The Blue Blog
The Blue Blog is your place for the club's monthly newsletter and discussion article(s). This is also the spot for some fun pictures from some of the great events hosted by the North American Rangers Supporters Association (NARSA) and the Florida Rangers Supporters Club.
IS WALTER RETHINKING?
Is anyone else surprised by how well Rangers have gelled together in the league this year, particularly in the last four weeks? I am sure the masses are thinking yes. Throw in the Champions League draw at Old Trafford, the win against the Turks, and a draw against a strong and talented Valencia side that had potential of being a landslide victory, and I have no doubt the level of play against impressive opposition has most of us more than a little surprised. If you'd offered any fan - regardless of mental competence - all winning games in the league as well as unbeaten in the first three Champions League games, they would've obviously said "yes" but thought you were the one "not quite right in the head" as soon as the words left your lips.
Now, I am sure Walter is in about as much shock as the rest of us, regardless of how good a manager he believes he is. They seem to be playing for the badge again, fighting for every ball, and as each Champions League game goes by, gaining a new confidence that "maybe we do belong at this level."
Now, everyone says that Walter moving on to less stressful times after this season is a done deal, but I'm not so sure. Will relaxing days, afternoon tee-times, and weekend shopping sprees and getaways be what he will be relishing? I think not. Will winning the league again, getting to the next phase of the Champions League and gaining the additional revenue be like a rush of adrenalin? You bet your tail it will. Maybe some of that additional revenue and prospect of gaining Champions League football next year will enable us to not only keep some of our key players, but in fact entice a few more quality candidates.
It seems clearly apparent that the current players believe in themselves and if we keep progressing and growing in confidence like we are now, next season looks bright, and even if Walter states he is hanging the boots up, I dare anyone to say outright that he isn't thinking about one final stand.
Just wait and see. If all continues like a fairytale, don't be surprised if Alley McCoist comes out and states HE has convinced Walter to stay one more year, looking to gain even more experience before receiving the reigns. That's the spin they'll put on it.
Watch this space :) You know where you heard it first.
Why-Aye Man
It may have been a friendly, but I felt the victory against Newcastle was an encouraging one. I thought the defense was pretty solid, and the combination of Whittaker and Naismith on the left and right of midfield respectively, worked well. Let's see if Walter starts with the same formation for the league opener.
For those who missed the game, the highlights are shown below:
4-4-2 or 3-5-2?
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The new season is fast approaching. It's no secret that we're likely to be playing a 4-5-1 formation during our Champions League campaign, purely due to the high level of the competition, where keeping it tight and perhaps sneaking a counter attack goal or one from a set-piece will be the order of the day.
But what about the regular SPL season? It seems that even with the loss of young Wilson we have three center backs who all deserve a starting spot, namely Weir, Webster, and Bougherra. OK, Weir is surely in his final season, but he was nothing less than solid last season, and unless his forty year old legs start to show some cobwebs early on there would be no reason to have him warming the bench. Bougherra (if he is still with us) will be one of the first names on the team sheet, and young Webster is deserving of a start as well. He successfully captained The Terrors to third place in the league and lifted the Scottish Cup last season, and is in the squad for next week's Scotland friendly against Sweden.
I say play them all. Big Weir right in the middle, Webster off to his left a little, and big Boogie to his right. He said he's not a right back, but he looked the part in the World Cup and a nice compromise might be somewhere in between the immediate center and the right back position.
Five in the middle of the park, with the left and right flanks playing a roaming role up and down (Whittaker on the right and maybe Papac or Fleck on the left - often felt Papac underated going forward), with McCulloch, Davis, and Edu picking up in the middle.
For now I would have Big Lafferty and Wee Miller up front to see if we can get that Little and Large partnership going, but it all depends on what signings we get (talk of Georgie Welcome or perhaps Nikica Jelavic may kick Lafferty to the bench, particularly if we get Jelavic).
There are others for selection consideration such as Fleck, Naismith, Papac, and perhaps others depending what happens between now and the end of the signing window.
Either way it's a new season and I think a completely new formation would be fresh and exciting, making the most of the limited talent we have right now and utilizing three guys at the back who all deserve a starting place.
Would love to hear your opinions on this. Email us a response and we'll post responses on here (with your name or we can leave "anonymous" if you desire) and get a decent discussion taking place.
Cheers
Gary
Club Secretary
2010 NARSA Convention - Las Vegas
Last month our club attented the NARSA convention in Las Vegas, hosted at the Flamingo Hotel. It was a wonderfully organized event. Around 1200 loyal fans were in attendance.
Donald Finlay was M.C. for weekend festivities, with special guests Walter Smith, Kenny McDowell, Martin Bain, and Alastair Johnston, together with ex-players Lorenzo Amoruso, John Brown, and Colin Stein.
A few pics are shown below. All I can say is that is was a fantastic time and we all can't wait until the 2011 convention in Orlando, Florida.
Vegas - Poolside at Greg Simm's Cabana.
Bobby Gilmour and Gary Vint enjoying a few Friday afternoon "refreshments" with Walter and Kenny.
Greg Simm on camera duty.
Greg Simm and Bobby Gilmour with Walter Smith after the Saturday night dinner and speeches.
Gary Vint, Les White, Bobby Gilmour, and Derek Walker with Martin Bain. Walter Smith on the camera pulling faces at us. Les wasn't amused, but Walter swears it had nothing to do with the cowboy hat.
Greg, Bobby, Gary, Peter, Les, and Derek with John Brown.
Championeeeeeeeess !!!
The boys throwing back a few later afternoon brews, eagerly anticipating the evening visit to the Bunny Ranch. Just kidding...it was the Chicken Ranch.
