13 Oct 2022 10:58:38
Tortured myself by watching the highlights of last night's debacle.
And it wasn't any easier on the eye second time around!
Pre-match, the team selection looked fine.
And the first half performance justified Gio's team line-up.
IF the Arfield chance just before half time goes in? Who knows.
But it's all about the fine margins at this level.
Liverpool second half were a different animal.
2nd goal is failing to mark the man properly on the front post.
3rd goal starts with horrendous distribution from McGregor.
Then it should all be about damage limitation and professional pride taking over.
But individual errors and bad luck take over.
4th goal, break of the ball and McGregor beaten at near post.
5th goal, Davies plays a ball up the line that is intercepted.
6th goal, individual brilliance from Salah even though surrounded by 3 Rangers players.
7th goal? Looked as if we had given up at this point.
With hindsight?
Lundstram, jack and Arfield in a midfield 3 looks perfect on paper. For the SPFL.
Not for this level. Where teams break at speed and precision.
Davies and Goldson work well and complement each other.
Without each other they both tend to be bombscares.
Tav looks as if he is a yard of the pace. Considering his greatest attribute was getting up and down the park all day.
Colak on fire domestically but if he doesn't get the service he unfortunately becomes a passenger.
And Kent has confirmed what most of us know. A one trick pony who now looks as if his mind is elsewhere.
Gio? Well he certainly got it right first half. Second half tactically we were a mess.
Plenty having a go at Tavs Captain responsibility.
We had 3 other senior pros - McGregor, Davis and Arfield - on the park when the embarrassing performance kicked in.
Surely they need to take more responsibility?
It's galling to think we reached the EL Final last year but are getting taught a harsh lesson at CL level.
And yes we all know we are in a difficult group. But we are getting horsed in every match with a visit to Napoli still to come!
Where does this leave Gio and certain players?
Who knows.
But a few need to have a good hard look at themselves.
But this team now need to domestically have a good season.

1.) 13 Oct 2022
13 Oct 2022 11:23:05
No goldson for months. Rapidly running out if centre halfs if only we had given balogun new deal instead of davis.

2.) 13 Oct 2022
13 Oct 2022 11:29:20
Good post MPH, unfortunately with the number of players out injured (and two more last night) we are limited as to who plays, and it looks like some players are taking their position for granted. We play this slow game every week, is it because of fitness levels or just gio's preferred tactics? A bit more honesty from him would be nice, his comment last night " a disappointing result" is an insult after watching him sat motionless in the dugout.

3.) 13 Oct 2022
13 Oct 2022 11:38:39
Terrible to let balogun go. I said weeks ago if 1 more CB gets injured we are done. Well its happened?.

4.) 13 Oct 2022
13 Oct 2022 11:51:53
MPH spot on assessment,
Paul 86 very true
What I’m wanting to see is board, Manager and staff hurting, As Rangers fans supporters are today, That display second half was embarrassing to say the least.
???????????.

5.) 13 Oct 2022
13 Oct 2022 13:03:05
Jking Balogun did not play at weekend as injured after two games.

6.) 13 Oct 2022
13 Oct 2022 18:24:47
Good post Mr PH but Balogun wasn't the answer, he was just another injury prone player signed by a Board that don't seem interested in anything other than money! The fans are hurting, I do wonder if Parks and his cronies, GVB and our assortment of second rate gutless players are!