week, Stranraer will be well-organised and tough to break down. Add in the experience of Scott Agnew and Christian Nade, then Brian Reid's men may well carry an attacking threat not seen in our last two games.

 

Looking in more detail at the Rangers team, it's likely there will be more changes from the XI that strolled to victory on Friday evening. In defence, we can expect Wes Foderingham, James Tavernier and Rob Kiernan to return given Matt Gilks, Lee Hodson and Clint Hill all played the last two matches. There is the slight chance Lee Wallace may be rested in favour of the versatile Hodson but I'd expect the skipper to start.

 

Further forward in midfield, it was a surprise not to see Joey Barton feature at Ochilview but perhaps the artificial surface affected that decision. Jason Holt also missed the game with a slight niggle so it may be both start tonight with a view to increasing their match fitness ahead of tougher tests. However, Andy Halliday has said he doesn't intend dropping out of the team easily and with Josh Windass and Niko Kranjcar both looking sharp so far, the manager won't find it easy choosing a first choice midfield as it stands. Jordan Rossiter has also returned from his exertions with the England under-19 team so he may well feature tonight as well.

 

Meanwhile, in attack, after his knee injury last season, Martyn Waghorn has looked extremely fit so far this term and with two goals in the two games he's started, he'll be eager to get back into the team tonight. New signing Joe Dodoo also got off the mark with a début strike on Friday so he'll be very keen to carry that threat into his first home match. However, with McKay, Forrester, Miller and O'Halloran all doing well respectively also, it's not easy to guess what Warburton's favoured three-man attack will be.

 

To conclude, as it stands, the manager has a surplus of options available to him right through the team which is a real bonus for any league challenge we can make. As last season closed (and after injuries to Waghorn and Forrester) we lacked genuine depth and quality in the squad and that seems to have been resolved for the moment with everyone fit again. Consequently, the next challenge for the manager is finding the right blend of players to not only continue our dominance of games but improve on the chances we take whilst ensuring we're not as soft at the back. Another good win tonight will help him make that decision and it will be interesting to see who is chosen to find that required solution.

 

Possible team:

 

Edited July 25, 2016 by Frankie

[Frankie 8,199]

You'd imagine Hardie will have to feature at some point tonight as well given he's the only player not to so far.

 

However, given the Dodoo signing, it looks more like another loan deal for the lad.

[Waltersgotstyle 297]

Can't agree with that line up at all mate.

 

I think we will see a 4-3-3 not a 4-5-1

[Frankie 8,199]

Can't agree with that line up at all mate.

 

I think we will see a 4-3-3 not a 4-5-1

 

Just the way the graphic is - it is effectively a 4-3-3 with Barton holding, two further central midfielders and two wingers to compliment the main striker.

 

EDIT: In some games, it's actually more of a 4-1-4-1 in how we set up. Conversely (e.,g. against Celtic last year) occasionally it is a 4-2-3-1.

 

Essentially they're all variations on the same 4-3-3 formation.

Edited July 25, 2016 by Frankie

[aweebluesoandso 290]

We know the opposition hasn't been the toughest, but you can only play what is put in front of you. Never the less i have enjoyed the games, coming up for the Annan game was a lovely night. But as for getting the players match fit and helping the new boys bed in, it's been helpful imo.

 

The usual suspects stand out McKay, Wallace, Tav, Waggy. But the new boys have impressed too, Windass, Dodoo looked sharp, Hill looks steady as does Hodson. Another bonus for us is that Forrester is looking sharp and fit again and full of tricks, MOH is showing form of what we know he is capable of.

 

Early days yet but the team is looking good, with more players yet to come in or back to fitness like Rossiterand ccooks.

[Tannochsidebear 2,322]

Looking forward to my first look in the flesh at the new side tonight, as although I seen the game on tv on Friday it is not the same as seeing it live where you can see the movement and positional sense of the players off the ball much more than you can on tv which essentially just tracks the ball.

 

Hoping to get a good look at the new players Barton, Hill, Krancjar, Dodoo, Windass who are ready to feature.

 

I am worried about the lack of action for Hardie, who is miles better than Mr Misser and should be getting some gametime based on his goalscoring run at Falkirk in the second half of last season. It looks like Warburton doesnt rate him. If he doesnt start tonight it must be more likely he will be loaned out again.

[Waltersgotstyle 297]

Just the way the graphic is - it is effectively a 4-3-3 with Barton holding, two further central midfielders and two wingers to compliment the main striker.

 

EDIT: In some games, it's actually more of a 4-1-4-1 in how we set up. Conversely (e.,g. against Celtic last year) occasionally it is a 4-2-3-1.

 

Essentially they're all variations on the same 4-3-3 formation.

 

I think your inclusion of Halliday on the left just goes against the shape we have been playing lately.

 

I think we will see a midfield 3 of either:

 

Halliday Barton Kranjcar

 

or

 

Holt Barton Kranjcar

 

WIth Dodoo possibly playing somewhere in a front 3.

[der Berliner 3,327]

While it is all about getting match sharpness, we essentially have qualified for next round and can rotate the squad at will. Hence MW gave us 5 certain starters and will probably chose the rest "on the spot". Thus, I wouldnt be surprised to see e.g. Dodoo and Thompson getting in early.

 

And more changes can be expected tomorrow, with Barton, Kranjcar, James Tavernier, Wes Foderingham and Martyn Waghorn all set to start.

“There will be more changes on Monday. Niko Kranjcar and Joey will start, while Wes, Tav and Waggy will be back,” he said.

 

HITC

Edited July 25, 2016 by der Berliner

[ian1964 10,486]

STV news seems to be blanking Rangers as well,(again!),no mention of the match tonight,plenty chat about Hertz,Hibs & of course C****c...........................

[cooponthewing 1,139]

No one likes us, we don't care m8! Think I'm becoming numb to it. Off to the game, not sure about attendance tonight? Anyone think we will get 25k+??