Rangers banter 4

23 Apr 2024 23:47:19
I wish we would play 2 uptop, and form a strike partnership. Less burden on one man.

I'm sick of 433 and it's variations. We've played this way for years under various managers. Every team in the league knows how we play.

It's so one dimensional and easy to defend against. We always isolate our striker and wonder why we haven't had a 30goal a season man on the books. We also have fullbacks and wingers all trying to run into the same space it's just awful to watch and its been this way for years.

I hope moving forward if Clement gets backed we see a different style and formation.

He just doesn't have the personel at the minute and given when he came in, his main job was to steady the ship. And he's done great in that respect. He picked us up off the floor and got us competing again. No matter how this season pans out he deserves a lot of credit for that.

But personally I really do hope he rips the script up next season. I know football has moved on from 442 but how about a 352 or something?

24 Apr 2024 05:20:02
Always liked a 4 3 1 2. With a 10 behind the front 2 with free range.

24 Apr 2024 07:13:37
I'm a big fan of 2 strikers up top, but it seems to be a lot less fashionable now (Unless you're Coldo) . Could it work? Of course it could, it's the SPL we play in.

24 Apr 2024 07:56:40
Arcade - i get what you're saying bud but you'd be playing 3 CBs in 90% of our games where teams sit in against us.

24 Apr 2024 08:08:08
To be fair it has always puzzled me why we play with 1 striker against teams that sit back. We should be playing 2 strikers. Successful Rangers teams almost always played two strikers domestically with the exception sometimes against Celtic. Roofe and Morelos 4-1 v them during 55 comes to mind. Yeah absolutely no need to overload with midfielders.

24 Apr 2024 08:09:27
I always preferred 4 4 2.

24 Apr 2024 08:36:08
I agree mate. We've stubbornly stuck to this formation but not bought players to play that formation playing players out of position. Have always liked idea of 352 or variation. Gives better protection as fullbacks are more attacking these days. Would help solve the Tav arguments. And given we tend to play 2 defensive mids it's not really more defensive.

24 Apr 2024 10:33:32
Great to hear support for 442. Many CB not used to handling 2 up front - look at C-V against the sheep, did not look happy when facing two big lads.

But the actual point is we need plan B, and for that matter c, d and e. We always play the same way, the subs never change the shape, we are way too easy to read. The mob closed us down last time and Lunny was often struggling to find an out ball. We need to put out a formation appropriate to the opposition - and be able to adapt during the game.

The long ball is not sacrilegious. We are not Real / PSG / City - we don’t have to play it out from the back every time. Whenever I see Goldson shaping to give super JB yet another bouncing 20 yr back pass I’m off to find a fresh pair of Calvin Kleins!

Try Roofe and Dessy on together for 20 mins, change it up now and again? Cantwell came deep a lot on Sunday, found acres of space, and drove at them, I can see him playing in a midfield 4. Obviously not saying we should drop the formation that we know well, but we need other options.

24 Apr 2024 11:02:39
Ive been harping on about 2 up front for about 5 years, especially when at Ibrox 90% of the time not having two strikers up top for me is criminal, we would score far more goals than this supposed 3 attackers in the box, its nonsense one up top leaves or strikers far too isolated.

24 Apr 2024 13:03:08
2 up top is outdated whether we like it or not.
Most teams may have formations such as 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 etc but they are set up to be fluid in attack or defence.
The issue is having the personal capable of following / understanding the managers remit.

24 Apr 2024 13:27:24
Big fat no for me on the 2 up front.

It's outdated because it's not as effective on the ball as having a 10 playing between the lines and arriving late into the box.

I also think off the ball it makes a high press difficult.

Very few top managers play a front 2 for a reason.

24 Apr 2024 14:42:55
That's been the issue for years "understanding the managers remit". Maybe we should try a remit that keeps the game simple after all football is a simple game. 442 is not as outdated as we think., Inter played 422 all the way to the champs league final last year. Atl Madrid were playing 442. We have played 433 variations since we returned to the SPL in 2016 and it hasn't really been successful. So maybe it is time to try something else?

24 Apr 2024 15:08:42
Tommy, we haven't been that effective on and off the ball using variations of the 433 either. Inter Milan just won Seria A playing with a front two.

24 Apr 2024 16:29:51
There’s a reason why nearly every top manager doesn’t play with 2 strikers. You okay 442 you get out numbered in midfield you play 352 you are too defensive and for us a team in a league where every team sits behind the ball it would be pointless. We need to sign two good wingers and a striker who will be quick and can score and no one will complain about 433. Personnel is the problem not formation.

24 Apr 2024 17:03:00
Only way you work a 2 up top is if you're totally rigid at the back, ie, Italian.

442 has tried making a comeback but it doesn't work.

4312 is useless. Beale tried it.

24 Apr 2024 18:51:27
In your opinion tjn, my opinion is different. Beales a Diddy PC isnt, that's the difference.

24 Apr 2024 19:52:07
4 4 2 all day long.

25 Apr 2024 07:27:08
Before we even consider 4-4-2, we would need to employ a manager who wants to play that way.
I'm sure there will be a few available in the Lowland, Juniors or Amateur leagues.

23 Apr 2024 23:00:27
Heard today from a source very close to first team squad to expect the majority of this summers business to come from within the SPFL. Miovski, Barron, Miller, Watson, Cameron, McCowan, Strain and Beck all scouted.

24 Apr 2024 06:55:31
beck on loan so rule him out.

24 Apr 2024 08:11:11
Some of those players listed are for the future. imo, we need better next season.

24 Apr 2024 14:49:41
Experienced winners with bit steel required too as we are too soft👍.

23 Apr 2024 21:20:47
I am at the Copa do Brasil U17 tournament, tell you what some amount of talent in this. Fast, direct and not scared to shoot. Always the question is can these players leave home and make it in Europe? But take a chance on a gem or two can make big bucks. Left winger for São Paulo is tasty. Scored a screamer. Number 7 if you can see it anywhere. Easily a few players here to take a chance on. Can update more in the coming days if anything seems interesting.

23 apr 2024 21:55:53
fantastic mate, great info too

you take care and enjoy yourself, and looking forward to your imput again.

23 Apr 2024 23:35:45
Would love to be there itk, enjoy pal. Keep it coming always interested in the next generation.
Could you try get the names if you can?

24 Apr 2024 08:12:52
InTheKnow, good post. enjoy.

24 Apr 2024 08:40:07
Unfortunately work permits and adjusting to Scotland always been an issue but would be great to see some of the talent over here. Enjoy mate.

24 Apr 2024 16:33:51
Get the adjusting part kaiser but always feel like Colombians or Argentinians more likely to adapt quicker in uk than Brazilians for some reason.

23 Apr 2024 17:29:26
At work today myself and some fellow bears were talking about cyriel dessers and how well we think he's doing and the stats he has with us 🤔We then got onto the topic of who we'd prefer between him and lawrence shankland and who we rated the better all round striker 🤔So it was pretty close between the 5 of us and who we picked, so i'm throwing the same question open on here guys 👍So who do you guys reckon is the best overall striker between cyriel dessers and lawrence shankland and if it was only a straight fight between those two, which one would you prefer to lead the line for us and be our no.9 🤔.

23 Apr 2024 19:01:11
Shankland. Far far more clinical. Dessers misses alot, terrible composure, 1 on 1s not great. Although dessers probably runs about a bit more. Hoping he moves on in the summer though.

23 Apr 2024 19:32:53
Shankland more clinical. Neither should be rangers number 9 in an ideal worl so Hopefully danilo is the player we hope he can be and that we sign another.

23 Apr 2024 19:39:21
I think Dessers is on 19 in all comps with 6 assists. He has probably played more than Shankland in terms of appearances but he rarely plays the full 90 mins so mins in pitch may be similar.
Shanks also takes penalties which inflates his stats in comparison.
I think Shankland is a better finisher though would he be as effective when playing teams who sit much deeper than when he plays for Hearts?
Personally I think Shankland all round game and link up is better but Dessers is decent at holding it up.
I’d sign Shankland to replace Roofe and would consider Miovski to replace Dessers or Danillo if price was right.

23 Apr 2024 19:47:31
Shankland better all round player for me.

23 Apr 2024 19:53:26
SPFL only:-
Shankland goal every 137 minutes.
Or a goal every 1.5 games.
3.8 shots per match.
0.7 shots on target.
17% goal conversion.
Dessers goal every 144 minutes.
Or a goal every 2.3 games.
3.0 shots per match.
1.4 shots on target.
15% goal conversion.
Shankland has more shots on goal.
Shankland has less shots on target.
But is obviously more clinical with his shots on target.
Disclaimer. The above includes penalties.
Would I spend £2-£4 million on Shankland to replace Dessers? Definitely not. I expect better.

23 Apr 2024 20:03:29
Paul86, i'm not saying for one minute that we don't need a better striker than dessers but we have to give the big fella credit here imo 🤔We should be focusing on the goals he's scored, instead of continually putting the guy down and focusing more on the chances he misses 🤔 He's most certainly not as bad a striker as some would have you believe and we've had a lot worse strikers at rangers than big dessers, over the years 🤔.

23 Apr 2024 20:10:07
Miovsky iv heard is celtic bound but shankland is a better all round striker who I'd sign to replace roofe we need 4 good forwards danilo dessers shankland and 1 other.

23 Apr 2024 20:31:32
Shankland doesn't take hearts pens anymore.

23 Apr 2024 20:43:30
Shankland All day every day.
Shanks on course to finish with 30 goals, same as last year. Shankland also does something we have been crying out for, scores goals in spl (21) and scores very regularly v celtic- 9 games 6 goals. He has played more minutes than dessers, but you can't hold that against shankland that dessers keeps being dropped for playing poorly. We are in need of a scorer like shankland that's for sure. It's similar thing to ferguson, we look down on our own for some reason, why? I will never know, as scottish players have always been the spine to our success over the years.

23 Apr 2024 20:44:15
Shankland all day long by a mile.

23 Apr 2024 20:59:56
It’s a close call between the 2 but Shankland edges it for me.
I think we need 3 strikers in the squad and preferably 1 is association or home grown for Europe.
Danilo Shankland and another.
If we can sell Dessers and sign Shankland with the proceeds, then hopefully we can find a gem in the transfer window.

23 Apr 2024 21:00:31
Dessers for me, works his ass off and runs the channels well. His hold up play has got better but still not great.

Cracking goal return this season, he probably should be on 30 with the chances he’s missed.

23 Apr 2024 21:03:25
Shankland for me, think of all the chances that we create and if they fell to Shankland pretty sure he would be on more goals, also he’s done well against them when a chance has fell his way and that’s with Hearts.
It’s all hypothetical though.

23 Apr 2024 21:15:52
Dessers wouldn't even get double figures in a Hearts team. Shankland is miles better.

23 Apr 2024 21:17:37
I think with Shankland you need to play to his strengths and I’m not sure we’d do that. Dessers presses much better but Shankland probably more of a goal scorer.

23 Apr 2024 21:39:01
Good stats mph.
If dessers took pens he would be up there with shanks in terms of goals.
Dessers is the better all round player and it’s not close in my opinion. Shankland misses chances also you would think they way some go on about him on here he scores every time he takes a shot. He doesn’t. No striker does.

We need better than both.

23 Apr 2024 21:41:06
Agree MPH, we do need a finisher but given his age I don’t think would be a great investment. We should have taken a punt when his value was lower / free.

23 apr 2024 21:59:14
not even close for me, shankland should and could have fired us to the title, imo

not even close, a far, far better player.

23 Apr 2024 22:19:37
If if if. Shankland all day.

23 Apr 2024 22:26:55
Think it's the boy Barnes Paul86.

23 Apr 2024 22:27:40
Would rather have Shankland however going forward I also think we need better then both
Shankland pace worry’s me he doesn’t look the most nimble at times? Or am I wrong on this?

23 Apr 2024 23:51:38
Shankland 21 goals in spl
Dessers 13 in spl
Shankland 3 in Europe
Dessers 1 in Europe
Shankland 9 starts v celtic 6 goals
Dessers 3 starts v celtic 0 goals
Out performing dessers basically everywhere.

24 Apr 2024 00:01:05
Teams try and play different against us to hearts.

24 Apr 2024 02:09:05
No doubt Shankland is a better striker and finisher, but Dessers work rate is far superior. The way he presses off the ball for us is second to none.

24 Apr 2024 05:10:26
Apart from the semi final though BB3.

24 Apr 2024 07:10:30
This isn't even close, it's Shankland by a country mile.

Look, Dessers numbers are good, while he continues to go from the ridiculously bad, to the ridiculously sublime, without any in-between, but we need better. Lawrence Shankland is better, much better, but time is not on his side.

I would take Shankland in a heart beat, but if hearts start getting arsy with the price, then it's a no - 2m tops, and that's it!

24 Apr 2024 07:31:09
I think they could form a good partnership as part of a two.

24 Apr 2024 08:04:30
Fair points RTR and Camoo, but as opined earlier by some, we seem reluctant to play two up top.

24 Apr 2024 08:10:02
To the point boy blue, I like it.

24 Apr 2024 08:15:13
Not much between them. tbh, we need better going forward next season. it will be interesting to see more of Danilo.

24 Apr 2024 08:17:08
Yes Dessers should score more we all know that, boy does a gd job imo, Shanks, could he score more at Rangers, when a few on here are bemoaning service, will he be a gd fit, we just don't know. Just need to wait n see if we pull the trigger. Agree though, as much as I like big Cyriel, we do need someone more clinical.

24 Apr 2024 08:51:46
I'd go for Shankland. Think he's a much better finisher tho Dessers better work rate. He's also scottish which is important. Not being able to have a full squad in Europe was crazy and can u think of many better options? Even if u rate them equally this would push it for me. To be fair to Dessers tho he's done far better than I expected and perhaps problem is noone else is scoring to take pressure off him making him look worse.

24 Apr 2024 09:07:17
There's 2 things that put me off, Fork, his age and the fee hearts will demand.

Look, as much as I wanted him here in January, we were never paying what hearts wanted, and rightly so. If they are mad enough to demand anything north of 2m in the summer then it's a no, and we look elsewhere.

24 Apr 2024 11:57:25
Commented on that exact point to one of your other posts RTR, totally agree bud, age doesn't help👍.

24 Apr 2024 13:54:30
Ror, hearts still believe they can get 4 million for shankland in summer. We certainly won’t pay that ….

24 Apr 2024 15:12:35
If that's what they're asking, John, then not a chance. What they believe they can get, and what they will get, are 2 different things.
Honestly, teams like Hearts crack me up with their demands. A player, who'll be 29 before next season starts, in his final 12 months of contract, and they believe they'll get 4m. No they won't!

24 Apr 2024 15:25:44
Who cares if Dessers works hard off the ball, its goals that win games. Dessers working hard off the ball never won us the game against Motherwell, Dundee, Ross county or any game v celtic! Now had he taken some of his chances in those games then we may have got some points!

25 Apr 2024 08:04:17
Better value elsewhere.

23 Apr 2024 15:00:21
Guys . liked the young Dundee midfielder McCowan who played against us . would like to see us sign 3 young scottish midfielders in the summer Barron. (Aberdeen ) Watson (Kilmarnock ) and McCowan.

23 Apr 2024 15:13:34
Do you think any of them would get game next season, going to need better if we are to progress.

23 Apr 2024 16:09:17
We do need to get some promising Scottish talent in.
Worth taking a chance on one or two and see how they develop. Will have chances for games with our schedule but not be starters straight away.

23 Apr 2024 16:53:23
Gers58 like people said about Lewis Ferguson aye?

23 Apr 2024 17:27:38
Would prefer Cameron from Dundee laudrup.

23 Apr 2024 18:02:15
None of the mentioned improve our starting 11. We need players as good as Hatate, ORiley and Macgregor. Lewis Ferguson is a one of and there won't be many of them around if any at all of that caliber.

23 Apr 2024 18:53:11
We need a young midfield with legs to get up and down pitch for 90 mins, wither any of them are good enough possibly, the boy from Dundee has impressed me, always willing to carry the ball upfield and opens the game up, take that over sideway passing every day of the week.

23 Apr 2024 19:40:06
Barton is the obvious 1 would cost £500k development fee and replace Ryan Jack who is out of contract.

23 Apr 2024 19:44:59
Barron was the best cm on the park against them in the semi final, very good replacement for Jack.

24 Apr 2024 06:48:09
Barron would be decent I think him Miller and Watson would all be good for us.

24 Apr 2024 08:16:26
There are definitely a few young players in the spl we should be looking at.

24 Apr 2024 09:21:04
Celtic managed to scout OReilley so there are players similar or better out there - just at that time our scouting was p*ss poor - hopefully new regime can find players of that ilk for reasonable fees👍.

24 Apr 2024 10:57:54
McCowan isn't that young - he's 27 this year. Granted he played well vs us and has had a good season but not one I would be considering over younger options like Miller, Watson or Barron from the league (in that order) . Having said that, 14 goal contributions from mostly central midfield is something we severely lack.

25 Apr 2024 08:04:49
My star, agree.

23 Apr 2024 13:08:25
@Athole

Went into the season full of hope with Beale and the new signings, got very confused very quickly trying to work out what MB's game plan was and struggled to see how the players were any type of improvement. Have enjoyed the football more since PC took over as you started to see some sort of pattern to the play.

Dessers - I'm torn here. If someone offered his goal return at the start of the season, i reckon most would of taken it. That being said, he could and should of had way more. Don't think he is good enough. That being said, he has a great character and personality to come through the way he has done.

Tav - Rate Tav highly but do firmly believe he should be getting rotated a bit more and he is not captain material. Always thought that during the winger crisis he should of been playing further up the field with Sterling behind him. In my eyes it would of been worth a shot, let him focus on his attacking, which is preety decent.

Goldson - As much as i can understand the flack he gets, stats wise, we do perform better with him than without. Though it is time for a change and to upgrade the backline.

GK - Really hope Butland stays, concenred about the 5mil release clause that was banded about but if we can keep him for another season at least that would be ideal.

Defence - May be the best in the league but it still needs upgrading. Yilmaz and Sterling for the FB's and some new CB's. Keep Soutar for Scots allocation, Balogun for squad size, injuries etc. I'd also want to be promoting a few youth players when playing some of the (No disrespect) lower teams or cups.

Mid - Needs a revamp. Jack, Lundstrom, Dowell, Matondo, Wright and Lawrence to leave for me. Just not good enough or too injury prone. Really disappointed with Raskin and hoping he can come good. Diomande looks alright and a good run will do him wonders. Liked what i seen of Cortez so hoping the injury isn't a recurring one. Unpopular opinion, i don't really rate McAusland. There's nothing wrong with him, just don't think he is up to the standard we want. Not hounding him out, he is young and there have been glimmers. Maybe ai am just missing the type of winger who runs at players. He doesn't seem to want to take a man on. If the finances allow, i'd try and get Sima in.

Strikers - Roofe needs to go. Its a shame but it is what it is. We need someone new to come in alongside Dessers and Danilho. Both i believe should be kept for rotation next season but we do need an out and out goalscorer. Not overly enamoured with the names being bandied about so far. And Silva can go back to Wolves. I have been so disappointed with him.

Overall, i didn't expect us to win the leage after MB left so being this close is a bonus. The League cup win was nice and the SC Final will be a great game. Just hoping they can keep it going till the last game and get the wins we need. I do worry that Celtic have the ability to spend money and increase the quality of their squad better than we can.

23 Apr 2024 14:07:19
I pretty balanced opinion, I'd probably agree with you on most of that. If we have Davies, Hagi, Wright, Dowell, Lawrence and Matondo I think we could get about 8m for them without really weakening the team. Those out of contract will free up some wages.

23 Apr 2024 14:07:47
Could not agree more with everything you said in that post mate.

23 Apr 2024 15:11:38
There is no release clause on butland. Major surgery hopefully in the summer. And pray we don't entertain taking silva back.

23 apr 2024 15:38:55
theres surely no way pc will have silva back after that on sunday paul, surely he's read the room.

23 Apr 2024 15:44:33
Dowell and Raskin gives absolutely nothing for players so young. Both are just not good enough. If Soutter and Gokdson stays and are still starters next season it will be 2nd place again. Time for a new captain aswell.

23 Apr 2024 16:57:01
We are saving roughly 5.5m a year on players out of contract so there are players we can get without over paying. I like barron but nowhere near amount of games ferguson had.

23 Apr 2024 17:19:56
@dekeyras- fair and balanced points bud.

Id agree with most.

I don't think any of us thought we'd be in a title race by the end of Beale's tenure but still feels extremely bitter we've seemingly thrown away a great chance to win it.

23 Apr 2024 17:27:55
Silva won't be signed.

23 Apr 2024 17:58:28
Paul86, there may or may not be a release clause for JB, BUT, if he says he wants away back down south, we can't stop him and we will be lucky to get double figures for him, imo.

23 apr 2024 18:41:42
i can't have this best defence in the league business

a large percentage of teams don't attack at ibrox, hardly attack at they're own grounds and don't have anything close to the value of talent available to rangers

add in butland, , who has made many great saves when our defence has looked amatuer, i would love to see them all replaced myself but i'm sure that won't occur,

point is we can see its not the best defence, the proof is in the near constant criticism of goldson, soutter, tav, borna, and then there's davies, and even yilmaz, who i'm still nit convinced by but he has had some decent games, but they havnt kept out celtic, benfica even motherwell and aberdeen, so not the best defence fir me, our eyes tell us much more than stats when you take everything, into account, wages, ability etc.

23 Apr 2024 20:33:20
Well its certainly not 5 mill anyway as forest bid 8 mill in jan.

24 Apr 2024 08:17:57
We need a new defence. I don't care what the stats are, that defence isn't good enough.

23 Apr 2024 11:16:04
Anyone seen the video of tom cruise the sniper shooting silva on sunday.

23 Apr 2024 11:26:34
That Portuguese pussy cost me £150 on Sunday, had 5 games over 2.5 goals on, lump of wood.

23 Apr 2024 12:05:47
Laudrup 1972. Yes it’s brilliant 🇦🇺🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

23 Apr 2024 12:26:56
Amazing what 35 million gets you nowadays lol. being honest herd tho i don't think he's worth even 5 million.

23 Apr 2024 14:11:27
wolves got duped.

23 Apr 2024 15:39:08
So did we get duped by the looks of it surely we coulda got a better strioker on loan.

23 Apr 2024 15:45:12
Whoever scouted him for 35 million probably doesn't have a job anymore.

23 apr 2024 19:17:37
some think he "fell".

24 Apr 2024 05:27:47
Paul's correct, no release for butland, club value at 15, this gets thrown up every few days, if there was a clause then it is only actioned if the player wants it, it's like the diomande loan being constantly brought up as well, it's an obligation to buy, yet continual asking about the 2 of them, does ma nut it.