Me and my two sons were pretty quiet driving to the ground yesterday. We all felt nervous and knew that we haven't done well in most of our "must/should win" games so far!! The atmosphere in the ground seemed to mirror our feelings. It was good, but always felt a little nervy!! Rangers set up again as 4-2-3-1 with Barton and Diakite holding and Buzz in the centre of the 3 behind Zamora. As the first half wore on I have to say that if Rangers played the way Swansea do every week, I would seriously think very hard about whether to renew my season ticket or not!! "It's like watching paint dry" was the song that most summed up their display for me. Apparently Britton or Allen has a better pass completion than Xavi.....well so would I if I played in their midfield!! My God!!!! All they do is pass back and square....so dreadfully, mind numbingly boring!! The first half was pretty dour although I felt we did well when we had the ball. Mackie missing a pretty good chance when he shot straight at Vorm. Joey Barton, playing easily his best game for the Rs did well to clear off the line during an early scramble and Swansea always looked dangerous from set pieces, as Sigurdsson's delivery was excellent every time. The last thing we needed was Swansea getting the first goal and us needing to chase the game with them stuffing the ball up their jumper!! However, just as it looked as though we were going to halftime frustrated, up popped Joey Barton to put us ahead. Finally a free kick was given against Swansea, whose back four were wrestling our players all the time, especially Williams on Zamora! Taarabt, who had been guilty of sulking a little at times whilst chasing Swansea's shadows, sent in a good delivery which came out to Barton who, after a good first touch slammed a shot into the bottom corner. We went wild!!! As the 2nd half got under way, I immediately felt better about things as Swansea started to play long balls forward from the off!! Rangers continued to press really well, as they had in the first half and a superb ball into Mackie by Ferdinand resulted in a great turn, body swerve and shot from Jamie. The shot took a lucky deflection into the net and we were two up!! Looking at the game on TV it is clear that Mackie was offside when the ball was played up to him.....at last....a bit of good fortune!! The back four were strong throughout the game, well protected by the two holding players Barton and Diakite. Joey was everywhere and playing really well. Diakite made some great forward runs whilst patrolling in front of the back 4. Rangers were looking the better side as the 2nd half continued and were rewarded with a stunning 3rd goal from Buzz!! A good, incisive ball inside to him from Adel found Akos in a little space 30 yards out. His first touch let the ball run away from him a little, but as he caught up with the bobbling ball, Buzz unleashed an unstoppable blast from outside the area. Game over!! Although Barton nearly made it 4 with a stunning volley from a clever Taarabt corner! All in all a very good performance under pressure against a team who keep the ball for long periods (even if they do little with it most of the time!!). At the end, Joey came over to the R block corner and thumped the badge on his shirt.......at last Joey....you have become an R!!!!! Player ratings and comments: Kenny - 7 Not much to do, but didn't make any mistakes Onuoha - 8 Very solid against the tricky Sinclair and much better going forward this game Ferdinand - 8 Solid as you like Hill - 8.5 Fantastic...again!! Great first half block and 2nd half clearing header over his own bar Taiwo - 7 Solid enough, but maybe not quite so good on the ball as previously Diakite - 8.5 Superb display from the African...gets better and better Barton - 9 MOM. Superb all round display from Joey and a very good goal Mackie - 8.5 Never stopped running and rewarded with a goal after a great turn and run Buzz - 8 Gave the ball away a little but scored another fantastic goal Taarabt - 7 Sulked a little in the first half, but kept possession well and played some intelligent passes. Looks the fittest I've ever seen him Zamora - 7 Worked hard as the lone striker, but gave the ball away too often after working hard to win it Subs: SWP - 7 Did well when he came on Bothroyd - 7 Also did ok Smith - N/A Thoughts?
As good as ever col. I would only add that it looks like we have a good defensive unit again. They seem to be growing stronger every game and trusting each other too.
Good account, Col. It was interesting that after Barton bawled him out, Bothroyd started to look quite effective and made a couple of penetrative runs into the penalty area with the ball. There were reminders of the impressive Cardiff City forward that earned an England call up a few years back. Clearly a chap short of confidence who perhaps should look back to the NPC to get it back?
Nice read Col enjoyed it. Im not sure where you're getting the 4-2-3-1 from though? Id argue its 4-5-1 as the midfield three are always flat meaning we have numbers in the middle unlike last year where we'd get cut open quite regularly. Some of the press have even called it 4-3-3 but that's more to make it sound attacking if anything. Diakite was MOTM for me. The way he glides past players and is just so cool on the ball is brilliant to watch. Barton was visibly emotional at the fans chanting his name and gave a number of clenched fists towards the R block. Also did anyone else see Bothroyd doing the ayatollah in front of the swans fans at the end! Made me laugh anyway...
I thought Taiwo was more solid then Onuoha and I would swap their scores. Apart from that, great read and totally agree with title. Joey is a Ranger! Pity we could not help the goal difference a little more but that is probably greedy on top of a clean sheet win at this stage in the season.
Yet another good'un Col, if slightly muted given your natural passion, the cauldron you were reflecting on and the momentous occasion itself... I can only think you were left overwhelmed by so much good coming together all at once, you've probably blown a gasket mate!! Only thing I must add is a 9 out 10 for gaffer Hughes for finally turning these desperados into a kick-arse unit, all playing for each other and to a game plan resulting in a clean sheet and a serious cutting edge. Over the moon me - with the rest of URRRRssss!!!!
Yeah....I think I'm just trying to keep things in perspective Brix. A lot of twists and turns yet me thinks!!
I often get in discussions on here about the formation mate. Buzz was definitely further forward than Barton and Diakite, although they both took it in turns to make forward runs....especially Diakite. In essence, 4-2-3-1 IS 4-5-1 when we lose the ball and then morphs into any attacking shape that is called for when we have the ball....be it 4-1-3-2 or 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. There's always 5 in front of the back 4 in varying positions with a lone striker.
Great report as ever Col. I thought that it was the best I’d seen Taiwo play, he actually looked like a defender. It was great seeing Routledge knock the ball passed him to chase and being beaten to it. Diakite looks so much more composed than on his debut, perhaps his initial billing as the new Vieira wasn’t so over the top. Jamie Mackie is suddenly looking like a Premier League player and as for Hill, what else is there to say? So the big question, would you put Derry straight back in the team or stick with Buzsaky?
Point taken - and you're probably not wrong (knowing our luck!). Still, I reckon we deserve a little 'us time'... at least until Saturday eh? '...greatest football team the world has ever seen!'
Good to hear that Joey finally came an "R".......Joey Barton represents a player type which one should be played in every team including Barcelona. It has taken little time but maybe better later than ever.
Derry back in, no question Roller. Does the job better including effective passing. What Buz has done is convinced us all he's worth his place when the time comes and is very much part of.
I agree with you 100% (I think!) on formation Col - both that we normally are best in 4 -2 -3-1, and the flexibilty you accurately describe. Very good to hear what you say about Barton! I saw only broken pictures of much of last nights game, so now I'm going to see a recording, but your write up, like Norway's, looks like I saw it - great stuff! URRRRRRRRRRR's
That would be my initial reaction but until Flyer tells us that Col had the formation all wrong let's assume he is right. Buz was playing further forwards with Barton behind. If you bring Derry back in then presumably you push Barton forwards and out of the position that he played well in. An interesting dilemma, and not a bad problem to have.
I agree with that Roller. I'd like to see an unchanged team for once! Also Buz is the better attacking player, and we need to go for 3 points at West Brom.
It's a tough call imo. My instinct is to put Derry in with Diakite and put Barton into Buzz's position...but it's hard to argue that Buzz shouldn't keep his place....except that he may not be so effective away from home!
Thanks Col. We really seem to have turned a corner. We are now playing for each other, A clean sheet as well. Amazed at how often our full backs got forward and gave us options out wide. Diakite looks really promising and hopefully the deal is done to buy him when we stay up. Taiwo looks pacey but still not 100% sure of him yet. Just a niggle in the back of my mind. Adel looks like he actually gives a buck, but there is no doubt that some of his creative flair is lost to his increased work rate. Think we will see the very best of him next year when we may not be scrapping at the bottom of the league. Zamora is so so important to us. His work rate is excellent for a lone stricker. He is not scoring much but his contribution to the team is massive. Credit must also go to MH. It does seem that his methods are finally paying off. The team is working so hard for eachother. That surely must give us all hope.
