01 Aug 2026 09:22:16
Rangers vs Dundee United, my tuppence worth.
We struggled to control the match rhythm due to systematic flaws in the press and a lack of midfield connection.
1. Flawed First-Phase Pressing.
Passive front line: The initial pressing line failed to lock down passing lanes or apply immediate pressure. This meant Dundee United defenders received unnecessary time and space to look up and easily bypass the midfield, where oir pressing was effective.
2. Defensive Exposure and Stretched Play
Exploiting space: Dundee United's attackers constantly made runs beyond our defensive line and our defence was forced to drop deep to cover the space behind, creating massive gaps between the lines. The game quickly became stretched, transitions intensified, and we lost structural control.
3. Midfield Disconnect and Long-Ball Mirroring
Our midfield lacked a technical player comfortable receiving under pressure to link defence and attack. As a result we could not sustain possession or construct clean, progressive passing sequences through the center of the pitch. Out of options, we resorted to mirroring Dundee United, abandoning the midfield and launching direct long balls. Which played in to their hands.
01 Aug 2026 11:26:29
Only time we've played well was under a MB coached team. Can't figure why we sacked him when he had the highest win rate of any manager ever, neither can you.
Can we admit some fans are suffering from David Murray syndrome, it's holding us back, expectations far too high every season far too quickly, repeat the cycle.
01 Aug 2026 10:50:11
Excellent analysis, Ehl
If we keep playing Gassama and Diomande, we will win nothing imo.
Despite the plaudits for Aasgaard, I'm still not a fan, as u described, Ehl, first line of defence is our front line, and it's way too easy to play out against us.
01 Aug 2026 11:03:20
I think Neil took the ball in tight situations but otherwise I agree.
Other than being able to piroute on the ball a hundred times a game, Diomande offers no real threat in their box and no real defensive nous (which at least you will get with Devlin).
Gassama worked really hard but ultimately isn't good enough.
Aasgaard has real talent and will mature - worth sticking with but too unreliable at present and we need more consistency for him to be our set piece guy at present.
Chermiti - cash in if we can. Will score some wonder goals in his career but between the ears I am not sure about him at all.
Thought McCrorie offered more at RB than Sterling, who I agree with previous comments, suddenly becomes Pele when he's injured or has one good game - much like Hagi.
New guys I was fine with. Which was nice!
01 Aug 2026 11:12:47
So Hoofball 👀 then Ehl.
01 Aug 2026 11:15:42
Sit Shankland as a 10 in midfield and play Naderi and Chermiti up top, and let's go with McInnes Hoofball plan B. 🤣 But in all seriousness, we have no balling playing midfielders that have a killer pass to unlock defences.
Will he be getting the backing from the board he is asking for, because quality costs money in today's game, plus not sure with the current players being brought in by the recruitment team. 🤷🏼♂️ Time will tell.
01 Aug 2026 11:16:41
So no press and no guile in midfield. 👍 I said last week it's the same old broken record. As soon as I saw the line up, it was a no from me.
Anyway, now waiting on the loans appearing.
01 Aug 2026 11:25:29
We won't do anything of note until we sign wingers that can get at opposition full backs and create chances for our strikers. 🤔 I mean, tried and tested game changing wingers like Cerny, Ghedjemis etc, not project wingers. 🤔
01 Aug 2026 11:27:15
We need to stop bringing in 8, 10, or even 12 new players pre season. Reduce the number and focus on the quality of the player we bring in. We need to stop changing managers and staff to bring consistency to the team and the club as a whole.
01 Aug 2026 11:32:16
😭😭😭 Hello Verdant.
01 Aug 2026 11:40:58
I agree that Neil added a little something to the midfield in the second half, and was instrumental in the 15 minute period where we were "dominant" - however once we scored, United adjusted and sat in a deeper block and their midfield shielded their defence and mopped up every second ball.
When this happened, we could see that Neil ran out of ideas, and we really needed a bit of creativity sitting ahead of him.
All that aside, I think we win the game pretty comfortably if Fernandez and Sterling stay switched for the goal.
01 Aug 2026 11:31:44
Looks like the Lundstram loving Raskin hating Beale loving Murray syndrome poster is back.
01 Aug 2026 11:54:25
Fernandez blaming Aasgaard for the goal was very poor and made me question him more.
01 Aug 2026 12:02:12
Big Dado, the Beale fella has made a return. 😂
01 Aug 2026 12:04:01
Has Michael Beales burner account been reactivated?
01 Aug 2026 12:13:13
EHL - bang on with point 3.
I'm hoping the Serbian lad will be the difference. I've not seen him play so I'm hoping he's not another 6.
We need an 8 that can take the ball under pressure. And retain possession and get us up the park without having to go long.
I thought I saw quite a few similarities between United last night and Motherwell last season. I think Goodwin has been studying Berthel Askou. 🤔
01 Aug 2026 12:42:58
Zikos, he's a great passer of the ball, mate. He likes to ping balls all over the park.
01 Aug 2026 12:47:15
I genuinely forgot Neil was playing apart from his booking.