With Russell Martin now away, yesterday was a good chance to see exactly what the Rangers squad were capable of when unhampered by his terrible set-up. Stevie Smith set us up like I imagine most of us would want – on the front foot, variety of playing behind, into feet, more direct when open, moving the ball quickly, looking to pin them in and make chances.
The 1st half is probably as good as we’ve been this season but highlighted a lack of confidence or conviction to take a shot when things opened up. We could only really complain about not being more goals to the good.
It’s that 2nd half that showed what the real issues were with this group. United become more aggressive and we’re not wise enough to manage the game properly or up our tempo to match the aggression. Too slow to react – in fact did we even react? Stevie’s subs helped – only criticism was they were probably needed 10 minutes earlier.
The outcome is similar to what we’ve seen for a few years now. Phil ‘thumped’ plenty of teams with 30 shots still to be done by the team switching off twice a game and conceding some of the most ridiculous goals.
‘Mentality’ – Was Martin wrong? No, he only said it out loud. Do they drift off thinking they’ve got the job done? Is it a fitness issue when the concentration drops? Who knows?
At 60 minutes the Rangers team looked gassed out. EHL had a post this week stating that there is no gap now between the fitness of the top two and the rest in the league. In the last 5 years the fitness gap has closed so that advantage of hoping that other teams tire and we can pick them off at the end has gone. They’re doing it to us now. Trying to get fitness built mid season when you’ve got 2 games a week is a waste of a preseason.
Recruitment hasn’t helped us in the manner and structure it was carried out.
Two left backs out (three if you count young Fraser), one young loan in. In what recruitment structure is that deemed acceptable?
It looks like we were desperately trying to clear the decks because Martin already decided he needed everyone gone and just get anyone who said yes in for numbers.
I like the look of Cornelius and think he’d be a good left back for us too, but it’s the decision making of that Fernandez signing that blows me up. That’s a lot of money for us to spend. That money spent needs playing and leading straight away. Read Chermiti for that sentiment too. Aasgaard looks a player in and out of possession. A bench with more expensive loanees not good enough to give us what we need – it’s not difficult to criticise the recruitment. It’s actually hard to defend.
So what now? Have we as a club written off the league and Europe this year? Lack of stability is a problem, but the players in the 2nd half were the issue yesterday. What they faced in the 2nd half is what they’ll face every game this season. Our club needs to wise up quickly from top to bottom.