Holmes_and_Watson

Sort of. If Still thought he was appalling, and his keeper coach agreed, there would have been discussions around Ramsdale going or a replacement. He's previously played far beyond when he should have been taken out of the firing line. I've wondered sometimes if there's a clause where we had to play him certain minutes or we got to reduce our Man City payment installments. That was what it was coming to, watching him pick the ball out the net. SR seem incredibly keen to persevere in thinking they'll get a big return on their Baz investment. About 5 mins after we got him, a procession of better, more experienced, and often cheaper 'keepers started moving clubs. As Gloucester says, there's also other resource and budget issues, that may focus Still's attentions elsewhere. Like everyone, I hope the Scowly one has a great season. But it's a bit more hope than expectation, than I would like. Stephens is a bit different. In summary, amid all the player trading churn, they've got a moderately Shouty squad player of stability who's committed to the club. Rather than a cliquey, want away centre half who will cause problems. His experience will be seen as a way of progressing the application of the younger squad members.

A nice direct goal, for the third. Antman offers some directness that Martin teams cry out for. Good to see options getting up to support him. After the third the pace went out of the game. As we've seen often, momentum can switch and Martin teams can then get caught out at the back and have no plans to get back into it. While 3-0 looked commanding, the Czech's were hopeful of getting something for the second leg. Aaron's chose to fall over when getting caught out. There were a couple of other moments when Rangers were passing it about excessively having already drawn their opponents in. On the plus side, Martin has got the midfield already well drilled to drop and collect. As usual, he hasn't got anyone up front to do that yet. Dessers is his best option, but really should be the 8 doing it. In the few moments of iffy passing, Soutter was smart and strong enough to be mopping up for his side. A special shout for Rothwell. If he could execute all the things you see him trying, he'd be a great addition to lots of sides. But it's Rothwell. In between the good positioning, link up play and awareness you get the mistimed passes, and getting caught in possession. A mid 60 minute sub was a reward for all the good bits of his game, while realising it needed fresher legs. Martin's looking for a lot of roles for Rothwell to play this season, as his new Smallbone. Hopefully the other midfielders look to learn a lot from him. A controlled, well worked lead to take into the second leg. An excellent result so early on in the rebuild. I'm looking forward to seeing RussBall in Europe, where I think it's well suited for his system.

Tough one for Martin. 6 new signings on the pitch. He's trying to get his system across among all the changes for one of the club's most financially important ties of the season. From Saturday, Dessers desperately needed, Cameron gets a deserved start and Aaron switches to the right. Butland showing good range and Antman gets an immediate start. He balances out Gassama on the other flank nicely Where it's going to lead to league frustration, Martin's patient approach kept things calm and controlled. When Martin joined us, I quite liked the pre September fixtures. We were raw, but offered more individuality. We also had JWP and Tella to make that work. This is a little like that. I hope Martin remembers the need for some balance. It's going to give Rangers more variety, and keep more fans on his side. 2-0 is a good reward for the half, where there weren't loads of chances. They just have to stay out of their shells second half for more of the same, to keep or extend that lead.

So, what you're saying is that Trump's uncle worked for a security unit so secret, that they had to fake his death. And as part of his work for that unit, he taught the guy who went onto become the Unabomber. As with Trump's uncle details of the guy's life would have to be changed, such as his education? 🙂

SR Transfer Out XI Ramsdale (loan) Tino Bednarek Salisu Peraud Lavia Romeu Tella JWP/Alcaraz Sule/Redmond TP KWP, Stu and Adams opting for frees

Nonsense. You have been told this on many occasions. I conclude that you are an idiot.

They might be smaller pitch forks and cheaper torches held by fewer people, but they are ours! 🙂

Sorry. I'll call Ty-me on such comments.

They could Ty up a deal shortly.

Yup. Still picks the side. But only from what SR have, and are willing to, give him. Behind the scenes, managers know full well the club expectations, and status of certain players. From players not starting because the club wants them fit for an upcoming transfer to being told that they expect certain players to be massively valuable in the future.

Yeah. If Baz keeps his form, he'll play. If he doesn't, he'll need competition. But that doesn't seem to be McCarthy. Despite the last time we played McCarthy resulted in a noticeable improvement over Baz. The numbers may also indicate how much we're willing to pay. So, SR might want a third choice keepers wages, despite him automatically being considered as better than our second choice, and needing to compete as first choice. 🙂

No, he certainly doesn't. "I've not seen any calamities since I joined, but he's statistically the worst keeper in his last 2 Saints seasons. The club seem incredibly, obsessively, keen to start with him, but I'm hoping the guy we bring in as third choice, will be a.miracle worker. It's a specialist role, but I no longer trust my 'keeper coach telling me, we'll be fine with Baz."

Thank you gio, for starting off our Scar Tissue Support Group.

It was pointless to discuss it. 🙂

Not sure how many posts would stand up to the pointlessness test. 🙂 Martin's distinctive approach is interesting to watch. Partly purely on footballing terms. But also to see the contrasts of how he does it at other clubs, to how it turned out here. Pep has got in an assistant to make changes to his approach. Will, or can, Martin make adjustments? Can he make it work with different personnel? and on a tight budget, with big expectations? Rangers will probably be on Sky a fair bit, making it easier to follow.

"Cashloul" at the time of his dumping Ipswich 🙂 But yeah, it's his career and he went where he'd be better paid for the same work.

Can't speak for others, but I'm interested to see how his system develops, assuming he gets the time, and call things as I see them. I can see the attractions to him of going there, but it brings a number of pressing challenges, he'd not have got at some other clubs. Following his comments, the player reaction in an important European match is going to also be interesting. They are going to have to buy into how he wants things done, for it to work.

The actual footballing bit, just loses it's importance with such great SR news as this. I guess it's just there to showcase our next couple of talents, before they are sold next summer.

My post started optimistically, but took a took a turn for the worst as I typed. 🙂

Life's too short Mr Dyson. Suck it up, and move on.

The way I read the quotes was simply that we can get in players for 3 positions they've identified as key, without having to sell. Players could be sold, as deals arose, but they weren't necessary. They got in 2 of the 3 and, as you said, I think the 3rd turned us down. At least this time, SR have got plenty of time to get someone else, and don't have egg on their face. If they get their first choice later on, then fine. But they should know not to hang around until the last week.

Oh, Jordan the country is the custodian of the site. I thought Katie Price had been drafted in to solve issues in the Middle East.

I'm sure I saw you comment on the mods not taking action, just in time for most of this page to vanish for some reason. 🙂 It would be odd for a whole new set of people to repeat the same recruitment errors as their predecessors. But they are working under similar SR principles. Player trading ticks a season on season goal for them, and selling Fernandes and certainly Dibling achieves that. It's then down to the quality of the new crop of players to come in for future sales. Baz - Saga - Edwards - Quarshie (THB) - Welington Charles - Downes AA - Aribo - Edozie (Robinson) Stewart (Downs) With Aribo and Edozie very possibly gone too, it really does have gaps.

I first thought I'd made a typo there. 🙂 It seems ridiculous after a match. But with so many I portant European games, so early, for CL progression, he has to hit the ground running. As for the league, there could be plenty of twists and turns. Celtic have by far the better players, and every dropped points is seen as a crisis. Fuelled by the media too. Think La Marca with shortbread.

It took them until 87 minutes, but Celtic got a winner against St. Mirren. Martin no doubt hoping to be remain on equal points with them. Even had St Mirren (quite changed with some strong, smart recruits) held on, the reasons would have been quite different. Celtic hit the bar, and the post twice. They didn't just dominate the possession (76% to Rangers 65%), they dominated the game. Rangers managed 1 more shot in their game, but it was Motherwell who nearly got the points. While St Mirren had a couple of half chances, Celtic were the team hammering for a win. That's what Old Firm fans, or any fans of clear favourites, expect to see. A big game already for Martin on Tuesday, as the club need as many Euro-pennies as they can get, in their long chase to get closer to Celtic.