coalman

Still unbeaten in the league. That's one hell of a start.

Fully expecting Slothwell to be on soon for Rangers and for them to surrender midfield. That being said - Celtic deserve nothing from this match.

Rodgers teams are always shit after 2 seasons.

I think the players are letting emotion take over and ignoring instructions. Just like the playoff final.

Martin responds by turning round and flicking his hair angrily.

Scottish commentator "we're talking fractions here" with the graphic showing the player entirely ahead of the defender.

VAR rules it out for off side. Still no shots and no goals.

Saying that.... Rangers 1-0 up. The dream is on.

Heady stuff. 30 minutes in.

To be fair... if you've hired the guy you can't really sack him before the end of August. That being said you have to question your hiring process at some point. Much in the way we've despaired at our own over the last few years.

Martin doesn't do what he says though. If he walked the talk he's giving out it would be a different matter. He boasts about how his teams run harder than anyone else. He boasts about playing dominant front foot football. He tells us it's our fault that we don't understand football or we'd see his style was working. I'm going to trust the person that does what they say they are going to do. I trust the person that respects my opinion rather than discounting it. I trust the person that can admit they are wrong and learns from their mistakes.

No Rothwell or Arrons in the 11 but, also, Raskin not even on the bench.

Strongly held beliefs are at the heart of everything that is messed up with our planet. See: religion, politics. The world is full of aggressively stupid people who don't question their own beliefs. Having conviction is only admirable up to a point. What's truly admirable, however, is when someone is able to question their own beliefs and learn. As someone I worked with used to describe it "strong beliefs, loosely held". That being said, after I do reserve the right to indulge in a spot of Schadenfreude. For example I defy anyone to not enjoy this video of a man with strongly held convictions receiving some karma.

That sounds suspiciously like a point to me 😉

There was a lot more positive and cohesive attacking play than our first couple of games. Though we totally switched off after they made their subs and started giving the ball away. I'm both relieved and disappointed with a draw.

Manning makes amends!

Our passing has got sloppy.

Azaz nearly puts Archer through. He seems to be really good at finding pockets of space.

Fraser has really competed well in the middle of the park. Has been really aggressive in the tackle. Robinson struggling to make an impact. Overall our attacking play is looking more and more cohesive.

I'd heard we were touting him around for a loan out.

Get in. Archer

At the same time we'll have one fewer midfielder getting caught out trying to play Russball.

I'm quite excited about today's game. Even if our new signings aren't available or don't go straight in it gives everyone a lift. And, at the very least, some players know they're going to have to raise their games if they want to stay in the squad.

I also find watching Martin's sides far more pleasing than when he was managing Saints. It's a guilty pleasure like watching Big Brother where you know you shouldn't but find yourself drawn in.

Last season I was really excited about Ramsdale who didn't live up to his billing albeit in a self inflicted shooting gallery. Fernandes was a gem and nobody else improved the first team. Downes and THB were already here and went backwards. This season we've bought in Azaz, Fellows, Jander and Roerslav who, on the face of it, are better than what we've got. Plus Downs and Quarshie who will hopefully grow into it. It's a players ready now and some with potential versus speculation and squad filler. It's going to take us a while to rid ourselves of the filler but it's a really positive step forwards. Would love to see a really good striker but we say that every window.