Just a quickie (Swords will be pleased), as I have a bit to do today. It was all about Stan the man yesterday and what a wonderful reception the great man got. It was a shame a few more people couldn't have made the effort to get into their seats just 10 minutes earlier, as there were quite a lot of empty seats as Stan was introduced. Still, he got a fantastic ovation, including from the Rotherham fans, and the cries of "Stanley........Stanley........" from all around the ground certainly brought a lump to my throat. The result was a fitting tribute to Stan and I wish him all the luck in the World with his illness. As for the game............................well Ramsey certainly seems to be trying to get us to play good football. I like the 4-2-3-1 formation with the three players behind the forward all interchanging positions in a very fluid way. It's all very reminiscent of the Warnock side, which also had Faurlin at the base alongside a minder. Apart from a strange 5 minutes where he got caught in possession twice, one leading to Rotherham's first goal, Faurlin was superb, although I'm not sure whether he is quite as strong in the tackle as he once was (understandable). Rangers played some good football once they had weathered the initial long ball onslaught and time wasting from their opponents. Luongo and Chery, in particular looked very good, with the latter finishing off two very good passing moves, both involving Austin in the build up. As for Austin, he played too deep at times, although it was good to see him playing as a target man and linking up the play well at times. Unfortunately I didn't like Charlie's demeaner as he seemed to be trying too hard to show everyone that there's more to his game than goals, although he did shoot on sight at every opportunity. He was busy throwing his arms up in the air a lot and there was too much show-boating for my liking. It looked like he felt he is too good for us now, although I may be totally wrong with that observation. Watch how he reacts after his very good flick-on to Luongo in the build up to our second goal. He just stops dead after his flick, as if to say, "look how good that was". As I say, I may be wrong. He scored two, so that's fair enough, although his first was down to awful goal keeping. However, if we keep Austin, we'll have the best centre forward in the division by a long way and he'll score for fun at this lower level. Rangers' usual defensive frailties surfaced yet again and we nearly managed to let a 3 goal lead slip before that late penalty. All in all though, things look to be moving in the right direction and Ramsey deserves credit for that. A lot of slick, quick passing was a delight to see after all the dross of recent years. Player ratings and comments: Green - 7 - Better distribution as he threw the ball out more than I can ever remember him doing before. A good save at his near post following a deflection. Perch - 6 - Looks a bit of a liability at times, but defensively his experience comes in handy. A good forward run and cross for the 1st goal. Hall - 7 - I like the look of him and he won many, many headers. Onuoha - 8 - Another Captain's performance from Ned as he continues to impress. Strong, solid and covered well with his pace. Konchesky - 7 - A solid left back who tried to get forward when he could. I like him and he'll always give 100%. Faurlin - 7 - Superb at times, but still looks a little fragile which is very understandable. Substituted after a dodgy 5 minutes, but he is a vital cog in our system imo. Henry - 7 - Much better than he was against Cardiff and made a lot of timely tackles and interceptions. Played a couple of good passes too as Rangers knocked it around. Phillips - 6 - Pulled out of a couple of challenges in the first half and if he continues to do that, he will eventually get hurt! Tried to attack with purpose and hit one stinging drive in the 2nd half. Luongo - 8 - An intelligent looking player who got involved in a lot of the good passing moves. Made the 2nd goal with a great run and cross. Chery - 8 - Two good finishes and involved in a lot of good link up play. Destined to become a huge favourite imo. Austin - 8 - Has to get an 8 after scoring two and helping to set up the other two. Clearly a class act at this level, but I suspect he'll be gone by September. Subs: Doughty - 6 - Brought on to replace Faurlin after the Argentinian's dodgy 5 minutes and looked solid and assured. Polter - 6 - A rather strange substitution, as we were 3-1 up and Ramsey changed it to 4-4-2, replacing Luongo with the German. He put himself about and made a good run to win the penalty. Tried to grab the ball to take the spot kick, but he was never getting it off Charlie! Kpekawa - N/A - A late replacement for the tiring Chery and didn't really get a touch. I like the look of the way we are trying to play and I feel there may be a lot of entertaining games on offer this season.
Good skills as usual Alan Bennett will currently be thinking how we can make five words in twenty one
Cheers Col again didn't see game or highlights so look forward to your concise analysis. Faurlin - 7 - Superb at times, but still looks a little fragile which is very understandable. Substituted after a dodgy 5 minutes, but he is a vital cog in our system imo. That's what we have been missing in the last 3 years lets hope he stays healthy. One other thing I would like to add that is unrelated to your piece is bearing everything you say I really am looking forward to seeing Mackie adding his energy this squad, probably more as an impact sub at the moment.
Nice report Col, I would have loved to have been there unfortunately a bit busy at this time, loads going on here in not so hot Madrid but will do my best to get to a game in October. Interesting your comments regarding Austin, I certainly hope not he's turning into another kebab eater, I can empathise that maybe he is frustrated that there have not been bids to match the asking price, for me he is worth 15m and some but premiership teams won't pay top dollar for English players IMO. He scored two and set up two in a 4-2 win can't really ask for much more from him. Looks like the players around him have some quality though, your thoughts on Luongo and Chery?
Nice one Col. I was looking closely when Polter came on, because I thought it was odd as well, and it looked to me that we went 4-3-3, with Phillips and Chery alternating in being the 3rd attacker. But certainly it looked a lot more fluid and adaptable than we have seen in a long time. Spot on re Ale, I was left wondering what having someone who could pass playing in central mid for us last season would have resulted in. Mackie will add nothing to the way this team was trying to play except sweat.
Agree about Austin. He seemed to be doing his utmost to promote his undoubted abilitity to the wider world but without actually breaking a sweat too often or risking injury. But you can still relish the remote possibility of a fully fit and applied CA at this level should no appropriate offer turn up (hugely unlikely - gone this week IMO). Chery appears to be a fantastic buy on his first few games but you do worry how things will pan out with no strong man alongside him (the gangling Polter does not count). I think Konchesky is unlucky not to appear in your list of '8's. His work rate on a baking hot day was phenomenal and he was the launch pad for many of our most incisive moves.
Mmm. I was sat in South Africa Rd (what a boring bunch in there!!) in F block and was in line with our forward line in the 2nd half. Definitely looked like a change to 4-4-2 to me. Rotherham had been piling men forward at 1-3 down, leaving only a couple of men at the back. Maybe Ramsey wanted to keep more of them back? Faurlin is the main piece in this new jigsaw and absolutely vital imo. I wouldn't mind if it was Doughty alongside him, but Henry was good yesterday. Agreed re Mackie. Can't see how he can get in this team, even with Austin gone. Chery plays BEHIND the striker mate. He doesn't need a strong man alongside him. I agree that Konchesky was very good and probably warranted an 8.
You're probably right Col, you certainly have a better eye for this stuff than me. Charlie's demeanour seemed similar to a lot of last season to me but a bit more exaggerated, perhaps that's just the way he is, has the goalscorer's arrogance, strange because he seems very personable off the pitch. But he did seem to be trying to show there was more to his game than goals and played very deep and wide on occasion, which was daft. One (very bad) cross from the right hand corner in the first half - presumably his target was himself. I have only ever sat in South Africa Road stand once, for my very first match (plus one time in a box in the early eighties, which was complete rubbish, horrible way to watch football) I just remember that the sun in the eyes was an issue. Didn't stop it being a formative experience though. Great to see Stan enjoying himself yesterday - and apparently he was down at the C&S after the match with Don Shanks. Top man.
Completely agree about Charlie. He didn't need to come so deep, although he actually held the ball up quite well and did show that he could be better as a lone striker than I'd given him credit for. I suppose it's fair enough that his mind is elsewhere and also fair enough that he's trying to show his full repertoire to potential buyers. He deserve a lot of praise for his involvement in Chery's two goals. However, he really should have played Chery in for his hat-trick before the keeper generously let in Charlie's shot.
It's great to hear Ramsey looks to have us playing some decent football at last. Gives hope that we could be in the pack fighting for promotion if he can sort us defensively, and either properly replace or miraculously keep Austin. I have always felt Ramsey has it in him to make a very good Manager, especially with a football director type supporting him. The last 2 games give some substance to this and must surely be a big confidence boost to all. Very pleased for Ramsey as he also seems a good bloke. Now we ned to extend the 0 1 3 3 sequence further, plus let the reserves win another Cup game.
Given my current position on our owners it's nice they didn't go out of their way to score an own goal and forget Stan. Well done to all involved, I hope we can make it possible to remember his contribution in a memorable way. Just not sure what would be most suitable. All this does make one wonder if we will be back doing this for Adel when he needs a gastric band fitted. In a strange way I hope we do.
The difference with Austin in the lone striker role this season compared to last is that he now has midfield players getting alongside or ahead of him to link with. Last season he was marooned if Zamora didn't play.
Just in case no one has mentioned it the full 90 minutes of yesterday's match is on QPR player , hope they are doing this all season.
Got there and the Stan shirts were sold out in normal size. Rang during the week but was told they don't reserve them, so expecting to find them sold out. What I can't understand though is that as it is for a very good cause why they couldn't take paid orders when they were sold out. There were an awful lot of supporters who wanted them on the day who couldn't get there before to buy them. Had the privilege of watching him play, that's why I wanted one.
Lead guitarist with Adel's Gastric Band. Coming soon to a pub near you. please log in to view this image
