Rangers v Fiorentina

[RiseAgainst]

just remind me, what is Lionel "Total Football" Messi going to win this season?

[MrElectricOcean]

Originally Posted by RiseAgainst

can you explain how a team who cant even clear their lines deserve to win anything?

Maybe on the grounds they played a bit of football and didn't just stick a poacher up in the box and hope for the best.

[RiseAgainst]

Originally Posted by MrElectricOcean

I don't like Smith's tactics, I think they've been pretty shite this season (and somehow still got results)

So, if the tactics are shite, and the team plays shite....exactly how come we are in three competitions and have won one?

Were the tactics shite in Lyon? or winning two Old Firm games?

Ironically, Rangers' UEFA run maybe helping Dundee Utd out next season with the co-efficient. will you take United getting a better draw in Europe back out of principle for your dislike of Rangers?

[RiseAgainst]

Originally Posted by MrElectricOcean

Maybe on the grounds they played a bit of football and didn't just stick a poacher up in the box and hope for the best.

So the tactic of playing a poacher in the box worked yes?

all the lovely football counts for what when you cant clear your lines properly? (something you get taught very early in football training)

[MrElectricOcean]

Originally Posted by RiseAgainst

just remind me, what is Lionel "Total Football" Messi going to win this season?

Who gives a fuck, he's the pure damage, out shone Ronaldo on a big stage and showed he's head and shoulders above every other playerin the world.

[RiseAgainst]

Originally Posted by MrElectricOcean

Who gives a fuck, he's the pure damage, out shone Ronaldo on a big stage and showed he's head and shoulders above every other playerin the world.

im sure Ronaldo will cry himself to sleep every night on the way to the final. Shouldn't Messi have maybe been tracking Paul Scholes rather than standing watch him for the goal?

Im utter amazed you'd rather your team play well and get beat, than win a match.

at the end of the day, the record book says the same if a team plays the most amazing football in the world and wins 1-0, than if they play utter mince and win 1-0.

You dont get rewarded for great football, you get rewarded for results.

[MrElectricOcean]

Originally Posted by RiseAgainst

So, if the tactics are shite, and the team plays shite....exactly how come we are in three competitions and have won one?

Were the tactics shite in Lyon? or winning two Old Firm games?

Ironically, Rangers' UEFA run maybe helping Dundee Utd out next season with the co-efficient. will you take United getting a better draw in Europe back out of principle for your dislike of Rangers?

Nah I'll take it like, they keep winning in the UEFA cup so at least some good will come of it.

I just don't understand having the team under the cosh all the time. The central defenders are brilliant, why not make their job easier by getting the team playing a bit and keeping the ball and going forward rather than operating a system that is just to stop the other team scoring, and a goal is a bonus.

[MrElectricOcean]

Originally Posted by RiseAgainst

im sure Ronaldo will cry himself to sleep every night on the way to the final.

Im utter amazed you'd rather your team play well and get beat, than win a match.

at the end of the day, the record book says the same if a team plays the most amazing football in the world and wins 1-0, than if they play utter mince and win 1-0.

You dont get rewarded for great football, you get rewarded for results.

See this is where I don't agree. I know you get the money for results but people remember quality players and teams for quality performances, not just their results.

To me it's just a game of football I'm going to watch, it doesn't actually matter about the result as long as the game has been enjoyable.

I wouldn't say the same for sides battling relegation though when results really do matter.

[RiseAgainst]

im pretty sure if Rangers win the quadruple, they will be the most famous Rangers side ever.

Scotland's win in France will go down long in the memory, i remember some newspapers talking about it being the greatest moment in Scottish football. Yet Scotland played the same tactics as Rangers do.

Your right in the extent great players get remembered for great performances, but how many great players have played for smaller teams and get overlooked (see Matt Le Tissier for example) Being successful AND being a great player is what gets remembered.

This Rangers team will be remembered not for the style of play, but the fact they made a European final, and managed to be competing on all domestic fronts at the same time.

You cant argue that isn't an impressive achievement.

[MrElectricOcean]

Nah I won't, it is an impressive achievement. But I do genuinely believe they have the ability to remain solid while showing a bit more adventure, but Smith is too scared to try it.

[PeteRoe]

I dont think Smith is scared to try anything. I dont even think he has even contemplated changing it! He has found a tactic that works and I see no reason to change at the moment.

I think we can sum this one up with.

Neutrals = Cant stand watching Rangers games. Bores them to tears. Wanna see goals but wont get them so slag it.

Gers fans = Couldnt give a fuck as we are getting results.

Fair do's like. If I was watching Celtic do the same I would probably be negative about it. Can probably say that for a fact. Why deny that eh? Just like yourself with being a United fan. You lot did deserve more from the CIS Cup Final and I wouldnt expect anything else than what you have said about the Gers.

It is called being a football supporter aint it?

[Keerin]

Originally Posted by MrElectricOcean

Nah I won't, it is an impressive achievement. But I do genuinely believe they have the ability to remain solid while showing a bit more adventure, but Smith is too scared to try it.

That's true. Like you said before, our central defenders are solid, we could afford to let them defend without the 5 man midfield tracking back every time the opposition attempts to attack.

Like I said before, just now, I don't give a shit how we win, it's the fact that we do win! Next season, if we are still peddling the same turgid shite as we are just now then I will be disappointed. Don;t get me wrong, I still stand by what I say about Walter tactically, for a level headed neutral (if there is such a thing) who fully appreciated tactics, this would have been a masterclass of how to consistenlty punch above your weight and make better teams look shite.

For example, Lyon failed to react to our tactics and they got turned over, the return leg was a different story because they knew what to expect. Barcalona are used to teams defending for their life but not used to teams simply refusing to play football. Even poor Spanish teams will look to create some momentum with pssing and keeping possesion. How many times have you heard commentators say about Rangers "well they just haven't been able to get started"? They are not playing the same game, and it is getting the results, but it is really boring!

Werder Bremen, Panathanaikos and Fiorentina are all good teams, but they were unable to break down a 9 man defence which was quick on the counter. Not that Rangers always were (are) but they can be and it has caught these teams out. Except Fiorentina because there was no goals, but arguably, thats because Davis didn't pass! haha

[Keerin]

sorry, just realised how huge that post is.

also:

BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Prandelli blasts Rangers' tactics

lol