match thread (image) [FT] Rangers 7 - 1 Motherwell (Arfield 8', 61', Tavernier 35' pen, Morelos 38', Middleton 59', Grezda 68', 75')

[craig 5,195]

6 hours ago, DMAA said:

It’s just a fact that it isn’t a given though. Our corner taking has been really poor all season. Some players are specialists and the rest are inconsistent at best. 

 

There’s a good reason why Kent hasn’t been taking corners, his corners weren’t anywhere near good enough. Only a small percentage were decent. 

 

 

And my point is, if all they are good at is taking corners then no thanks.  Even on a good day you get maybe 10 corners, on average 5 from each side.  So having a player in the team because he gives you 5 good corners a game of which you MIGHT score one ?

 

no thanks, not for me.  I expect players to be able to play football well as a minimum, not squeeze them in because they can deliver a set piece.

 

im not necessarily talking about Middleton but I do believe he is still too one dimensional and also lacks discipline defensively.

[pete 2,499]

2 minutes ago, craig said:

And my point is, if all they are good at is taking corners then no thanks.  Even on a good day you get maybe 10 corners, on average 5 from each side.  So having a player in the team because he gives you 5 good corners a game of which you MIGHT score one ?

 

no thanks, not for me.  I expect players to be able to play football well as a minimum, not squeeze them in because they can deliver a set piece.

 

im not necessarily talking about Middleton but I do believe he is still too one dimensional and also lacks discipline defensively.

I am not sure I agree with you on that Craig. Middleton has a gift in scoring himself but also in picking out players that is not the obvious choice to pass to. I have not counted but I am sure he has had more assists than Kent in the few games he has played. I certainly don't see him as one dimensional.

[craig 5,195]

1 minute ago, pete said:

I am not sure I agree with you on that Craig. Middleton has a gift in scoring himself but also in picking out players that is not the obvious choice to pass to. I have not counted but I am sure he has had more assists than Kent in the few games he has played. I certainly don't see him as one dimensional.

He’s one dimensional IMO.  He gets the ball, head down, pushes ball past full back and looks to get to the bye-line.  He doesn’t vary it (to be fair he did a little on Thursday but that’s the first I’ve seen it).

 

it depends on what you call one dimensional I guess.  Running down the bye line all the time and picking out different passes is still one dimensional for me - and can be fairly easily defended, aside from the pace.

 

its not a slight on the lad because I rate him.  But I believe he currently is still one dimensional and he most certainly does lack defensive discipline.

[pete 2,499]

18 minutes ago, craig said:

He’s one dimensional IMO.  He gets the ball, head down, pushes ball past full back and looks to get to the bye-line.  He doesn’t vary it (to be fair he did a little on Thursday but that’s the first I’ve seen it).

 

it depends on what you call one dimensional I guess.  Running down the bye line all the time and picking out different passes is still one dimensional for me - and can be fairly easily defended, aside from the pace.

 

its not a slight on the lad because I rate him.  But I believe he currently is still one dimensional and he most certainly does lack defensive discipline.

I haven't seen him enough to judge his defensive discipline but his ability to score and also pick out a deciding pass has exited me. It is easier to sort defensive problems than find a player to create scoring opportunities.

[pete 2,499]

Just to add we are discussing an 18\19 year old here.

I really don't see one dimensional.

[DMAA 3,603]

4 hours ago, craig said:

He gets the ball, head down

This simply isn’t true. His quick pass in the Villarreal game was a great example of his vision and quick thinking.

Another pass against Spartak showed again great vision and quick thinking and, most importantly, the passing range to execute it, and should have ended in another goal because it was a fantastic chance. 

 

I firmly believe the impression you and others have is due to most of what we’ve seen of him being the final stages of a games when he’s been asked to just take on his man. He’s shown at youth level he’s got loads of quality, not least a brilliant shot with both feet. 

Edited November 14, 2018 by DMAA

[buster. 4,808]

14 minutes ago, DMAA said:

This simply isn’t true. His quick pass in the Villarreal game was a great example of his vision and quick thinking.

Another pass against Spartak showed again great vision and quick thinking and, most importantly, the passing range to execute it, and should have ended in another goal because it was a fantastic chance. 

 

I firmly believe the impression you and others have is due to most of what we’ve seen of him being the final stages of a games when he’s been asked to just take on his man. He’s shown at youth level he’s got loads of quality, not least a brilliant shot with both feet. 

Middleton, who will celebrate his 19th birthday at the turn of the year, has a lot to his game and is showing signs of being able to perform at first team level.

 

A young and hungry wide player who can create and finish should be encouraged with enough gametime to continue his development and if he is the real deal, he'll make the first team spot his own, regardless of age. 

 

 

[DMAA 3,603]

15 minutes ago, buster. said:

Middleton, who will celebrate his 19th birthday at the turn of the year, has a lot to his game and is showing signs of being able to perform at first team level.

 

A young and hungry wide player who can create and finish should be encouraged with enough gametime to continue his development and if he is the real deal, he'll make the first team spot his own, regardless of age. 

 

 

I’m seriously excited. His ability to score from outside the box with both feet reminds me of someone I was very glad to see age at Celtic, Kris Commons. His goals from midfield were priceless for them and I think the same will be true of Middleton, especially in the age of 1 up front. 

[buster. 4,808]

2 minutes ago, DMAA said:

I’m seriously excited. His ability to score from outside the box with both feet reminds me of someone I was very glad to see age at Celtic, Kris Commons. His goals from midfield were priceless for them and I think the same will be true of Middleton, especially in the age of 1 up front. 

I've seen too many great prospects come and go without leaving their mark at Ibrox to risk getting seriously excited.

 

Contained anticipation with fingers crossed behind back is where I'm at 

[Gaffer 1,665]

The manager and coaches felt he needed to vary his game more, rather than just going down the outside each time.  I mentioned in the Sunday match thread that they had Jamie Murphy and Steven Smith on RTV and it was a very good commentary team, along with Tom.  Jamie was able to give great insight on many things throughout the game, and one thing he spoke about was Middleton, and the drills the coaches are doing with him to help vary his play.  Jamie specifically mentioned his confidence to use his pace on the wing all the time was admirable but too easy to defend in many occasions.  He said he was pleased on Sunday to see the training pitch drills working out the way the coaches wanted them to in that game against Motherwell.

 

I felt he was right because that's the most I've seen Middleton vary his play and Well couldn't live with his pace and trickery.  I hope the boy continues to develop because he could be a really good player for us.  He's certainly direct and exciting.