Sitting at the bar here and pondering the last three hours of utter madness, I can't help but thinking that we've done pretty well. For the first time in two years I don't feel like we've pressed the panic button. For me, it's as much about the players we haven't let go as the players we've signed. Keeping hold of Hoillett was IMO the key. He's our ace in the pack. Throw Philips and Kranjar in and all of a sudden we have a potent attacking force. Akotto is a shrew buy and along with Simpson will give us the best attacking full backs in the league. IMO it all adds up to a very positive attacking team. I still think we need another defender and centre forward but Harry has probably forgotten more about football than the majority of us will ever know. I'm sure he knows exactly what needs to be done. I'm currently very positive about this year and think we have a very strong squad. No excuses.
Happy days aye Nutso? Keeping Hoilett and Barton was key today, even more than whoever we brought in. At least that is how I viewed it when I got up this morning. We've been lacking creativity which has been adressed with the signings of Kranjcar and Carroll, and by keeping Hoilett. Bit worried about Kranjcar' lack of games the last year, not completing the full 90 minutes since September 2012. But he could be our joker. All our dealings have been loans or short contracts for experienced players with one goal in sight, promotion to the cash cow. Harry has built a solid squad and done well in shipping out a load of bad apples. Lets hope Barton keep his head well and truly screwed on for the entire 46 game season. If our strikers keep going until January then I beleive we'll be in a sound position and can strenghten for the run in.
Yea. I'm quietly impressed with our transfer policy this summer. I keep saying that a mix of youth and experience us required. I don't fear anyone this year with that squad. Plenty of games to give everybody a decent run.
It is **** or get off the pot for Harry if you'll excuse the expression. That squad will be feared by every team in this league. Other teams will also raise their game against us and we really will be seen as the big scalp to get for them all.
I think harry has bought in quality, I would have liked akkoto at ffc, we need a right back. krankaer is a good player, if I was a rangers fan. I would be delighted with the squad he has, could do with another striker, glad a.j never went. in this division where is rangers weakness? cant see one, maybe not enough goals scored so far, defence is very good, midfield is premier class, strike force is pretty good, believe it or not I believe this team would stay up in the prem. if rangers keep there players fit, and barton does not do a barton, there is no reason why this squad does not win this league with ease i.m.o, this division does not have any quality squads in it, apart from rangers
This division is about attitude/guts/determination/effort. No mystery here. Harry has IMO assembled a solid squad with a great mix of all the essentials. No excuses.
That's also a quality post my friend. We have a very strong core of players throughout the spine of the team. Green, Onouha, Dunne, Barton, Henry, Carroll, O'Neil, Kranjcar, Austin and AJ. This core will now enable us to retain the ball, dominate possession and play more attacking football. Modern football tacticians claim that the key to winning football matches is a dominant revolving trio in midfield, and two full-backs that can get up and down the flanks all game long. We now have this capacity. ( Watch any of the top teams and notice how they use this system with great effect. ) I won't elaborate any further as this post may become too confusing. All shall become evident in the next few matches. We shall not need to fear anyone in this division. I really do think we have our Rangers back.
I will have to disagree with you there Fin. So far this season we have played away from home against a couple of strong teams. But they have set up and played like the away side. So far this has played into our hands. Bolton and Leeds tried to nick a point with their negativity. Huddersfield we're very fortunate to not have three or four put past them. Other sides are scared of us. An adventurous one may undo us though. But there's not many of them.
The French window remains ouvert for a couple more days; not sure if this means that Barton could still go technically, although very little likelihood of Marseilles coming up with the money needed. He could still be loaned??!!
Agree with nuts, especially about those we have kept as well as the new signings. Keeping Barton and AJ feels like new signings - almost. The pressure is def. on now. No 'under the radar' grinding out ugly wins etc. We will be on Sky lots I am sure and the media and, of course, the fans, will be expecting winning performances. Happy days I suspect.
You're spot on with your description of the modern tactics mate. High full backs and 3 central midfielders (usually 2 holding and one attacking is the norm). However, Harry loves his 4-4-2 with 2 wingers. Of course 2 wide men can also be played in a 4-2-3-1........................ Bloody hell nines...............you've started me off now!!
One more quality striker and Harry's done as good as he could have done I feel. I mean on paper our squad looks the bollocks in this league ! ,,,, just hope they all click ... Come on u rrrrrrs
Excellent posts in this thread. We are looking like a squad that will go up, no worries, apart from another striker would have completed a perfect window. But as said, we can still loan one. Maybe Harry has one in mind and was waiting to do some more business in the next week when all thoughts are on the WC qualifiers. Happy days!
Pretty sure this will be the plan. ,, blow my mind with Defoe pls ,, wishful thinking but you never know .... Who would be the most likely to come on lone up front that's decent ?
