Hibernian 0-2 Rangers. Deconstructing Nikica

It is difficult to explain this game. Cyclothymic successive events, with low performances in our team, which ended with goals from Jelavic, the protagonist of the star of this chapter -14 goals in the season-. Winning in these conditions it becomes a joy as it flies more bitter memory the first half, my face turns, and the optimism of a powder.

Overall, our performance in the field has not been good at times has been poor, static, unproductive. We found it difficult to control the ball, just keep it. Yes, indeed, at the beginning of the match tried to play and progress by passing, but the ball did not come clear to the creators of the game and ended at the feet of Bartley, which is characterized by ductile with the ball. We must be clear that not having Naismith, Lafferty or Aluko is to give advantage to competitors. Beyond poverty in the game.

At first, the midfield had overpopulation that of a Chinese city at rush hour, Bartley´s presence could be marked for the exercise of pressure on the rival, retracing the dirty work in midfield, mainly out on the right. But Kyle is not the kind offensive player The Rangers needed to progress offensively and Jella supply and, in general, to attack.  To him it was ineffective in offensive transition, beyond that position was not assigned. Bartley is a great defender, with a bright future, I still think he can play in front of the central defenders, but he is overexposed in a position that he does not feel.

The low performance of Steven Davis, his shorts to the game, his sudden disappearance, showed the lean of our team. This raises the need not to depend on the vagaries of Davis and incorporate other creative resource.  Nor Edu could make a difference, ever given to physical play, trying to make progress on offense. Edu used to hit the network established by Hibs to cut our game.

During the first half, we came to the area of Hibs and we stayed static, irresolute, not knowing what to do.  This occurred, in part, by the local defensive display, with restraint, and in part by our inability to build something different, to surprise and hurt the opponent. Do not get the ball to Jelavic, who on several occasions he had to run to the left to receive the ball.

Waiting for the second time I looked, and thought, alone in the bench that can be link to the attackers (and also attack) is Bendiksen, in the absence of Fleck, could be another option. Dynamic, fast connections and a little sight, we needed. In short, “a wake up”.  But I was not clear who would enter the options I were collated Bartley or Edu. Immediately restarted the match and no income to the field on our team, the image of the camera perched on a Super-Ally hands looking Bendiksen, an explanation of the role he would play in the field. Bendiksen´s entry into the field to replace Bartley not only changed the game and gave freshness to the circulation, with more creativity, but coincided with the penalty. The Norwegian sought the gaps, and ran well positioned on all sides to seize the ball.

One certainty, finally. We have a prolific attack resource. Is a trademark, W: Wallace, Wylde (and both in the absence of Papac) used the left sid to outflank the defender of Hibernian. Gregg Wylde uses its speed and makes good centers. The second goal of Jelavic, Wylde did a brilliant cornet kick. At a time when a corner is difficult to see well done, Wylde was magnified because it was the heart of the area, and because we have a hunter in the area was initialed the second goal (here with Mica, us as shout to wake the rest to the neighborhood). And what about Lee Wallace, I think he should never leave the team, this portion of the field belongs, in condominium with Papac. Besides beign a disciplined player, a long-haul side, mark, overflows, and over to make him penalty.

This time I do not want to overwhelm readers with the number of tactical errors occurred in the match as they are strangely repeated and may have cost us the match. And finally, I want to say two things: For me, McGregor is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Each time, he has a brilliant save, which is impossible for any goalkeeper, he was rebuilt. And Super-Ally said after the victory, today Jella demonstrated important for our team. I would like to live Nikica stay at Ibrox, but if he leave from either end of the season, having scored more than twice as many goals as he did so far and with trophies in their hands.

Rangers 2-1 Dunfermline. Super-sonic champion

Last week, we asked all fans to the team a change of attitude. The defeat at Rugby Park was a metaphor for the free fall that reduced the gap in the standings with the second, whose name I do not remember. Football can be a sea of moods that cannot always be dealt with. Super-Ally, a veteran of a thousand battles, had to reorder the tabs, to alert the troops and surprise. And always successful. I think that´s resulting capacity.

The Dunfermiline came to defend, a relatively conservative scheme, which was based largely on the speed of their attacks and taking advantage of some sporadic moves to do harm. We had to move the game, assuming the role, it was time to leave behind the nightmare of Kilmarnock. So this is an interpretation of the deployment of our heavy artillery, predominantly young, with the inclusion of Bendiksen, Wylde, Aluko surrounding Jella.

At first, it was positive ball movement from side to side to find a place to deepen. It marked a change in attitude. It showed good circulation, with Wylde, a player of remarkable progress, with Edu, Davis, as a nexus of games, Bendiksen, running, pressing, and Aluko, with magic and talent. One of the symptoms of recovery is in the ascendant Davis. The Ulsterman was involved in the game, handing the ball clean and systematically sought to Jella, facing the goal. And one of the aspects that are not always in the development of games: he made the relay, when some of the up side, Davis covered it and so in general.

Long ago I see some fans a rejection Edu performance, often with solid arguments, and I think he showed at Ibrox enough for that rejection was delayed until further notice. Recently, I read on social networks all sorts of comment on Edu, who converged on the need for its sale in January. I think that would be a catastrophic mistake, a strategic mistake. Our team has no ball retrievers, put pressure on rivals and come out playing or giving in to their partners. Edu does that role with some degree of perfection. Yes, I can accept that Edu enamored of the ball and lost. Against The Pars, the American fought like a warrior in the midfield, was sacrificed for the team recovered the ball, it was not individualistic, progressed and judiciously distributed. Although, the performance was outstanding Aluko, superlative to be nominated man-of-the-match, Edu, no doubt, remains in place team pendulum.

Aluko is a valuable player when he takes the right flank speed, anything can happen. It is strange that a player with these features was without a club at this stage of the season. The Nigerian has been able to exploit the speed, talent and quality, was a danger to defender every time he faced the penalty area. “Super-Sonic” Aluko not afraid of the one by one, the places he gets free and he does not care if there is a rival defender.

The first half left, besides, two pearls, which have to do with goals. The effort and pressure of Thomas Kind Bendiksen, first Rangers starter in, ending with a gift overtaking Santa Claus. In this case, by the grace of Gallacher and Keddie, who inadvertedly diverted the ball into the net. The other pearl has Aluko as the protagonist. These movements persuasive, the “dynamics of the impossible”, he persuaded the referee: penalty. I looked in that action and I reminded Claudio Caniggia at its best.

One of the issues that concern me is the right side of defense, on the backs of Whittaker. This has been a problem so far of the season, often tinged with favorable results. I remember several different goals and circumstances. The Malmo goal came from that side, Hooper´s goal in the Old Firm, shooting distance of Foster to Aberdeen, from Cardle too, and so on. You let me sketch and argument, which could eventually refuted. Our team usually ahead in the field and Whittaker has been a benchmark in the offensive, to go up and join the attack or attack directly. That space was sometimes covered by Goian but at times we have been exposed. There in the foreground makes the need for relays, coordination and concentration to get good results. And do not go through smoothly. On the other hand, there are many distractions in the marking of opponents in the corners. One of these devolved altmost cost us a goal. There are two thems to work in the week to improve.

Finally, we win and get ready to enjoy this trip next Saturday against Hibs. WE ARE THE PEOPLE.