CoF

I tend sway on the side of being a happy clapper but I'm trying to limit expectations just now because it wouldn't surprise me if we are as gash as we were last season. Looking beyond the high's of the play-off's, we went into multiple 'must-win' games with a strong team and absolutely failed to show up. Our new superstars Marvin, Ainsworth and Pearson (granted, he was carrying knocks) were rotten in large parts of that run and I'm sure are more than capable of the same next season. Most questioned Baraclough's man management and attributed any good performance to Skippy and Pearson pulling the strings. Yep, we've added a few who are performing well at their level, but as many have found to their surprise - and I include Baraclough in this - the top flight of Scottish football is a tough league to compete in. I do like Baraclough's vision though. His attitude to fitness and conditioning is great and can give players that edge and he played a blinder in the play-offs. It's his ability to truly inspire and motivate that I'm not convinced of. On arrival he talked a very good game, however I often listen to him now thinking he's trotting out the Baraclough party line (positivity, positivity, positivity). I wonder how that comes across in the dressing room, particularly among the more senior players who will still be looking for inspiration. Of course I know his press conferences might not represent how he works with the players in any way. Anyway, prediction? Fuck knows.

Howd moult and clarky look?

Based on height? If he takes a few steps forward he's the same height as Mcmanus - which is spot on.

Assuming all these games are open doors?

Good press conference form Moult, full of confidence and sounds like he's got his head screwed on the right way. Looking forward to seeing the new signings in action.

I think that's a weird decision, should've been a red for Erwin in my opinion. If someone pushed a Motherwell player like that in the middle of a game, we'd be ragin' in the stands if the player stayed on the pitch. Johnstone's angle is all wrong though and the subsequent madness can't be pinned on Erwin. Each players conduct should be looked at in isolation. Erwin was initially in the wrong, but whatever happened after that is the responsibility of each individual player. Article reeks of seeth.

desperate to see the whole thing again, has the full 90 been uploaded anywhere?

As always, Alan Burrow's represented the club very well.

Honestly thought that was a parody piece until I googled Vanguard Bears. From their website -" Established in 2007, Vanguard Bears are a group of Loyalist & Unionist Rangers supporters, whose aims are to ensure that the good standing and unionist tradition of THE quintessential British Club is maintained, and to support the Protestant Unionist Loyalist community in Scotland, Ulster and beyond. Our motto "Defending Our Traditions" refers to this." O.....kay.

The guy's "whooaw" to Erwin's MENTAL shot in the last few seconds of that clip is absolutely hilarious. Think he blamed the flare burn for that one.

I agree. I'll be honest and say there was a point mid-season where I thought he might be a player that would be mentioned a few years down the line as someone who didn't quite make the grade. However to me, the last 3 months and especially the play-off's have been the Lee Erwin show - one goal, one assist, one penalty isn't a bad haul in 2 of the biggest games in the clubs history (+ one sore jaw and one quality interview, just to give him edge). What's changed? Scott McDonald. I don't think we can underestimate the impact a player like him can have on an impressionable and eager 21 year old and I reckon he's responsible for giving Erwin his recent swagger, confidence and petulance - the latter not necessarily a bad thing if it's used in the right way. To intentionally knock McCulloch over the hoardings when the ball was already running out can give strikers that psychological edge over big lumps in defence and as much as it's a wide move if that kind of gamesmanship is used right it can work wonders. £500k for an out of contract Erwin is a fair deal and if we are to become a selling club, we need players like McDonald on the pitch teaching the craft. I'll be absolutely gutted to see both go.

I had a skim through Rangers forums Nicky Law does not seem to be liked at all. Most seem to be hoping he'll be dropped for today's game. As many predicted, it seems like a completely wasted two years. I'm sure his bank balance looks great and as it's such a short career normally I don't blame a player for chasing the money but I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking he could have eventually ended up at least in a top half championship club if he'd prioritised his football development.

Yep, but for Rangers to commit men forward as equally crazy. I agree there is no need for anxiety, I just hope we don't have 8000 expectant 'well fans hoping for us to be getting rattled in from the first minute and getting tetchy if we decide to play the patient game.

Sounds good on paper but I reckon tomorrow is going to require a lot of patience from the stands. I can see Baraclough replicating Thursday's game plan - they need the goals and will have to commit men forward and we'll look to exploit the space in behind. Wouldn't surprise me if Mccall countered this by sitting back and trying to draw us out to have a battle in midfield as opposed to facing two banks of 4. Could end up a game of fucking chess so we (the fans) need to be prepared for that and not pass our anxiety on to the players. Regardless, I'm be shitting it. Rangers created a lot of decent chances the other day and that seems to have been looked over. I think we'll score at least one though.

Someone needs to pass out lyrics tomorrow - the mumbling at the end of each verse is hilarious.

My feelings exactly. Having a huge home support will be great however could also go against us in the saw way the crowd went against Rangers at Ibrox. I'm hoping 'well fans remain patient because we will be under pressure in this game and I anticipate won't press at all until the ball is in our own half. Ideally the party atmosphere will continue and any nerves in the crowd won't transfer onto the pitch. Speaking of party - can someone remind me of the wee Joshy Law / Nicky Law song?

Bit loud - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M585kmDvxc

Our wee contingent were fucking dynamite tonight. How did it come across on TV? Only disappointment was that there weren't 1000 more there. Just uploading a video to youtube - anyone else got some to share? Fire them on here.

no

Looking at how utterly rank the last Rangers line-up was that beat us (seriously, check that team out), I hope we don't have a repeat where ultimately the energy and venom from the crowd kick starts them and puts the shitters up us. One of my worst nights as a 'well fan for multiple reasons - tonight is time for some revenge.

More than happy with Josh Law signing up. Really found his feet in the last 3 months of the campaign. Was it an injury keeping him out the last few games?

Less than 48 hours to go, anyone got thoughts on the game as opposed to tickets, e-mails, riots etc? I'm shitting it and absolutely can't wait in equal measures. It's bizarre that despite seeing us score 1 and concede 6 in our last 3 away games, those results aren't bearing too much on my thoughts just now. It's a cliche - but games like this will see form out the window. Interested to see the line-up. Would like to see Laing in for O'Brien - it's a trade off between someone with game time but prone to absolute brainfarts and a steadier head who might not be match sharp. Tough call but I can see Laing coming back in after O'Brien's overhead contributions to the County and St Mirren games. While it wouldn't surprise me to see Dan come in for Long who, like O'Brien is fairly solid but a liaibility at times it might be too big an ask to come in at this stage so doubt Barraclough will make the change. If he does however, Twardzik at least seems like a character who would relish the challenge.

Keith on sportsound just now - was hoping he'd set the record straight in the clubs rationale behind the decision however he doesn't sound clear on why this decision's been made. Poor show imo. Can't see it happening but ideally we'll sell enough to open one of the away stand tiers to Motherwell fans - that would justify this decision in many other ways however that may depend on the result at Ibrox.

Delighted to get tickets for both legs today. Delighted to see so many Rangers fans turned away from the ticket office (I counted 7 before I got served). Delighted the club stood strong - but gutted to see so many 'well fans queuing up who will definitely be disappointed.

Might have got them on Saturday? Reports are folk being turned away today if not on the system.