match preview (image) Rangers 4 Dundee 0 (Miller, Morelos, Murphy, Candeias)

[cooponthewing 1,139]

One of the new theories of personality is that it is a fluid entity. The days of strictly adhering to Eysenck, Allport and even Freud theorising over dimensions and trait theory being solidified within subjects are being challenged. We adapt and change our personality to evolve within the environment that we face. This environment changes frequently on a daily basis from family to work to friends and even those we like and dislike. Therefore, our personality is required to be a fluid entity as we act out our roles within society’s daily requirements.

 

I don’t know about anyone else but with all the emotion that we have been feeling these last six years and more recently, I have forgotten who I am anyway? The journey we have been on has had more twist and turns and more ups and down that any amount of personalities can adapt to? As a support, we have been continually adapting to a new environment with various expectations and social constraints placed upon us. We only have to look at the highlighting of unsavoury incidents involving a few foolish supporters, versus the widespread lack of acknowledgment of sectarian abuse directed at our players from numerous sources, for evidence of the challenges we face. At the recent Ibrox old firm encounter there was again a child at the front of collateral damage as flash bomb devices were thrown down onto our fans. Our supporters have not only faced challenges on the park but off it to from a society that has many questions to answer? It is to their eternal credit our supporters evolve with the challenges we face and I’m sure we will continue to do so, both on and off the park.

 

It seems disrespectful to continue further without mentioning the sad passing of Ray Wilkins in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest a few days ago. At 61 he was still involved in the media and there has been universal sadness at the loss of such a fantastic footballer and genuinely friendly human being. I remember sitting in the front row of what is now the rear of the Sandy Jardine stand when Butch scored “that goal” in the 1988 5-1 old firm demolition job. It’s as clear as yesterday as I was 13 years old and as the ball was cleared I remember thinking “don’t hit it” as I expected it to go high into the Broamloan Stand. However, Wilkins had other ideas and the rest is now history to be fondly remembered forever. I’m sure after playing for many other clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan there will be countless fans around the world sad at his passing. He will always be a Ranger and may he rest peacefully wherever he is.

 

On to matters on the pitch and we host Neil McCann’s Dundee at Ibrox this Saturday with a 3pm kick off. Our recent performances have been mainly awful. We played well for parts of the Old firm game but I felt the turning point was their second goal and perhaps the late miss from Alfie? It seems that since then the side have lost much of their confidence and self-belief. The performance versus Kilmarnock was abysmal and the first half versus Motherwell was the icing on the cake after the inner city tour we had on the bus down to Motherwell. Alves and Martin are causing a collective hysteria among the support as they are not suited together in such a critical position. However, we are lost for options although hopefully we may have Ross McCrorie available this week? Even if not 100% fit I would have him in beside a coin toss for Martin/Alves? Graham Dorrans was a mystery inclusion as I would have thought Jason holt may have been better for that particular game. Then again perhaps Murty has the semi in mind and wants to give him game time. Our midfield is lightweight and this is compounded by the lack of contribution from Josh Windass. Murty has for the most part played a 4-2-3-1 thus shaping his team round Windass. He has had a very poor return for the faith he has shown in him.  I guess it’s unfair to pick out each player individually as with the exception of Docherty none of them have shown any desire or commitment over the last few weeks. This game on Saturday would be the ideal time to show some steel and regain some momentum before the semi-final the following Sunday.

 

Being unsure of McCrorie’s fitness is a problem but should he be fit I would start with Wes-John-Alves-McCrorie-Tav, A two of Docherty and Dorrans with a three of Candeias-Cummings-Murphy and Morelos up front. I feel dropping Windass and replacing him with Cummings to play off the left is justified. He done this to great effect in the Falkirk match. Its unthinkable that we could lose again at Ibrox with such an important match the following Sunday. We have one point in nine over the last three games and now dropped to third with the real possibility of dropping again to fourth should we not improve? Having said all that I’m hopeful that the side will use the following weeks Hampden occasion as motivation to spur them on and gain a victory. Predicting a score is always difficult but a 2-0 would be ideal for everyone’s blood pressure.

 

Many of the side have not called upon their own various personalities and have been too happy to accept their fate. They all have fantastic ability but need to believe again that they can express themselves freely and continue to evolve as a team. I’m hoping Saturday gets us in a good place to form the challenge of the forthcoming Sunday. If the team could follow the lead of the support then we would be half way there.

 

C’mon eh bears!

 

[26th of foot 5,829]

My God, Eysenck mentioned in a match preview!

 

Seriously, only on Gersnet.

 

I have not heard of Eysenck for forty odd years, it was at University where young thrusting Lecturers were fond of referencing his personality tests. I seem to remember each of his personality tests had a couple of 'control questions'? Anybody want to squeeze in Tanenbaum and Hoxie?

[Scott7 5,144]

More questions than answers there, Coop.

 

Ah well. That’s psychos for you.

[pete 2,499]

Great read Coop you have come on a million miles since your first preview as everyone does who takes the first step and does one. I wish more would take the step instead of saying I can't do that. 

Anyway i would go for a 3-5-2

 

Foderingham

Martin McCrorie Alves

Tavernier Docherty Goss\Holt  Dorrans John

Morelos Murphy

[ian1964 10,409]

I see Dundee drew 0-0 with the scum at the piggery tonight.

[buster. 4,808]

It's as if both directly and indirectly, our club has been used over the past decade or so by all and sundry as a testing ground for all kinds of social, financial, fiscal, questionable business practises, mediatic, spinning (etc.) 'experiments' wrt how far you can actually go and very few have anything to do with football. With some I'd say how far beyond the line you can sail without getting 'caught', rather than how close to it.

 

Dundee have just started to get their act together and they'll come to Ibrox surprisingly confident of picking up a point or three. We'll just have to see how we react after three games without a win. Do we turn yet another corner and provide some hope that we can finish the season strongly or do we continue the way of recent performances, possibly fall further down the table and have everyone dreading the remaining games ?

 

In someways going to a 'bad place' prior to the semi-final MIGHT actually work in our favour given I think we struggle with expectation but I'd much rather have the three points given the league table.

 

Let's hope that Dorrans and McCrorie can show themselves to be ready for 'battle' but I'd be careful with the latter as we've already pushed his young body further than we should have at the end of last year. 

 

The very least we need to see is effort, workrate and trying to play the game at a high tempo.

Edited April 5, 2018 by buster.

[der Berliner 3,239]

9 hours ago, ian1964 said:

I see Dundee drew 0-0 with the scum at the piggery tonight.

 

Will probably go unnoticed, as did the 0-0 draw by the Yahoos at Fir Park just before we played there.

 

These teams know exactly how to play the big ones and now, with 3/4s of the season done, are well drilled and oiled in that. We need some spark to beat this kind of football and of late, it simple didn't materialize. Likewise, against those sides, too much emphasis has been laid upon defence, with usually two DMs covering a 4-man defence. Granted, Tav and John are more often than not up the park, but do we e.g. need Docherty and Dorrans that deep? Not least with Dorrans being just back from injury? Usually, players are being brought back by introducing them for the last 30odd mins (if Murty would know the word "substitution"). Not least when Dorrans ain't a deep player. That, plus the lack of creativity and spark provided by Windass cries for a change. Likewise, Murty should show Tav and Candeias a picture of one another, as their partnership has virtually evaporated in recent weeks. That, and Tav seemingly playing in his pre-December comfort zone again, being far to slow, long-thinking and hardly showing the spark required by someone wearing the armband. A world apart from the constant tenacity shown by e.g. Holt, who wore it before.

 

There are some murmurs that we'll go 4-4-2 on Saturday, The team probably picks itself, the only question mark would be whether Dorrans keeps Windass out of the starting XI. As for a 3-5-2, my favourite at home, Martin (who won't be dropped for whatever reason) can play right-back. Tav is off the boil and Candeias is great at tracking back, so that side is settled. I'd play John as left wingback, Murphy left inside, with Cummings and Morelos up front. Docherty will be the central MF who looks for the scraps, while McCrorie may step out of the defensive three and play sweeper ahead of them. He likes to go forward too, which is when Docherty drops back a little. Goss may start because of his creativity, Dorrans for later.

 

Foderingham

 

Martin - McCrorie - Alves

 

Candeias - Docherty - Goss/Dorrans - Murphy - John

 

Morelos - Cummings

[Gonzo79 13,587]

I'm not really looking forward to Saturday, sadly.  Dundee proved last night they're no pushovers and we have lacked any confidence in over 200 minutes of football.  

 

Pull your socks up Rangers - still a lot of work to do this season and if the desired effort is forthcoming, we can win the Cup and finish 2nd.

[ian1964 10,409]

 

[ian1964 10,409]