What's actually wrong with the team?

[Reformation Bear 2,170]

Depending on how this season pans out, or looks like it might pan out the question posed by the OP might need to be widened to ask what is wrong at the Club - which might be closer to the nub of what needs to change than the narrower - but still very relevant - 'what's wrong with the team'.

The season not panning out as required, or not looking like it will pan out as required, would be failing to win one of the slots for European football next season. A low enough ambition for Rangers - just about as low as it gets with the only lower ambitions being to avoid being in the bottom half of the table when the league splits (which would mean no 4th OF game) and - much much worse - being involved in a relegation dog fight.

At its best for this season the terms used by Warburton of the team being 'more than competitive' (the message given routinely at the start of the season) or now just to be 'highly competitive' (the term being used these days) could mean that the season is a success if we win a European slot (the 'must achieve') target but may still flexible enough in the minds of Warburton and King to mean it would be successful just to finish in the top half of the league. They have constructed those terms to be suitably vague in defining success. It's nicely 'City-like' in concept where success is not too strongly defined and vague enough to be claimed depending on the outcome of the season.

Sure King has said its vital that we get a European slot for next season but if we don't but still get top half of the table would that still be enough of a success to give Warburton another shot at it next season? I'm not so sure. Even with 2 gilt edged excuses in the bag already to explain away what I think many would then regard as a failed season even allowing for first year back in the top flight, I suspect King and Warburton would come under great pressure for next season. The gilt edged excuses? They would be the clumsy and heavy handed removal of Barton, and the near season-long injury to Kranjcar. They might yet get a 3rd gilt edged excuse if Rossiter remains on the treatment table for a lot longer. And a 4th (bad luck linked to the 'random events of football') if the injury trend continues.

What would be wrong with the Club? At the core would be money, or more to the point lack of it.

Nowhere near enough investment money brought in to acquire players of a much higher calibre. Until that happens we are not likely to shift out of whatever 'highly competitive' really means into a position where there is clearly a much better quality of squad led by a manager that knows how to get the best out of them.

It seems increasingly clear King does not have enough money or willingness to inject more and clear that the Board can't generate it. Even a further issue of shares may be nowhere near enough. Perhaps in the messaging about settling for 2nd this season King and the Board, having obtained power but unable to generate enough investment to propel the Club back to a demonstrably better level of quality and capability of winning league title, are really saying that its going to be a mix of some really astute buys of players who really do make a difference quickly (none so far) coupled to development of home grown talent that will one day see 55 won.

The problem with that is - that might take more than a season or two to achieve.......especially in view of the careless dropping of points and inability to score that we are seeing this season so far where there is an impression of thrashing about in flogging a system that the players just can't seem to make work on anything like a consistent enough basis.

[Johnny Dangerously 376]

24 minutes ago, Reformation Bear said:

Depending on how this season pans out, or looks like it might pan out the question posed by the OP might need to be widened to ask what is wrong at the Club - which might be closer to the nub of what needs to change than the narrower - but still very relevant - 'what's wrong with the team'.

The season not panning out as required, or not looking like it will pan out as required, would be failing to win one of the slots for European football next season. A low enough ambition for Rangers - just about as low as it gets with the only lower ambitions being to avoid being in the bottom half of the table when the league splits (which would mean no 4th OF game) and - much much worse - being involved in a relegation dog fight.

At its best for this season the terms used by Warburton of the team being 'more than competitive' (the message given routinely at the start of the season) or now just to be 'highly competitive' (the term being used these days) could mean that the season is a success if we win a European slot (the 'must achieve') target but may still flexible enough in the minds of Warburton and King to mean it would be successful just to finish in the top half of the league. They have constructed those terms to be suitably vague in defining success. It's nicely 'City-like' in concept where success is not too strongly defined and vague enough to be claimed depending on the outcome of the season.

Sure King has said its vital that we get a European slot for next season but if we don't but still get top half of the table would that still be enough of a success to give Warburton another shot at it next season? I'm not so sure. Even with 2 gilt edged excuses in the bag already to explain away what I think many would then regard as a failed season even allowing for first year back in the top flight, I suspect King and Warburton would come under great pressure for next season. The gilt edged excuses? They would be the clumsy and heavy handed removal of Barton, and the near season-long injury to Kranjcar. They might yet get a 3rd gilt edged excuse if Rossiter remains on the treatment table for a lot longer. And a 4th (bad luck linked to the 'random events of football') if the injury trend continues.

What would be wrong with the Club? At the core would be money, or more to the point lack of it.

Nowhere near enough investment money brought in to acquire players of a much higher calibre. Until that happens we are not likely to shift out of whatever 'highly competitive' really means into a position where there is clearly a much better quality of squad led by a manager that knows how to get the best out of them.

It seems increasingly clear King does not have enough money or willingness to inject more and clear that the Board can't generate it. Even a further issue of shares may be nowhere near enough. Perhaps in the messaging about settling for 2nd this season King and the Board, having obtained power but unable to generate enough investment to propel the Club back to a demonstrably better level of quality and capability of winning league title, are really saying that its going to be a mix of some really astute buys of players who really do make a difference quickly (none so far) coupled to development of home grown talent that will one day see 55 won.

The problem with that is - that might take more than a season or two to achieve.......especially in view of the careless dropping of points and inability to score that we are seeing this season so far where there is an impression of thrashing about in flogging a system that the players just can't seem to make work on anything like a consistent enough basis.

Thing about Europe is all the big money is in the Champions League. Unless we win the Europa League we won't make much money. Don't see Ibrox selling out for games against teams no one has ever heard of. Will make a bit but it will be a drop in the ocean, imo

[K.A.I 8,593]

6 minutes ago, Johnny Dangerously said:

Thing about Europe is all the big money is in the Champions League. Unless we win the Europa League we won't make much money. Don't see Ibrox selling out for games against teams no one has ever heard of. Will make a bit but it will be a drop in the ocean, imo

When we got to the final a few years ago the UEFA Cup accounts ran at a loss because of player bonuses and other costs.

But, playing in Europe, even the Europa league is about prestige and getting the brand back. We need a Rangers playing in Europe as part of our rebuilding.

We can't do that until the liars in our boardroom splash then cash .. after they've done that you add a bit more quality and hopefully win the league and get into the Champions League, where the real money is made.

[Johnny Dangerously 376]

27 minutes ago, K.A.I said:

When we got to the final a few years ago the UEFA Cup accounts ran at a loss because of player bonuses and other costs.

But, playing in Europe, even the Europa league is about prestige and getting the brand back. We need a Rangers playing in Europe as part of our rebuilding.

We can't do that until the liars in our boardroom splash then cash .. after they've done that you add a bit more quality and hopefully win the league and get into the Champions League, where the real money is made.

Jesus, so we never really made nothing last time 😩

Maybe if we'd actually won it we might have made something after bonus and other costs? Suppose bonus would have been higher right enough.

[Blue Avenger 2,980]

8 minutes ago, Johnny Dangerously said:

Thing about Europe is all the big money is in the Champions League. Unless we win the Europa League we won't make much money. Don't see Ibrox selling out for games against teams no one has ever heard of. Will make a bit but it will be a drop in the ocean, imo

The way we are going, we'd be lucky to get past the qualifiers for the Europa, if we indeed even get the chance.

[Johnny Dangerously 376]

1 minute ago, Blue Avenger said:

The way we are going, we'd be lucky to get past the qualifiers for the Europa, if we indeed even get the chance.

Yip we've struggled against some shite in Europe too

[TopCat 270]

We have too many average players, plain and simple.

[55Bear 421]

Areas we lack in are vision, creativity, reading of the game and physicality.

[giffnockger 228]

As some said before, conceding (usually) far too easy & not taking out chances. Can't see further than that at the moment...?

[Gary Wilmot's Wedding Brek 288]

We wouldn't get past a single qualifier in Europe with Warburton in charge anyway. His tactics are mental, we'd get done by any diddy team that sits in and waits to get us on the counter attack, from set pieces, or Laurel and Hardy defending.

I thought it mental when people were saying last season that we'd do well in Europe under him, he's too naive. His lack of experience has been shown up horrifically in a job that is clearly too big for him.

[Juniorsparkie 61]

16 hours ago, King Jela said:

We're halfway into the most unique season in our club's history.

Theres never been a season where Rangers have just been promoted, there's never been a season where every game is a cup final to the opposition and there's never been a season where there's been such a gulf in class and finance between ourselves and the tarriers. All that without even mentioning the lack of investment, manager's faults and fans impatience which all leads to an unhappy time for Rangers.

It doesn't appear as if our players realise they are cup finals.

[Badger 509]

The issue is simple. We do not have enough players who can be relied upon to put in a performance.

The squad has to play well to get a result these days. Teams of the past had enough quality to play turgid and still scrape a win - Smiths team made a habit of it. When they were on song they tended to hammer teams.

[A.T.G 2,866]

Playing in even the europa league should

be our main target at the very least.

A. It does increase revenue

B. Attract better players

C. Pay higher wages

We need europe

[gersandy 231]

We dont attack with intent. Our defenders arent strong enough, and our manager only has one tactic.

[sammy cox 565]

6 hours ago, Gary Wilmot's Wedding Brek said:

We wouldn't get past a single qualifier in Europe with Warburton in charge anyway. His tactics are mental, we'd get done by any diddy team that sits in and waits to get us on the counter attack, from set pieces, or Laurel and Hardy defending.

I thought it mental when people were saying last season that we'd do well in Europe under him, he's too naive. His lack of experience has been shown up horrifically in a job that is clearly too big for him.

Yes gone are the days when our teams costing tens of millions destroyed such European giants as Unirea Urziceni,Maribor and Kaunas ah those were the days superb tactics

[K.A.I 8,593]

2 hours ago, sammy cox said:

Yes gone are the days when our teams costing tens of millions destroyed such European giants as Unirea Urziceni,Maribor and Kaunas ah those were the days superb tactics

That was down to Smith those games - sometimes he'd get found out in Europe against some utter shite but you honestly can't tell me that spending money wisely doesn't improve our chances of getting into Europe and some success?

Do you think we should just keep the standard of Holt, Halliday, McKay, Kieran, Dodoo, Wilson, Miller, O'Halloran and just hope it comes good in the end ?

[hammer93 744]

10 minutes ago, K.A.I said:

That was down to Smith those games - sometimes he'd get found out in Europe against some utter shite but you honestly can't tell me that spending money wisely doesn't improve our chances of getting into Europe and some success?

Do you think we should just keep the standard of Holt, Halliday, McKay, Kieran, Dodoo, Wilson, Miller, O'Halloran and just hope it comes good in the end ?

I think this season goes to prove that we need better calibre of player, I reckon warburton believed he was bringing in a better standard but we need to spend a decent amount of money and spend it wisely .

[William McBeath 388]

10 hours ago, 55Bear said:

Areas we lack in are vision, creativity, reading of the game and physicality.

Yup, we huff and puff but struggle to break teams down. Annoying thing is that teams can just sit tight and wait on a chance to break. We put so much effort into playing the game the right way and trying to do something that it's sickening to see teams run up and score with two or three touches. Like you say we need better quality all over the pitch, especially the spine of the side.

A good defender, central midfielder, and striker would make a world of difference. Need not cost a fortune either if you consider some of the cheap players we've had in the past that have done a good job like the big Greek defender Eck found or guys like Rino, Tugay, Reyna, Aluko, Arteta, Adam, McCormack, Jelavic.

Suppose some of them cost a few million but we will not win the league without some outlay on transfer fees. But if we spend wisely we can build a capable team without a lot of cash.

[sammy cox 565]

7 hours ago, K.A.I said:

That was down to Smith those games - sometimes he'd get found out in Europe against some utter shite but you honestly can't tell me that spending money wisely doesn't improve our chances of getting into Europe and some success?

Do you think we should just keep the standard of Holt, Halliday, McKay, Kieran, Dodoo, Wilson, Miller, O'Halloran and just hope it comes good in the end ?

Sometimes he'd get found out in Europe just sometimes.Did he or Advocaat spend money wisely and bring us any success in Europe? what do you mean by success.Alex McCleish got us further in the CL with a budget far inferior to both Smith and Advocaat is that what you mean by success. Prey tell me and everyone else where this money is going to come from to maybe win the league,and maybe qualify for CL. Please try and be realistic and original as to where this 10,15,20 million is going to come from. I don't see a que of multi millionaires or global corporations just tripping over themselves to invest in Rangers and the back water of European football.Do tell us all where/who are willing to invest these amounts to MAYBE see some kind of return.

[pollok-bear 354]

We are lacking confidence, creativity, aggression, urgency on the ball.

We really need to up our game to have any chance of finishing second. Hate even saying that word second but it's going to have to do for now.