Jay

Bit of a strange statement released by the club via the official site. Struggling to work out what the point in it is.

Agreed. Just about every Rangers fan will tell you they're absolutely horrific at the back. Go at them and we will score goals.

As have I. I've also been to plenty of games against them where we have turned up and have lost the game, drawn the game, or had a result taken from us due to a shite refereeing decision or bit of bad luck. However, the fundamental difference is that in every single one of those games, the Rangers line-up was considerably better than ours with better players in the starting eleven, better back-ups on the bench, and, more often than not, a better run of SPL form going into the game. No one can possibly convince me that our starting eleven is anything but better than the Rangers starting eleven, man for man. They are there for the taking. Obviously football is unpredictable which is why I have said I expect to win rather than we will win, however this idea that we're going to get horsed on Wednesday because of past results isn't a solid argument IMO, simply because Wednesday's scenario is incomparable with previous games. Again, as have I. And there have been a number of embarrassing defeats and early exits against lower league games, which is why I mentioned that there's a real chance of defeat on Wednesday, like in any game. However, I went into everyone of those matches against lower league sides expecting the victory. It'll be interesting if McCall comes out today or tomorrow and talks down our chances like usual. It'll give Motherwell fans the chance to berate him for talking us down rather than doing it themselves.

Having a look at Rangers Media, the Rangers team will likely be unchanged from yesterday and will therefore be, I believe: Alexander Faure --- Perry --- Cribari --- Wallace Argyriou --- Black --- Shiels --- MacLeod --- McKay McCulloch As much as I understand the uncertainty and anxiety before a trip to Ibrox based on our past form, that's a team we should be beating and I'll be turning up on Wednesday fully expecting us to do so. Alexander's obviously a very decent SPL goalkeeper, and the likes of Wallace, Black and Shiels are top six quality. McCulloch has gradually been used more defensively as he's aged and gotten slower, so while his experience and ability to bully defenders will be an issue (allied to the fact he's almost certain to score) his lack of mobility and pace won't be. Outwith those players, who are we actually facing here? Perry, MacLeod and McKay are youngsters who might look half decent (and regularly don't look decent) against Third Division part-timers. That leaves the foreign contingent. Sebastian Faure barely played a first team game before joining Rangers, Anestis Argyriou played a handful of games over five years in Greece, and Emilson Cribari has only played a few times over the past couple of years. None of these players have any experience of Scottish football outwith the Third Division and Challenge Cup (playing in teams that have failed to win away from home in the league, and have been knocked out of the cup). McCoist can brief them all day about how big a step up it is, but none of these players will have any idea of how good SPL players are (in comparison to the bottom division) until Wednesday night. I reckon that's a crucial point and one we should take full example of. Outwith those players, there's the likes of Sandaza and Kyle (both of whom the Rangers support have been berating as hopeless so far this season) and other youngsters who'd be squad players (if that) in most decent SPL sides. It's a cup tie away from home against a side that has players like Shiels and Wallace who are good quality SPL players, and the likes of McCulloch who will pose a threat up front. In any game of football there's a chance of a defeat and there's a very real chance here. But putting aside all the fear and worry about a trip to Ibrox aside, I expect us to go through on Wednesday night. The biggest worry from the Rangers support is that their defence is ganting. That's their take on it. Take the game to them early on, start at a quick tempo, and get in about a dodgy defence (featuring two players with no idea about the level of player they're coming up against), and there's no reason why we can't get a couple of early goals. From there, the home support get on their backs and it's shooty in. It almost feels like it's taboo amongst Motherwell fans to talk about expecting a win on Wednesday night. But that's exactly what I do expect.

3-1 Motherwell. Cannae wait.

Andy Walker. Not a great but still fairly notable. Paul Lambert.

Personally, I cannae wait til Wednesday now I've got my ticket.

Just back from Fir Park after buying our eleven tickets (including one for an Aberdeen fan who's coming to support the SPL side - at least when most of our fans don't fancy going to support the 'Well, there's fans of other clubs available as replacements! ). Anyway, the chat is we're now about the 500 tickets sold mark. I'd expect with folk buying some over weekend, others leaving it to last minute, and a few still to make up their minds, I think around the 700 mark would be a good guess. A decent enough away support for a televised midweek trip to that shitehole. I'd still urge anyone considering it to bite the bullet and go support Motherwell though.

To be honest mate, I have absolutely no idea on this one! I go to Ibrox and Celtic Park for the 'Well games more often than not anyway and when the draw was made there was absolutely no chance of me missing it - but I understand why there are a lot of folk who'd rather give it a miss. It's really hard to judge I reckon! Originally, I would have said about 700 odds. However, if the number quoted today is correct and we've sold over 300 by lunchtime today - do we realistically think that we'll have sold around half of our final away crowd a full week before the match? I'd doubt that - as I said before, I'm nipping over for our 10 tickets on Friday, I know the ticket office is open on Saturday for people, and I'd image plenty of folks will pick their tickets up closer to the match, or even make the decision at the last minute. So, if we have genuinely sold 300+ already, I'd be hopeful for hitting the 1,000 mark which I'd be happy with. Assuming the majority of that 1,000 are there for a bounce, a wind-up, and a sing-song obviously... That really wouldn't surprise me. All the shite online from Currants boasting about their big revenge are just internet rockets, many of whom are rarely near Ibrox. They will fully expect to have their arses handed to them and I'd imagine that prospect being far too much to stomach for a lot of them. Not sure we'd be looking at a sub 20,000 crowd - there's still the prospect of beating an SPL club there - but I can't imagine it being a sell-out. This idea that it's going to be a cauldron of vicious atmosphere is nonsense IMO. There'll be about 5,000 left when Higdon puts us 3-0 up on the hour mark anyway.

Funny you should mention Braveheart... I think our provisional plan was a booze in the Park Bar (quality wee Scottish boozer). I love the place anyway but the added Scottishness means there'll be no h**s kicking about! From there, I'd estimate a 20-30 minute walk to Ibrox. Not the final plans by any means - just the thoughts at the moment! Open to suggestions! Would still be open to the subway if folk are game - still reckon it would be a shout to booze in the West End before the subway though, thus coming in from the other direction rather than through the Southside. There's ten of us going (although a few are going straight to the game from work) so bolstering the numbers before heading into deepest, darkest Govan is a good shout!

If we'd sold over 300 by lunchtime today, there's no way we'll only take around 500 fans next week.

Wouldn't imagine any figures so far would be particularly relevant given there's still a week til the game. After the weekend, numbers might be more worthwhile. Hardly any rush to snap them up, I'll be going over on Friday for ten tickets.

I was kidding FFS. I know some people need smilies to indicate whether or not a point's made in jest, but I'd hoped the more ridiculous stuff was obvious enough. If we lose next Wednesday it's because we're complete and utter bottle merchants.

As much as I agree, tactically I think Murphy would be the best move. The Rangers defence is slow as fuck and the newer signings won't be used to dealing with fast SPL players. He doesn't need to play particularly well against them to benefit the team and cause their defence worries. I'd hope we would be lining up with Higdon surrounded by our faster players (apart from Omar Daley).

Aye, cos becoming a parody of yourself crying "wur doomed!" before every Motherwell match is belting chat.

Yes. That's my point. Up until now I've obviously dismissed it as nonsense. If we can't beat the Currants even in the state they're now in, I'll view it as fact.

If we don't win on Wednesday, I will firmly believe all the chat from other fans that we actively and deliberately lie down to the Currants on every occasion.

We'll fucking horse that Third Division diddy mob.

Aye.

Unlikely. Got back from Dundee in time to catch the last 20 mins on BBC Alba in the Leccy and there was a 'Well fan (who hadn't been at the game) standing at the bar slating Higdon. Eventually I just had to give up and move away as it was pretty clear Higdon could score 100 goals before Christmas and still be regarded as shite by this guy.

Strongest line-up possible please. The idea that we should risk the treble by playing a weakened team simply because we're up against a newly formed Division 3 diddy mob strikes me as madness.

I wouldn't be happy but I'd be largely indifferent.

Exactly. If he's not wearing claret and amber I couldn't really give a toss where he goes, whether it's Aberdeen or not.

We can. This isn't transfer window Supermarket Sweep where managers race around trying to fill up their trolleys with as many football players as possible before the time runs out. McCall hasn't found anyone worth signing, I'm perfectly happy with that. No we don't.