Havent been on here much recently due to lack of time, although it seems to have coincided with our better spell this season! THE GAME Thats more like the rangers we want to see, and the rangers who know we should be. Working hard as a team with lots of energy. We began very well right on the front foot and had a couple of chances from the off with Cisse going close and Mackie should have scored. First half we barely let them have a look in and our workrate was brilliant - closing down all the time and supporting each other. Second half was exactly the same, but this time we had a lucky break with the first goal - something I think we all thought we needed to get us going. A bit of luck for a change! Taarabt was at his brilliant best and the second goal was sublime. In total control I think we all knew Fulham were going to nick a late one as it wouldnt be rangers otherwise - and they duly did - setting up a nervy final few minutes. Thankfully we came through, but it was fully deserved - much the better side for 88 minutes - and relief all round LR - at last three vital points. THE RATINGS GREEN - 8 - not an awful lot to do but came out and claimed crosses when needed and made one great claim in the first half with an attacker at the back post waiting for the tap in. TRAORE - 7 - solid throughout and got forwards well with some decent crosses - almost set cisse up for his header at the end. could have closed duff down a bit more at times though. NELSEN - 8 - marshalled the defence well and won most of the headers IIRC. positioned well throughout which enabled him to keep up with the pace of roddallega. HILL - 8 - same as nelsen - positional sense brilliant and was rarely beaten. ONUOHA - 7 - few dodgy moments but nothing resulted in attacks on our goal but supported mackie well. M'BIA - 8 - full of energy in the midfield and always there to tackle, block and close down - vital role in the game. FAURLIN - 7 - much the same and always there to receive the ball. few poor passes that gave it away cheaply but other than that performed well. SWP - 8 - barring his debut his best performance in a rangers shirt - playing on the left IIRC was always a threat and took his man on many times. looks full of confidence and caused problems. worked very hard. MACKIE - 7 - disappeared from the game a bit at times but his energy always rubs off on the others and never gave up as always. TAARABT - 9 - MOM - always available to receive the ball and used some clever skills and movement to create space and chances. was at the centre of everything good about our play and worked so hard as he has done recently. superb second that i initially thought the keeper had made a mistake as it rolled in so easily. free kicks were poor though. CISSE - 7 - missed a few decent opportunities but worked hard and made two great runs to help take defenders away for the goals as neville pointed out on MNF tonight. FINAL WORD Well i think we can all see HR has had a massive impact not only on the team as a whole but also certain individuals. SWP looks a different player, Taarabt was in his free role again, and as a team we are working together. It is simple stuff, but so so crucial. I think Hughes was over complicating things and no-one knew their jobs. Now everyone looks organised and it is great to watch. However, Fulham were nothing special at all and barely threatened - both down to the way we played, but also being poor. Now we need to capitalise on our confidence and string some results together - Newcastle, West Brom and Liverpool are all winable as all three are not in great form.
Nice one Judo. It's good to see you write up a winning performance for a change. I can't disagree with any of your comments. The three points were the most important thing, but it was great to see us playing as a team again. It's been a while. Let's hope that Harry can carry the momentum into the three games you mentioned. It would be nice to see a good home performance repeated in the following away game. Something we never ever got to see under Sparkless's reign.
Good read, cheers. Strongly agree with 8 for Green. Really good to see an International actually playing like one. The save in the first half - cat like reflexes to snatch the ball to safety from what would otherwise have been a certain goal - was real quality and a great confidence builder. Mackie would have rocketed from 7 to 9 had he put away his relatively easy chance! perhaps next time.
Cheers guys, good to hear my report is well received, or even if people disagree at times. It certainly helps me to move on from games by writing a report.
