01 Dec 2016 09:48:45
First time poster, long time reader (viewer? Watcher? Stalker? ) of the site

Last night, as a few of you have mentioned, has to be the worst performance in Warburton's reign.
Wallace shows no leadership, Tav, my god, the two goals were embarrassing from his point of view (although the second goal can be attributed to a lot more than just the full backs positioning), and his distribution from open play and set pieces was absolutely woeful.
The midfield had no fight. Wee Holt looked as though he wasn't sure where to play, although that maybe due to the lack of mobility and desire shown by both Crooks and Halliday. Crooks, although only his first outing, gave the ball away every single time from the kick off of the second half. Every time.

Now the Front 3, Which we persist on, I would reserve from blaming them too much as they weren't getting the support, and the one chance we had big Dodoo took it really well. But why, when everybody and their granny can see it, does MW persist on 3 upfront.

There was a moment against Thistle where we went with two through the middle with Dodoo and Miller, and we got two goals through their link-up, Surely play Dodoo and Garner through the middle and swamp the midfield.

I think this is an easy fix, but not with Warburton as manager unless he can change his stubborness around the formation and style of football. With exception to maybe 2 or 3 of our regulars, we most definitely have a squad that capable of beating anyone in this league, but not playing a 4-3-3 the way we play it.

My Solution would be (depending on the opposition) 5-3-2 (Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts) or 3-5-2 (Everyone Else)

I would have Crooks as a "Tuguy-style" role moving from Sweeper to defensive midfielder throughout the games with two dependable CB's either side (Probably Hill when fit and anyone else as they are all equally gash)

Instead of Tav as right back i'd play Hodson as he can defend, and probably have to stick with Wallace, but give the captaincy to someone else as it is too much for Wallace and he can't motivate a team. Nice guy, and i have a lot of respect for him sticking with us, but he can't motivate a team when the chips are down.

Centre Mid I would have Rossiter when fit, and Holt, with Windass with a free role behind a front two from either Garner, Dodoo or Miller. My Personal preference is Garner and Dodoo as Garner allows you to play more direct and is a great option for an out ball, he wins every header sent his way, and 70% of the time finds a blue jersey with a knock on or layoff from the header.
What I have seen of Dodoo, I am confident in the right team he would do the damage. But he can't play the solitary striker role, his play is about finding pockets of space and being one on one with a defender. Not Holding up the ball for support.

Anyway, to summarise, We DO have good enough players, that isn't the issue. The issue is Warburton not being able to evolve and adapt his style to suit the Premiership, which I think is a complete disrespect to the fans and this league, and from a guy who constantly harps on about being respectful.

Maybe he's gonnae do a Rocky and lure everyone into a false sense of security and go south paw, and play a new formation soon, but i wouldn't hold my breath.

1.) 01 Dec 2016
01 Dec 2016 10:14:15
Totally agree that 5-3-2 and 3-5-2 are better suited formations for the players we have, and both would be learned in the same manner allowing the full backs to transition with the flow of play mid-game between the two formations. If I was picking the players though, I would have Wilson as the middle "ball carrying" CB with Hill and Kiernan either side of him (Crooks has played half a game and not convincingly) . More importantly I would have McKay as the central most advanced of the three CM's and give him a free role in the no. 10 position. That combined with full backs bombing forward with the three CB's providing cover behind, and having two strikers up top would bring the balance of attack and defense that we are desperately missing right now.

2.) 01 Dec 2016
01 Dec 2016 10:23:13
The only problem with those formations is Warburton has never heard of them and wouldn't know how to implement them.

3.) 01 Dec 2016
01 Dec 2016 10:25:16
disagree with your 5-3-2/ 3-5-2 idea. Hodson in my opinion is a worse defender than Tav, which is hilarious as I reckon tav is more of a right mid than a right back. Garner and Dodoo should be the striking partnership, a 4-4-2 would probably suit better, offers more protection on the flanks.

4.) 01 Dec 2016
01 Dec 2016 14:49:24
Thanks for the reply's folks. I agree with that too BlueIsTheColour, Personnel wise, we do have a lot of options, McKay is severely lacking confidence at the moment but I agree would probably prefer that free role, allowing him to come deep to pick up the ball and then drive on, as Windass wants to do so often.

Good point BossHogg lol.

My thinking behind the 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 Onlyshowaround is to swamp midfield to stop the opposition getting out, whilst allowing us to dominate and still keep two through the middle upfront.
With three at the back, and two wing backs, whilst we are defending its easy for our wide men to fill back and one of the back three to shift across to support. If we played 4-4-2, I fear we may suffer in middle with only two centre mids, and with the way our FB's push forward we're already short on protection. But only my opinion. Tav's an enigma, but his deliveries from wide were brutal last night, (did any get beyond the first man? ) and he was found out at both goals, although the second had multiple mistakes. I do like tav, maybe its a personal issue, or maybe he needs a rest or Hodson behind him to give him a bit of confidence that when he goes forward, he has cover. Hodson although an average footballer, does the simple things well in my opinion.

However I think we all agree that Stevie wonder could see that a change is needed in terms of our formation and tactics. Also, i'm sure like me all the bears will give the players full support at the weekend. But if there no evidence of MW evolving and showing some of this famous tactical knowledge he has learned during his pilgrimage to all these top European and South american teams that we hear so often, and learning to adapt, I fear for his future as Rangers manager.

5.) 01 Dec 2016
01 Dec 2016 15:56:30
Some good points but I wouldn't play Hodson. Tavernier is a better player than Hodson. Equally, I would suggest that Holt is not good enough at this level and we have a major problem at centre back. Agree fully on Wallace and I fear that he also struggles against the better teams in this league.

Unfortunately I am fast coming to the conclusion that Warburton, sadly, is not the guy to take us forward and I am really struggling to see what David Weir brings.