MelvinBragg

Could be any one of several players at right back. Carswell, Lasley or Hammell. My guess is Hammell...

Nope, if they're contracted to another club, we can't sign them. Lower leagues in England have a "loan window". No such loopholes up here...

Don't kid yourself, you bought into the early season optimism like the rest of us. It didn't pan out as we hoped but it looked promising. I liked his idea of blooding the youngsters and giving them time to learn on the job. If he could have found a way of doing that without alienating others at the club, it could have worked out a lot differently. No respecter of sacred cows. Always questioning the authorities Giving young players a chance. It was his way or you were out. Sounds a lot like Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen to me...

Really? Is it too much of a stretch to ask people to go two hours without a drink?

Always happens during the international break. Another reason to hate international football...

This isn't a "we should sign him" post, more just something that caught my eye. I see Steve Jennings was released last night. I'll be interested to see where he ends up...

When Lawson signed, I must confess I found it a strange signing given Carswell had not long signed a new deal. Not the priority was my first instinct. But last season we had four players who could play centre midfield (Law, Lasley, Hateley and Carswell). This season we have three including Lawson (could you include Vigurs there making it four? Not sure). Had we not signed Lawson, we could be pretty thin in midfield. Are there young centre midfielders at the club that are ready to step up that he's keeping off the bench? I don't know. Could have we got a cheaper option had we known Carswell would grasp his opportunity? Possibly but the fact that we have a proven SPL player on the bench will keep Lasley and Carswell on their toes more than a cheaper option, you would hope. Pretty sure Lawson will contribute plenty in his time here. Let's not complain about having a bit of squad depth..

It was suggested to me last night that McManus and Hutchinson have been a bit shaky due to lack of confidence in Hollis. I'd argue that doesn't seem to be the case as they're happy to play him the ball in tight situations. On the coming for crosses issue, a couple of points. If he's not confident, then he should stay on his line and let the defence deal with it. With the two central defenders we have, added to Ramsden and Sutton at set pieces, we shouldn't be allowing too many free headers anyway...

Don't disagree with a word of this..

There is a simple reason McFadden shouldn't be benched. Even in poor form, Kilmarnock put two guys on him yesterday. The same reason it was always useful having Humphrey in the team even if he was having one of "those" days crossing wise.. Has McFadden been good this season? No. Has he been as bad as some are making out or is he being judged to a higher standard? That's another question...

Better today. Great? No. But signs things are getting there. Some lovely passing moves that didn't quite come off. Defensively, work to be done but if we can cut out individual errors, it'd go a long way. Individual performances? Not many true stinkers. Hutchinson had a poor first half. Vigurs and McFadden, while not fantastic, showed nice touches. The challenge will be to get the best out of them, as they're both clearly technically gifted (couple of Vigurs' passes today really impressed me). For me, guys who just need to keep doing what they're doing. Lasley, Carswell, Sutton, Anier and Ramsden. None of these guys are letting us, or themselves, down. And finally, Hollis. Whether you think he should be first choice or not, he's making good saves. Does he command his box like Randolph or Ruddy did? No, but bit unfair to be comparing him to guys in the England and Ireland squads. For me, he's a competent SPL keeper. With more experience and games, we might find he develops into more than that. All I know is that the sharp intake of breath you hear when he's called upon can't be helping. Give the guy a run of games before writing him off...

Two or three candidates stood out for me, all mentioned already. Sutton. Big John Handsome might not score as many as Higdon did but his workrate, link up play and habit of scoring "strikers" goals means he's crucial. Give him service in the penalty box and he'll score. I make it two goals and an assist so far (but for a great Samson save today and the post against Krasnodar, could be talking four goals). Great game from the big man. Carswell. I was worried when Lawson signed that once again he'd be stuck on the bench. No slight on Lawson, but I reckon Carswell, like Hollis, has waited for his chance. And he's taken it this season. On current form, one of the first names on the teamsheet. But I'll go for Lasley. Was everywhere today. I'll admit to thinking that we might see him play less this season as the years caught up with him. Obviously it's early in the season but making me eat my words. In the last few minutes today, he was still charging down the right wing and winning a throw in. And that's before I mention the assist for the first goal...

Hilariously as well, it's pretty much all free agents that Rangers are looking to pick up so transfer window doesn't really apply. If they wanted to sign, for example, Tom Hateley on Monday morning then they could with no problem...

Not to suggest the group I was with were drunk the last time we were at Livingston in the league cup, but I recall getting a taxi from Almondvale shopping centre to the stadium because we weren't sure we'd be able to find our way to the stadium 200 yards away.. Also seem to recall Mitch getting bitten on the cheek. Not by myself, U hasten to add...

As I said in the Ins & Outs thread, we now have a couple of options at least. Up front, it's a tricky one. Anier has looked good, but would he be suited to leading the line? Can he hold up the ball and bring others into play? I'd rather see McFadden playing centrally in a 4231 (or as Tweed points out a 4411 when we don't have the ball). So my real selection dilemmas would be left wing and up front? On the left, do you go with Vigurs or Angol (could Anier play there?). And up front, Sutton or Anier. Don't really know which way I'd go but if it's not working, now we have ways to change it that don't involve putting on a defender at right midfield...

Surely not? SFA keeping their offices open late? Cue Rangers' fans conspiracies that their embargo ends on September 1st and the SFA are trying to stop them from signing anyone on Monday...

Fast but crossing variable? Chris Humphrey a couple of seasons ago then. If he's equally adept at getting us from our own half to the edge of the opposition box, I can live with a couple of flaws. If he was perfect, we wouldn't be able to get him in on loan..

Other bonus in playing McFadden as an an attacking centre midfielder is that it puts our best footballer at the heart of the team. Should ensure better supply for Ainsworth, Vigurs and Angol in attacking situations. Which in turn should benefit Sutton and Anier who've been feeding on scraps. We created our best chances on Saturday when McFadden was playing centrally...

I think McCall will try and revert to his 4231. Possibly looking at Hollis Ramsden Hutchison McManus Hammell Carswell/Lawson Lasley Ainsworth McFadden Vigurs/Angol Sutton/Anier Obviously that sees McFadden play in the position Ojamaa played last season and he doesn't have the same pace but it lessens his defensive duties and it gets him closer to Sutton or Anier, either to be available when Sutton takes the ball in on his chest and is looking for options or to thread the ball through for Anier, depending on which way McCall goes in a particular game... Given there are three either/ors in the lineup I posted, at least we now have some options...

Thing is, entering the league cup at the last 16 stage, even seeded, chances of getting a really easy tie are slim...

I'll admit that McFadden wasn't great but not tracking back?? I seem to recall him winning the ball back in the right back position several times in the second half...

For me Carswell looked decent. More mobile than our other midfield options...

While I agree changing the team again isn't ideal, glad to see Carswell get a start..

Bit early in the school year, Mitch, but report card says: must try harder...

Bear in mind, 11pm on a Sunday the pubs will be about shut so you'd be forced to watch it in the house. Never good...