What a massive win that was, with Chelsea and City up next, we simply HAD to take 3 points last night and we did. I was very surprised to see all three of Vargas, Oh Bobby and Charlie in the starting line-up and more than a little concerned that the 4-4-2 with Fer on the left and Vargas on the right was going to be very open. Open it was with Villa having the ball for nearly all of the opening 20 minutes. The Rangers players looked very nervous, clearly aware of how important this game was. They constantly gave the ball away, although the fact that Villa had the extra man in midfield made it very hard for the players. They must have felt as if there was nothing but claret and blue every time they lifted their heads to find a pass. Charlie's first, completely against the run of play was a beauty!! After a superb chest down from Oh Bobby Zamora, Austin finished with aplomb with the outside of his right foot. The goal gave Rangers a huge lift, but they still struggled to find each other for the rest of the half, mainly due to the formation in midfield. Dunne was having a magnificent game at the back, whilst the energy of Yun, Isla and Vargas was making a big difference compared to the lack of effort a few weeks ago. The 2nd half began in the same vain, with Villa dominating possession but being terrible with it in the final third. This all changed around 65 minutes when the tiring OBZ was replaced by Hoilett. Fer moved into the middle with Henry and Sandro, with Hoilett taking up his position on the left. Immediately the passing from Rangers improved as the extra man in midfield started to pay off. And this is the trade off that I refer to in the OP title. If you want Rangers to keep the ball better, then they almost certainly have to sacrifice playing two up front or at the very least, they can't play Fer on the left. He isn't a wide man and he hasn't got the work rate to work up and down in the way that Vargas did superbly. As soon as Fer was moved into the centre he started to play better, as did the whole team. Of course the damage had already been done by starting with 4-4-2 so there is an argument for both. The other alternative is to play with 3 CBs again, but I'm not sure I'd want that. Certainly Austin benefits from having OBZ up there with him, but maybe he'd still be ok with Vargas up there, with Austin being the main target man. At home against the sides outside the top 6 I'd like to see the ever improving Isla at RB with Vargas in front of him. I'd start Hoilett on the left and bring in Barton for Henry. As good as Dunne was, I'd pair Ned with Caulker at CB. Hoilett saw a brilliant, curling effort strike the post with the keeper floundering, just a couple of minutes after coming on. Anyway, the 2nd goal put the game to bed, with Vargas tearing away down the wing before sending in a near post cross that Austin converted brilliantly. I was starting to wonder if Charlie could do it at this level. He can!! Give him the service and he'll score goals, as will Vargas. The little Chilean deserved a goal and he nearly got it, getting on the end of a fantastic passing move, culminating in a great through ball from the impressive Hoilett. Unfortunately Vargas couldn't quite get the ball passed the keeper after a wonderful first touch. A massive 3 points against a terrible Villa!! Dunne was my MOTM. He didn't put a foot wrong, winning headers and putting in blocks and interceptions. Yun, Isla and Vargas gave much needed energy and Zamora was a handful till he tired. Sandro made a wonderful last ditch tackle to deny a certain goal after Green had saved well from Cleverley's volley. Sandro lay on the turf as Green collected the ball and punched his fists in the air as if he'd scored a goal! Brilliant stuff.....more of that please. I have said that Harry will take us down if he doesn't change his thinking on selections etc. Well it looks like maybe he has. Yun is playing; Rio is dropped; Vargas started and Hoilett came on ahead of the disappointing Phillips. Maybe our Harry has turned a corner. Time will tell!! Player ratings and comments Green - 7 - A couple of suspect kicks, but made some very good saves too. Isla - 7 - Improving with every game. Bags of energy and great going forward. Much better defensively by the 2nd half. Dunne - 9 - Totally immense. Villa played into his hands by going long to Benteke a lot, but Dunne did everything superbly. Caulker - 7 - Reliable and solid. Still learning imo. Yun - 8 - Like Isla, he has bags of energy and tackles like a terrier. I really like him. A good all round footballer. Henry - 7 - Another solid display, protecting the back four. Sandro - 7 - Poor in the first half, but improved a lot in the 2nd and made that wonderful goal saving tackle. Fer - 6 - Shouldn't be played out wide. He doesn't work hard enough in that position and Yun often had two players to deal with because of Fer's unwillingness to track back. Much better when moved inside. Vargas - 8 - Full of running and energy. Quick and good on the ball. Links well with Isla. Great run and cross for Charlie's 2nd goal. Oh BZ - 7 - Not as effective as in the Liverpool game, but made Charlie's first and worked very hard. Austin - 8 - Worked tirelessly and stuck away two great finishes. Subs: Hoilett - 8 - Unlucky not to score with a superb effort and put one on a plate for Vargas. Always attacked with pace. Should start imo. Traore - 6 - Worked hard in the little time he had. Kranjcar - N/A. Last minute sub. Thoughts?
I'd go with most of that, Yun my mom, just wished we'd pass better, I would score all players down one point, Dunne and Fer 2 points less, happy with the 3 points, Villa woeful
Can't fault the report, Col, and agree Hoilett's done enough to start - he looks sharper than I can remember since he came to us from Blackburn. It would be interesting to know how much of the new look team is down to Hoddle's influence. Does seem to be positive on the "two heads are better than one" principle. Still don't know where Sir Les fits in
Very good analysis, Col. I also think that Yun was the MOM. It really is a dilemma (the trade off) because OBZ, Charlie AND Vargas are all potential match winners and really should start. The question of who should start and what formation we should use, at present, is more difficult than a quadratic equation for a Scum supporter.
I agree, although if Ned is fit we may need his pace. I know a lot of people feel that we should go all gung ho at Chelsea, but if we line up with a wide open 4-4-2 at the Bridge I fear our goal difference will get a further battering.
I do not envy our management at the moment. Like Col, I think we have a real conundrum. Thankfully, of the right kind! Firstly, we must find room for Vargas. The man has more natural ability than I have seen in a Rangers player for a long time. Ideally this would be in a more forward position as I believe we waste a fair amount of his skill if we keep playing him wide. However, it's not that simple. How, at the moment do you leave Bobby or Charlie out? Therefore, Vargas must play behind these two. Hold on. What does this do our balance? We can't play 4-3-1-2. We don't have the players for the three & it could be too strung out. To have any width the central man will become isolated. Can we offset this with a compact three with Isla & Yun providing the width going forward playing as full backs? Do we resort to a back three so that these two can play as wing backs with a central twosome in a 3-4-1-2? This can only be a possibility when Ned is available again. I have no idea of the answer. I just know that we must play our three best footballers - Isla, Yun & Vargas. Thankfully they all work for every minute of the game as well as providing so much skill. As I said, I don't envy the management for having to make these decisions! Going back to yesterday. At half time, our combined feeling were that we were lucky to be in front. There was no way that we would keep a clean sheet. That we had virtually carried Sandro & Fer. Also, that Sanchez was the outstanding player on the pitch. Well, we did keep that clean sheet due to Rob Green & the most incredible half block by Sandro that I think I have seen. Rightly, he reacted as if he had just scored a winning goal. He also never shirked when things wern't going right for him & never dropped below 100% effort at any time. Leroy Fer improved completely when he was moved to his proper position, playing behind Charlie Austin. Don't ask him to defend in our own half too much (great block from him just before half time though) but he closed down from this role with good effect. I thought our back six were very good. Rob Green had his best match for us. Better than at Wembley. I base this on three situations & none of these are the saves that he made with the aid of Sandro. In the first half Villa played a ball into the area with height & pace that looked dangerous. For one of the first times for us, Rob left his line & attacked the ball with a good fist. His collection of the ball diving forward when it looked as id Ricardo may convert another og was also good. However, the decisive moment for me & confirmed that he was in control, was when he came to the edge of his area & caught the ball before Benteki could reach the through ball. That was goalkeeping & decision making at it's best. Then we have the blocks from Dunne & Caulker. Superb. The infectious enthusiasm of Isla & Yun. Karl Henry (am I really writing this?) holding that centre as if his life depended on it. The industry & skill of Vargas, Zamora giving his all & the finishing of Austin. Junior did quite well to! This should be a good enough side to comfortably avoid relegation providing they continue to give us that amount of endeavour.
Very fair assessment Col. Personally I think Yun was the MOTM, with Austin & Dunne also strong contenders. I saw much the same as you regarding Fer's effectiveness when out wide. Improved as the game went on but doesn't seem to be as creative as we need going forward. Nico to replace Fer as soon as he is fit, or dare I suggest he who shall not be named to provide a possible creative spark assuming of course that he can improve his fitness and fight for a place in the side. Great result and looking forward to Chelski now as with the right attitude I honestly believe we can get something from the game.
Good report mate and i'll agree with most of it. I thought an outside MOM may have been Caulker. Loked comfortable and classy in possesion and rarely troubled. My only concern is do we bring Ned in for Dunne. Dunne was clearly one of our top players but Im not sure we are going to get another whole season out of him. The way he defended he certainly deserves his place but do we sacrifie the short term gains we're getting from him and put Ned in for the long haul? I dont really want to see a new CB at New years TBH. yun, answered all the questions, as did Charlie and vargas. Still not convinced by Fer as he was missing in the first half, but did improve later. Hoilets strike on the bar remended me of "you know who" a few years back. Dont think Henry & Sandrotogether is the answer tbh and maybe mutch could be the missing link? Anyway, a great determined performance and although it wasnt such a great spectacle, had Vargas' gone in for the 3rd then that would have been goal of the week. Nothing to lose in out next couple of games and if we get a poin I'll be happy. if not i wont worry Only thing is, Im not sure where this leaves Harry in terms of getting the sack or not. He's surley safe until after City now as no-one expects us 2 beat them. 2 decent performances and I reckon he's here for the season ? Not entirely sure how i feel about that right now !
I think Barton will come in for Henry when he's fit. However, having two holding midfield players has shorn up the defence somewhat. Harry has bought himself more time and he may well have till Xmas now at least.
Totally agree mate, i just couldnt bring myself to say that Joey would do a beter job in CM I did actually type it then delete it. Agre about Harry too
Good stuff Col. Agree with everything you said except Vargas was my MOTM. His energy was superb. I'd also like to see Ned and Caulker as our first choice CB pairing with Dunne coming in as required to cover injuries, suspensions etc etc. Barton is a bit of a conundrum at the moment. I really like the two DCMs as it gives our CBs great protection but that will only work if our FBs and wingers give us creativity. What about Barton on the right?
Henry to stay in for me, does the simple things well and is disciplined to stay where he's meant to be. Thought he was excellent on Monday.
That's a superb post Terry. You've picked out some great observations there. Good report Col, I had Dunne as my MOTM too. Rather worryingly, I left Charlie out of my starting Xl on the match day thread.
Thanks Col. Charlie MOM for me, his goals came out of nowhere and won it for us, Green saved it. The game was mostly of a standard well below PL and almost sent me to sleep, we were set up like it was next Saturday's little game not home to a sinking Villa. But fair enough where we are.
I don't agree that we were set up as if it was Chelsea away mate. Our set up was incredibly open, with Fer and Vargas out wide. I really fear for us if we set up like that on Saturday.
Both Sandro and Henry played too deep at times giving villa time and space ... A different combo would allow the two up top I think you saw a unit overreacting at being tight and compact ... Getting used to it inviting villa on to them but we were better and steadfast As soon as you said the change happened then a different game and we looked even I say take off a Defensive midfielder Waited for our chances and on this day took them ... Well two of them I expect the same again but if we do t offer any threat going forward then Chelsea and City should pick us off plus they both have a different set of gears compared to Villa Zamora and Austin have to stop their back players playing or it will be a very big two steps back IMO
Nice one Col. It is difficult to actually judge performances when watching on TV as you do not see a lot of the players movement off the ball. I thought we looked a far better side once Hoilett came on for OBZ with Fer moving into the central midfield role, he looked off the pace playing out wide. I would start with that line up at Chelsea on Saturday as OBZ will not get a lot of joy from Terry/Cahill, whereas Vargas could cause them some problems coming in from the right side. Anyway a good result and a decent performance, but off course it is a bit double edged as it means that Harold is secure in his job for longer as he is in a win - win situation for the next 2 games as no one expects us to get anything from Chelsea & City, mind I'm sure my eyes didn't deceive me as I saw Harold on the touchline Monday actually doing tactics....... Onwards and upwards....
Henry is in great form, cant be dropped yet. Green played like a man possessed. Dunne was excellent, but you made him your MOTM and called for him to be replaced with Ned? Good win and Happy.
