Poor first half display from the Gers. Zenit pressed us high up the park and 
we couldn't get out at times. We did have 1 or 2 decent attacks however. 
Also as the half wore on I felt Zenit lost their zip as our defensive 
strength frustrated them. They also had quite a few long shots which 
indicates they couldn't get in behind our defence.

As for the team line up, I was surprised Whittaker was out left, I thought 
that slot would have gone to McCulloch or Novo. I guess he felt he had to 
keep Novo in reserve to replace Darcheville once he had ran out of legs, 
although the way the game went he kept Darcheville on as we went for broke.

I'd much prefer Whittaker to be at right back in place of Broadfoot. For 
next season I'd like to see a back four of Cueller, Whittaker, Smith at left 
back and either Weir or perhaps Webster if he gets fit and going, or a new 
signing.

Davis did well, as did Ferguson. I've not been impressed by Hemdani lately. 
In possession he is limited and reminds me of Lennon with his inability to 
do anything forward thinking. He also seems off his game a bit lately and 
particularly in the first half Zenit were getting possession and finding 
gaps behind the Rangers midfield, which is where he is meant to be in 
charge. Maybe harsh, thoughts?

Thomson did alright although I couldn't believe the wild tackle he did early 
on. You could see from 5 yards away he wasn't going to get the ball and some 
refs would have sent him off for that. He was extremely lucky not to get a 
yellow card (to be fair the ref had an alright game, he didn't add enough 
time at the end however, 2 more mins and we'd have got two goals ;-). Back 
to Thomson - he's a good player but he gets far too many stupid yellow 
cards.

Up front. Our problem area. We have plenty of players but what for I don't 
know when we only play 1 up top! You can't argue that this formation got us 
to the final however but 4-5-1 ain't pretty. It became fashionable at the 
last World Cup and spoiled that WC for me. Hopefully the tactics will change 
at Euro 2008 to something a bit more adventurous. A while ago 5-3-2 was all 
the rage (Craig Brown's usual formation for Scotland) but these things come 
and go.

Final point - what oh what does Walter spend so much time writing about 
before making a substitution? It doesn't take that long to write down notes 
to tell a player where to go or who to mark at a corner. What else are they 
writing? How hard is it to decide Novo on for Papac, Whittaker to left back, 
and tell the wee man to try and get at them?

He also leaves it a bit late to make changes. He could have put McCulloch, 
Boyd and Novo on as soon as they scored with about 20 mins to go instead of 
how he did it.

Also, why is it, in football at the highest level, there is documentation to 
fill out to make a sub? Never understood that. In amateur football the ref 
simply ticks a list of who's on and who's off in his wee book. All the 
documentation should be sorted before a game and during a game it should 
simply be a case of saying the numbers and names of the players going 
on/off. The 4th official can check his wee list and the change can be made.

One more point. Was I right in seeing Gordon Strachan, amongst others, with 
a good luck message for Rangers on the BBC news at tea time? I never heard 
the message but it looked like him and ppl like Alex Salmond were on wishing 
us well. If that's the case I think Strachan is being a bit hypocritical. If 
he had his way the SPL season would not have been extended at all! I do not 
blame the SPL for Rangers having to play on Saturday. I blame people like 
Strachan, Celtic and whichever other clubs objected to the season being 
extended. The SPL were willing to cancel games earlier in the season to help 
Rangers and Scotland (and would have done it for Celtic if they'd wanted 
it).

The SPL are exactly right in what they have been saying over the last week - 
despite everyone complaining, no one offered a viable solution. What they 
should have done a month ago is tell the clubs the season would finish the 
week after the cup final and tell clubs like Celtic and whatever other clubs 
complained to button it.

Apologies for the long post. It was a big game after all :-)

"Stevio"  wrote in message 
news:74NWj.3705$DZ6.2261@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> Poor first half display from the Gers. Zenit pressed us high up the park 
> and we couldn't get out at times. We did have 1 or 2 decent attacks 
> however. Also as the half wore on I felt Zenit lost their zip as our 
> defensive strength frustrated them. They also had quite a few long shots 
> which indicates they couldn't get in behind our defence.
>
> As for the team line up, I was surprised Whittaker was out left, I thought 
> that slot would have gone to McCulloch or Novo. I guess he felt he had to 
> keep Novo in reserve to replace Darcheville once he had ran out of legs, 
> although the way the game went he kept Darcheville on as we went for 
> broke.
>
> I'd much prefer Whittaker to be at right back in place of Broadfoot. For 
> next season I'd like to see a back four of Cueller, Whittaker, Smith at 
> left back and either Weir or perhaps Webster if he gets fit and going, or 
> a new signing.
>
> Davis did well, as did Ferguson. I've not been impressed by Hemdani 
> lately. In possession he is limited and reminds me of Lennon with his 
> inability to do anything forward thinking. He also seems off his game a 
> bit lately and particularly in the first half Zenit were getting 
> possession and finding gaps behind the Rangers midfield, which is where he 
> is meant to be in charge. Maybe harsh, thoughts?
>
> Thomson did alright although I couldn't believe the wild tackle he did 
> early on. You could see from 5 yards away he wasn't going to get the ball 
> and some refs would have sent him off for that. He was extremely lucky not 
> to get a yellow card (to be fair the ref had an alright game, he didn't 
> add enough time at the end however, 2 more mins and we'd have got two 
> goals ;-). Back to Thomson - he's a good player but he gets far too many 
> stupid yellow cards.
>
> Up front. Our problem area. We have plenty of players but what for I don't 
> know when we only play 1 up top! You can't argue that this formation got 
> us to the final however but 4-5-1 ain't pretty. It became fashionable at 
> the last World Cup and spoiled that WC for me. Hopefully the tactics will 
> change at Euro 2008 to something a bit more adventurous. A while ago 5-3-2 
> was all the rage (Craig Brown's usual formation for Scotland) but these 
> things come and go.

Ok summing up instead of answering each piece i think it says it all in your 
last paragraph above.Reason Zenit wouldnt let you out of your area first 
half was because of your own tactics,you are right you do have the players 
to play up front but WS chose against it.It worked in past games but law of 
averages says youll come unstuck and sadly for you it was in the final 
game.I actually think it may have thrown Zenit a bit if you had got Novo on 
from the start because Zenit seemed ready to try to break down the defence 
instead of sit back and waiting.In the first half i was actually thinking 
Darcheville might well sneak one in but didnt happen.

Id disagree that the defence frustrated them . I think its been a good 
defence for most of the season,the lack of goals let in proves that 
alone,the difference i think is zenit knew that if an attack failed that 
there wasnt going to be many up front to collect the ball for a counter . 
Thats why their attack never broke down right to the very end.I think it 
really all does come down to WS's tactics in the end as you cant just sit 
back in a final hoping for a lucky break and defend out all the time.

As for the game backlogue,sadly its being a victim of your own success in a 
way.Some large teams have to play alot of games in a short time,but usually 
they are the giants in the euro game and have a squad that would be like 
having celtic and rangers combined!The  death of Phil was a sad unforseen 
event and can understand games being postponed but in the end how many teams 
in a league are going to make way for one team having an advantage?Its down 
to the SPL,plain and simple!They have postponed a game when you wanted it 
earlier and given a small extension,they cant just keep making way for 
rangers ! Woudl they have done the same for someone like Motherwell? I very 
much doubt it !

In the end though Rangers came close,still a bloody good achievement.You are 
right,it wasnt pretty and i think thats why alot of people dont really have 
much sympathy for them losing,but a good achievement none the less.But i 
know how the hurt feels just missing out by 90 mins,its not nice.But your 
time will come when you can give us some rightful flack next time we get 
knocked out of the UEFA final! ;-)

JB

"Jonbhoy"  wrote in message
> But your time will come when you can give us some rightful flack next time 
> we get knocked out of the UEFA final! ;-)

Ha no it will be us again next season, we're going to bore our way to the 
Champions League final! This was just a practice run. Talking of which where 
are next season's finals so I can get sorted in advance this time? :-) :-) 
lol.

"Stevio"  wrote
> Thomson did alright although I couldn't believe the wild tackle he did 
> early on. You could see from 5 yards away he wasn't going to get the ball 
> and some refs would have sent him off for that. He was extremely lucky not 
> to get a yellow card (to be fair the ref had an alright game, he didn't 
> add enough time at the end however, 2 more mins and we'd have got two 
> goals ;-). Back to Thomson - he's a good player but he gets far too many 
> stupid yellow cards.

Did anyone else think this was a shocking tackle possibly deserving a red 
card? Couldn't believe it when I saw him flying in (before he even made 
contact)! Ian Murray got a straight red for far less on McGeady the other 
day.

"Stevio"  wrote in message 
news:74NWj.3705$DZ6.2261@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> Poor first half display from the Gers. Zenit pressed us high up the park 
> and we couldn't get out at times. We did have 1 or 2 decent attacks 
> however. Also as the half wore on I felt Zenit lost their zip as our 
> defensive strength frustrated them. They also had quite a few long shots 
> which indicates they couldn't get in behind our defence.
>
> As for the team line up, I was surprised Whittaker was out left, I thought 
> that slot would have gone to McCulloch or Novo. I guess he felt he had to 
> keep Novo in reserve to replace Darcheville once he had ran out of legs, 
> although the way the game went he kept Darcheville on as we went for 
> broke.
>
> I'd much prefer Whittaker to be at right back in place of Broadfoot. For 
> next season I'd like to see a back four of Cueller, Whittaker, Smith at 
> left back and either Weir or perhaps Webster if he gets fit and going, or 
> a new signing.
>
> Davis did well, as did Ferguson. I've not been impressed by Hemdani 
> lately. In possession he is limited and reminds me of Lennon with his 
> inability to do anything forward thinking. He also seems off his game a 
> bit lately and particularly in the first half Zenit were getting 
> possession and finding gaps behind the Rangers midfield, which is where he 
> is meant to be in charge. Maybe harsh, thoughts?
>
> Thomson did alright although I couldn't believe the wild tackle he did 
> early on. You could see from 5 yards away he wasn't going to get the ball 
> and some refs would have sent him off for that. He was extremely lucky not 
> to get a yellow card (to be fair the ref had an alright game, he didn't 
> add enough time at the end however, 2 more mins and we'd have got two 
> goals ;-). Back to Thomson - he's a good player but he gets far too many 
> stupid yellow cards.
>
> Up front. Our problem area. We have plenty of players but what for I don't 
> know when we only play 1 up top! You can't argue that this formation got 
> us to the final however but 4-5-1 ain't pretty. It became fashionable at 
> the last World Cup and spoiled that WC for me. Hopefully the tactics will 
> change at Euro 2008 to something a bit more adventurous. A while ago 5-3-2 
> was all the rage (Craig Brown's usual formation for Scotland) but these 
> things come and go.



You think Davis Ferguson and did well?  Davis (like Thomson and Whittaker) 
gives his all but like lacks the basic skills (like Thomson and Whittaker). 
Ferguson gave us another of those turgid displays we've seen so much of this 
season.   You say Hemdami is negative (and he has been a bit off form 
lately)  but Ferguson is little better at times.  Up front is our problem 
area, that is surely our midfield?
No complaints though.  They were the better side and scored two good goals 
for a well deserved win.



>
> Final point - what oh what does Walter spend so much time writing about 
> before making a substitution? It doesn't take that long to write down 
> notes to tell a player where to go or who to mark at a corner. What else 
> are they writing? How hard is it to decide Novo on for Papac, Whittaker to 
> left back, and tell the wee man to try and get at them?


I was thinking the same thing as Smith franticly wrote what seemed to be an 
essay.  What could he possibly be writing that could be of any help when you 
are a goal down with 15 minutes to play in a cup final?


>
> He also leaves it a bit late to make changes. He could have put McCulloch, 
> Boyd and Novo on as soon as they scored with about 20 mins to go instead 
> of how he did it.

I thought He should have put Novo on straight away (would have started him 
myself) and if Boyd was to be brought on it should have been sooner. 
Overall a poor performance from Smith.

No complaints about the result though.  The best team won, simple as that.

"Stevio"  wrote in message 
news:XZNWj.3708$DZ6.3635@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> "Stevio"  wrote
>> Thomson did alright although I couldn't believe the wild tackle he did 
>> early on. You could see from 5 yards away he wasn't going to get the ball 
>> and some refs would have sent him off for that. He was extremely lucky 
>> not to get a yellow card (to be fair the ref had an alright game, he 
>> didn't add enough time at the end however, 2 more mins and we'd have got 
>> two goals ;-). Back to Thomson - he's a good player but he gets far too 
>> many stupid yellow cards.
>
> Did anyone else think this was a shocking tackle possibly deserving a red 
> card? Couldn't believe it when I saw him flying in (before he even made 
> contact)!

If you couldn't believe it you obviously haven't watched much of Thomson. 
Those lunges are becoming a trademark.

"Angof"  wrote in message 
news:MoydnWcvH9hyQrbVnZ2dnUVZ8uKdnZ2d@plusnet...
>
> "Stevio"  wrote in message 
> news:74NWj.3705$DZ6.2261@text.news.virginmedia.com...
>> Poor first half display from the Gers. Zenit pressed us high up the park 
>> and we couldn't get out at times. We did have 1 or 2 decent attacks 
>> however. Also as the half wore on I felt Zenit lost their zip as our 
>> defensive strength frustrated them. They also had quite a few long shots 
>> which indicates they couldn't get in behind our defence.
>>
>> As for the team line up, I was surprised Whittaker was out left, I 
>> thought that slot would have gone to McCulloch or Novo. I guess he felt 
>> he had to keep Novo in reserve to replace Darcheville once he had ran out 
>> of legs, although the way the game went he kept Darcheville on as we went 
>> for broke.
>>
>> I'd much prefer Whittaker to be at right back in place of Broadfoot. For 
>> next season I'd like to see a back four of Cueller, Whittaker, Smith at 
>> left back and either Weir or perhaps Webster if he gets fit and going, or 
>> a new signing.
>>
>> Davis did well, as did Ferguson. I've not been impressed by Hemdani 
>> lately. In possession he is limited and reminds me of Lennon with his 
>> inability to do anything forward thinking. He also seems off his game a 
>> bit lately and particularly in the first half Zenit were getting 
>> possession and finding gaps behind the Rangers midfield, which is where 
>> he is meant to be in charge. Maybe harsh, thoughts?
>>
>> Thomson did alright although I couldn't believe the wild tackle he did 
>> early on. You could see from 5 yards away he wasn't going to get the ball 
>> and some refs would have sent him off for that. He was extremely lucky 
>> not to get a yellow card (to be fair the ref had an alright game, he 
>> didn't add enough time at the end however, 2 more mins and we'd have got 
>> two goals ;-). Back to Thomson - he's a good player but he gets far too 
>> many stupid yellow cards.
>>
>> Up front. Our problem area. We have plenty of players but what for I 
>> don't know when we only play 1 up top! You can't argue that this 
>> formation got us to the final however but 4-5-1 ain't pretty. It became 
>> fashionable at the last World Cup and spoiled that WC for me. Hopefully 
>> the tactics will change at Euro 2008 to something a bit more adventurous. 
>> A while ago 5-3-2 was all the rage (Craig Brown's usual formation for 
>> Scotland) but these things come and go.
>
>
>
> You think Davis Ferguson and did well?  Davis (like Thomson and Whittaker) 
> gives his all but like lacks the basic skills (like Thomson and 
> Whittaker).

Can't agree with that at all. Davis is a very skillful player - as is 
Whittaker.

> Ferguson gave us another of those turgid displays we've seen so much of 
> this season.

Biggest game of his life and he didn't turn up. Mind you, I think Wattie is 
largely to blame for playing Fergie so far up rather than behind, pulling 
the strings.

> You say Hemdami is negative (and he has been a bit off form lately)  but 
> Ferguson is little better at times.  Up front is our problem area, that is 
> surely our midfield?

Our problem area is that we have no creativity and no way of giving a steady 
supply to our front players. I agree that we need a quality striker though. 
I don't think Boyd is the answer, Naismith has done little, Cousin is powder 
puff and Darcheville needs to play behind the main striker or alongside a 
dual striker.


>> He also leaves it a bit late to make changes. He could have put 
>> McCulloch, Boyd and Novo on as soon as they scored with about 20 mins to 
>> go instead of how he did it.
>
> I thought He should have put Novo on straight away (would have started him 
> myself) and if Boyd was to be brought on it should have been sooner. 
> Overall a poor performance from Smith.
>


Bit harsh calling it a poor performance. He got it right up until the hour 
mark. It was obvious that we were going to attack in the 2nd half, so why 
didn't he change the team to make it an attcking team instead of trying to 
attack with a lineup put together for defense?

> No complaints about the result though.  The best team won, simple as that.

No complaints.

Well, one. Did you see their female fans? Why can't we have totty like that 
at Ibrox?

"FishSupper"  wrote in message 
news:-7OdnRvCg7oxs7HVnZ2dnUVZ8tDinZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "Angof"  wrote in message 
> news:MoydnWcvH9hyQrbVnZ2dnUVZ8uKdnZ2d@plusnet...
>>
>> "Stevio"  wrote in message 
>> news:74NWj.3705$DZ6.2261@text.news.virginmedia.com...
>>> Poor first half display from the Gers. Zenit pressed us high up the park 
>>> and we couldn't get out at times. We did have 1 or 2 decent attacks 
>>> however. Also as the half wore on I felt Zenit lost their zip as our 
>>> defensive strength frustrated them. They also had quite a few long shots 
>>> which indicates they couldn't get in behind our defence.
>>>
>>> As for the team line up, I was surprised Whittaker was out left, I 
>>> thought that slot would have gone to McCulloch or Novo. I guess he felt 
>>> he had to keep Novo in reserve to replace Darcheville once he had ran 
>>> out of legs, although the way the game went he kept Darcheville on as we 
>>> went for broke.
>>>
>>> I'd much prefer Whittaker to be at right back in place of Broadfoot. For 
>>> next season I'd like to see a back four of Cueller, Whittaker, Smith at 
>>> left back and either Weir or perhaps Webster if he gets fit and going, 
>>> or a new signing.
>>>
>>> Davis did well, as did Ferguson. I've not been impressed by Hemdani 
>>> lately. In possession he is limited and reminds me of Lennon with his 
>>> inability to do anything forward thinking. He also seems off his game a 
>>> bit lately and particularly in the first half Zenit were getting 
>>> possession and finding gaps behind the Rangers midfield, which is where 
>>> he is meant to be in charge. Maybe harsh, thoughts?
>>>
>>> Thomson did alright although I couldn't believe the wild tackle he did 
>>> early on. You could see from 5 yards away he wasn't going to get the 
>>> ball and some refs would have sent him off for that. He was extremely 
>>> lucky not to get a yellow card (to be fair the ref had an alright game, 
>>> he didn't add enough time at the end however, 2 more mins and we'd have 
>>> got two goals ;-). Back to Thomson - he's a good player but he gets far 
>>> too many stupid yellow cards.
>>>
>>> Up front. Our problem area. We have plenty of players but what for I 
>>> don't know when we only play 1 up top! You can't argue that this 
>>> formation got us to the final however but 4-5-1 ain't pretty. It became 
>>> fashionable at the last World Cup and spoiled that WC for me. Hopefully 
>>> the tactics will change at Euro 2008 to something a bit more 
>>> adventurous. A while ago 5-3-2 was all the rage (Craig Brown's usual 
>>> formation for Scotland) but these things come and go.
>>
>>
>>
>> You think Davis Ferguson and did well?  Davis (like Thomson and 
>> Whittaker) gives his all but like lacks the basic skills (like Thomson 
>> and Whittaker).
>
> Can't agree with that at all. Davis is a very skillful player - as is 
> Whittaker.
>

Their first touch is not good enough and they give away possession too 
easilly.



>> Ferguson gave us another of those turgid displays we've seen so much of 
>> this season.
>
> Biggest game of his life and he didn't turn up. Mind you, I think Wattie 
> is largely to blame for playing Fergie so far up rather than behind, 
> pulling the strings.

He's better deeper but I wouldn't play him Thomson and Hemdami in the same 
team.

>
>> You say Hemdami is negative (and he has been a bit off form lately)  but 
>> Ferguson is little better at times.  Up front is our problem area, that 
>> is surely our midfield?
>
> Our problem area is that we have no creativity and no way of giving a 
> steady supply to our front players. I agree that we need a quality striker 
> though. I don't think Boyd is the answer, Naismith has done little, Cousin 
> is powder puff and Darcheville needs to play behind the main striker or 
> alongside a dual striker.

Difficult for the strikers if they are getting little ammunition. True 
Naismith has been disappointing but he's at least very young.  Cousin is 
leaving hopefully.   JCD has made a decent fist of the lone striker role but 
I agree he'd be much better in two man attack.

>
>
>>> He also leaves it a bit late to make changes. He could have put 
>>> McCulloch, Boyd and Novo on as soon as they scored with about 20 mins to 
>>> go instead of how he did it.
>>
>> I thought He should have put Novo on straight away (would have started 
>> him myself) and if Boyd was to be brought on it should have been sooner. 
>> Overall a poor performance from Smith.
>>
>
>
> Bit harsh calling it a poor performance. He got it right up until the hour 
> mark. It was obvious that we were going to attack in the 2nd half, so why 
> didn't he change the team to make it an attcking team instead of trying to 
> attack with a lineup put together for defense?

Well I thought Novo should have played but I thought it was riduculous the 
length of time it took to get Novo on.  We all knew it had to happen, so why 
wait?  It seems he was more concerned with writing down loads of 
stuff....WTF is that all about?  I can't think of anything he could be 
putting on paper that could possibly be of any help when you are 1-0 down, 
with 15 minutes to go, in a European final...can you? If it were another 
team I'd find it laughable TBO.


>
>> No complaints about the result though.  The best team won, simple as 
>> that.
>
> No complaints.
>
> Well, one. Did you see their female fans? Why can't we have totty like 
> that at Ibrox?

Russia are the new Brazil by the looks of things.  :)

"Angof"  wrote
>> Can't agree with that at all. Davis is a very skillful player - as is 
>> Whittaker.
>
> Their first touch is not good enough and they give away possession too 
> easilly.

Not true of Davis, he is an excellent technical player. Whittaker is a right 
back and the best one we have, so he should be playing there.

>>> Ferguson gave us another of those turgid displays we've seen so much of 
>>> this season.
>>
>> Biggest game of his life and he didn't turn up. Mind you, I think Wattie 
>> is largely to blame for playing Fergie so far up rather than behind, 
>> pulling the strings.
>
> He's better deeper but I wouldn't play him Thomson and Hemdami in the same 
> team.

I've got to disagree, Ferguson played well and worked hard. With hindsight, 
I'd have dropped Hemdani, played Thomson as the holding midfielder and put 
Davis in alongside Ferguson. This would mean we could put Novo wide right, 
bring in Adam wide left, drop Broadfoot and put Whittaker at right back. At 
any point we could easily switch to a 4-4-2 by pushing Novo up top and 
putting Davis on the right.

(And I could have told the players that without writing an essay!)

>> Our problem area is that we have no creativity and no way of giving a 
>> steady supply to our front players. I agree that we need a quality 
>> striker though. I don't think Boyd is the answer, Naismith has done 
>> little, Cousin is powder puff and Darcheville needs to play behind the 
>> main striker or alongside a dual striker.
>
> Difficult for the strikers if they are getting little ammunition. True 
> Naismith has been disappointing but he's at least very young.  Cousin is 
> leaving hopefully.   JCD has made a decent fist of the lone striker role 
> but I agree he'd be much better in two man attack.

I still like Boyd, hopefully we will go back to a 2 man frontline. I have to 
question if there is an attitude problem with Boyd if he is not picking up 
on what needs to be done in terms of effort and link up play to get himself 
in the team. Either that or the boss just doesn't fancy him, it happens with 
certain players and managers.

> Well I thought Novo should have played but I thought it was riduculous the 
> length of time it took to get Novo on.  We all knew it had to happen, so 
> why wait?  It seems he was more concerned with writing down loads of 
> stuff....WTF is that all about?  I can't think of anything he could be 
> putting on paper that could possibly be of any help when you are 1-0 down, 
> with 15 minutes to go, in a European final...can you? If it were another 
> team I'd find it laughable TBO.

Seriously, someone has to find out what all that writing is about. If you 
are just scribbling down your new formation with player names it doesn't 
take that long. Get Chick to ask him, WS loves Chick lol.

"Stevio"  wrote
> I've got to disagree, Ferguson played well and worked hard. With 
> hindsight, I'd have dropped Hemdani, played Thomson as the holding 
> midfielder and put Davis in alongside Ferguson. This would mean we could 
> put Novo wide right, bring in Adam wide left, drop Broadfoot and put 
> Whittaker at right back. At any point we could easily switch to a 4-4-2 by 
> pushing Novo up top and putting Davis on the right.

Replying to my own message but straightaway, just looking at that team with 
the changes above, it's still a 4-5-1 but looks a stronger team with much 
more goal and attacking threat. I know Adam has some poor performances 
sometimes but he has a bit of craft and knows how to score a goal. Novo is 
all about hustle and bustle but he rises to the big occasion too and gets 
important goals. (Yeah I know he missed a chance but it doesn't mean he 
bottled it, he just missed a chance.)

"Stevio"  wrote in message 
news:TrXWj.3883$DZ6.1916@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> "Angof"  wrote
>>> Can't agree with that at all. Davis is a very skillful player - as is 
>>> Whittaker.
>>
>> Their first touch is not good enough and they give away possession too 
>> easilly.
>
> Not true of Davis, he is an excellent technical player. Whittaker is a 
> right back and the best one we have, so he should be playing there.

Overated. If he was an excellent technical player he would be in Fulham's 
team.


>
>>>> Ferguson gave us another of those turgid displays we've seen so much of 
>>>> this season.
>>>
>>> Biggest game of his life and he didn't turn up. Mind you, I think Wattie 
>>> is largely to blame for playing Fergie so far up rather than behind, 
>>> pulling the strings.
>>
>> He's better deeper but I wouldn't play him Thomson and Hemdami in the 
>> same team.
>
> I've got to disagree, Ferguson played well and worked hard.

He did not play well.  At best he was OK, no more (that after an awful start 
when he caused us to lose possesion three times in the first 10 minurtes). 
I expect him to work hard, not that he is exceptional in that department. 
To be honest this constant over stating of Ferguson's abilities and 
performances (not just here) baffles me.

"Angof"  wrote
>> I've got to disagree, Ferguson played well and worked hard.
>
> He did not play well.  At best he was OK, no more (that after an awful 
> start when he caused us to lose possesion three times in the first 10 
> minurtes). I expect him to work hard, not that he is exceptional in that 
> department. To be honest this constant over stating of Ferguson's 
> abilities and performances (not just here) baffles me.

Ferguson's an excellent player, in fact he's good enough to play for Man Utd 
in the Champs League final next week (so Dick Advocaat says)! :-)

Seriously though you have to admit he is quality. Best midfielder in 
Scotland over the last 10 years.

"Stevio"  wrote in message 
news:hpYWj.3912$DZ6.73@text.news.virginmedia.com...
> "Angof"  wrote
>>> I've got to disagree, Ferguson played well and worked hard.
>>
>> He did not play well.  At best he was OK, no more (that after an awful 
>> start when he caused us to lose possesion three times in the first 10 
>> minurtes). I expect him to work hard, not that he is exceptional in that 
>> department. To be honest this constant over stating of Ferguson's 
>> abilities and performances (not just here) baffles me.
>
> Ferguson's an excellent player, in fact he's good enough to play for Man 
> Utd in the Champs League final next week (so Dick Advocaat says)! :-)

That's why all the top clubs have pestered us for his signature over the 
years eh?

>
> Seriously though you have to admit he is quality. Best midfielder in 
> Scotland over the last 10 years.

No...best Scottish midfielder over the last 10 years.  Big deal.  He's a 
good player, used to be very good, never top class though.

"Angof"  wrote
>> Ferguson's an excellent player, in fact he's good enough to play for Man 
>> Utd in the Champs League final next week (so Dick Advocaat says)! :-)
>
> That's why all the top clubs have pestered us for his signature over the 
> years eh?

He had clubs after him when he was at Blackburn. They realise now he's a 
home boy.

>> Seriously though you have to admit he is quality. Best midfielder in 
>> Scotland over the last 10 years.
>
> No...best Scottish midfielder over the last 10 years.  Big deal.  He's a 
> good player, used to be very good, never top class though.

Who has been a better midfielder playing in Scotland? Please don't say 
Petrov :-)