| Preston Reflection 17:38 - Dec 21 with 3748 views | bluenwhite10 |
A great result at HQ today in a game when we were a goal down would have possibly lost a few months ago.
A great atmosphere today rounded off by a great winner from Jimmy Dunne.
Looks like we have a bit of strength in depth obviously not up front but different options.
Only negative was the injury to Steve Cook who is a massive player for us.
Got what we deserved today against a poor side.
MOM today Morgan the young was quality but pushed closely by Varane.
Happy Xmas and Best Wishes to all fellow Rangers …. Come on you R’s | | | |  |
| Preston Reflection on 17:48 - Dec 21 with 3314 views | Hunterhoop |
Morgan and Field make this formation and shape work. We are playing an asymmetrical 4141 with Morgan further forward than Field, who are both ahead of Varane, who sits on his own. We’ve played this shape for a while but usually with Madsen in Morgan’s role. Early season, Field played at 6 and we had Madsen and Andersen in there ahead and it was a complete disaster.
In this shape with this personnel, Field and Morgan are the two central midfielders pushed further forward (in the 4). As such they need to have the legs to get up and down (two “8s” in old money) and the legs to get wide and create 2 on 1 situations out wide with the wingers (Saito and Smyth).
It requires a serious engine to execute this. And a lot of positional understanding/discipline to get back into shape when we lose it. I would wager both covered some serious distance today. Both were excellent. They make the whole shape work.
Smyth had an outstanding game too, it must be said. And Varane was excellent for the first hour but visibly tired.
Encouraging. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 18:02 - Dec 21 with 3189 views | CLAREMAN1995 |
Great detailed post here Hunterhoop thank you for the breakdown
Can you explain our recent first half performances they were pretty dire yet we seem to now have the ability to pull out draws and wins even from behind .
I really liked what I saw from Chair he looked miles away from last week and if he strikes form and Frey stays healthy we could keep moving up the table .
Gutted for Cook he was the heart of that team all season through ups and downs it was sickening to see him crumble like that.Fair play to him for walking off with assistance that was powerful image and the fans really responded | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 18:06 - Dec 21 with 3122 views | BlackCrowe |
Varane has developed to be a very prized asset. Can't remember since Derry, when we've had such a commanding and controlling midfielder. Keep it up please. | |
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| Preston Reflection on 18:17 - Dec 21 with 3018 views | BklynRanger |
High quality analysis aside we needed to have got 3 points against those gimps today. Thank god we eventually figured out how to. Moving in the right direction. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 18:29 - Dec 21 with 2862 views | Tonto |
Varane was MoM for me. Immense in midfield. Was hoping that thunderbastard would go in but alas. | |
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| Preston Reflection on 18:30 - Dec 21 with 2849 views | kensalriser |
I have a confession. It wasn't until I was almost level with the LR entrance on my way home today from my seat in the SB stand before I realised Madsen had not been involved. | |
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| Preston Reflection on 18:33 - Dec 21 with 2816 views | BrianMcCarthy |
"Morgan and Field make this formation and shape work. We are playing an asymmetrical 4141 with Morgan further forward than Field, who are both ahead of Varane, who sits on his own. We’ve played this shape for a while but usually with Madsen in Morgan’s role. Early season, Field played at 6 and we had Madsen and Andersen in there ahead and it was a complete disaster."
This is essentially the Cryuffian 433 we've often chatted about, descibed very well by you with regard to the assymetrical midfield. As you say, with us it's a 4141 at times, particularly out of possession.
I thought today was the first time that we really split the centre-backs and got our 6 playing as a true pivot. I agree that Varane is more suited to that role, and Field is more suited to 8. Morgan superb today at 10.
Can't underestand why Preston didn't close down Varane. They made it easy for him to play the ball out. He took full advantage.
You were also bang on about our non-tackling midfield. Thank God that seems to be changing, and the results are now coming. | |
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| Preston Reflection on 18:36 - Dec 21 with 2786 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
What is bizarre is why sign Madsen, who is slow, weak and appears to have zero energy.
I just hope we can get some money for him in the summer as I can't see him getting into this team. An 18yo has taken his place.
Also Saito, wouldn't sign him on a permanent. Watched him today, and he is too weak for the Championship. The difference Chair made when he came on was huge.
The plus side to all the injuries has been the opportunity for Morgan and Morrison. And they have grabbed it. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 19:28 - Dec 21 with 2446 views | sdm1508 |
Saito weak? Really? I have thought throughout he is a tough so and so. Gets back and puts pressure on the opposing team and often wins the ball back. When he has the ball he is a bugger to get off it even when defenders all over him | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 19:28 - Dec 21 with 2443 views | OldPedro |
Think teams are often putting 2 players on Saito when he gets the ball in recent games and forcing him backwards. We need to work on getting the ball to him in positions where he can go forward.
Still think he has lots to offer | |
| Extra mature cheddar......a simple cheese for a simple man |
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| Preston Reflection on 19:34 - Dec 21 with 2352 views | Wegerles_Stairs |
Thought we were poor in the first half, sitting back too much against a very average side. Deserved the win though for the second half performance. Kolli really is some talent - we need to get him a new contract ASAP.
Not to get carried away but this division, apart from the parachute payment teams, is very average. We're seven unbeaten despite not playing that well in most of those games. Play-offs, anyone?  [Post edited 21 Dec 19:35]
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| Preston Reflection on 19:40 - Dec 21 with 2291 views | Paddyhoops |
Think there was a few here on a downer after our last two displays.
Didn’t quite get that . We were very poor but still came out with four points.
Very unlucky to be one down at half time but we kept going and got our deserved 3 points .
Thought Chair and Paal combined brilliantly in the last ten minutes.
Changed the game.
Smyth is proving me wrong and is now looking like a championship player.
Morgan was outstanding as was varane .
Morrison is consistently good and as for Jimmy … well he likes a last minute winner. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 20:02 - Dec 21 with 2161 views | BrianMcCarthy |
If we'd won playing poorly today, I would still be down.
The best thing about today is that we played so well. I thought we were very good.
Gives us so much hope. | |
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| Preston Reflection on 20:21 - Dec 21 with 2035 views | Harbour |
My reflections get the fck in well done rangers great performance great win. Urssss | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 20:49 - Dec 21 with 1819 views | NorthantsHoop |
Great stuff today Rangers, super winning header by Dunne, loving it in the Loft End again! | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 21:07 - Dec 21 with 1654 views | stainrods_elbow |
I do rate Saito, but he was peripheral today, disappointingly. He seemed to be playing too deep and not getting ono the ball enough in threatening positions a la Smyth on the other side. That might be Marti's fault for the shape as much as the player's. Any views from the master tacticians here? | |
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| Preston Reflection on 21:13 - Dec 21 with 1647 views | slmrstid |
I think Saito just struggled against a very physical and quite quick full back today. He's still an excellent little player, him and Dembele still excite me but its their first season at this level so it will have high points and not so high points. I'd love us to sign him permanently. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 21:27 - Dec 21 with 1542 views | numptydumpty |
Get Saito signed i say.
Great little player.
Not his best game today hut he is often strong in challenges belying his size and has proved himself during this run of starts for him due to injuries to others.
We actually have options right now. | |
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| Preston Reflection on 21:33 - Dec 21 with 1496 views | CiderwithRsie |
Yeah, I've been delighted to get points with poor or, err, basic, performances, but worried that if we kept playing like that we'd sooner pr later get found out.
The opposite possibility was that a run of decent results would build confidence, give time for team-building, and that we'd start to get better.
Early days, but encouraging. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 22:14 - Dec 21 with 1293 views | JamesB1979 |
Agree. Love his positivity too. If we can, hope we sign him up. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 06:18 - Dec 22 with 861 views | Damo1962 |
So glad for you guys behind that goal...you have endured a lot 😎 | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 07:34 - Dec 22 with 728 views | Paddyhoops |
The performance today was definitely the most pleasing aspect . We got back to the levels we showed at Watford and to a certain degree , Norwich.
Three games in a week is always going to be a push for an injury ravaged squad and it showed against Oxford and Bristol.
The weeks break was a huge benefit. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 08:01 - Dec 22 with 669 views | Rsole |
There’s that damn, blasted hope - it’s loitering with intent again….
I think it would be good to see where we are after Norwich away and then take stock of the season to date.
If the performance and possession stats continue at these levels, then I would hope that we have turned a corner. Then there’s a January window of potential for further improvement to possibly enhance the return from injuries we have started to see (cross fingers we can manage the returnees back carefully).
We are, after all, effectively in yet another three game week and Preston were not great so we can assume the next two away games will be a big test, albeit with the incentive to rise above both of them AND really put Norwich back in their box, in front of their fans. That would be really satisfying and perhaps more significant for the remainder of the season. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 08:11 - Dec 22 with 631 views | StreathamRanger |
My son said that was his favourite game he's been to. Two goals right in front of us (one of them a last minute Jimmy Dunne winner), Sam Field and his water bottle antics and a lively crowd singing all the way down Loftus road on the way out. It's been a great few weeks. | | | |
| Preston Reflection on 09:22 - Dec 22 with 370 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
Loved Field tipping Woodmans water away. Funniest thing I've seen since the ballboys kept nicking the towels for the Milwall players to dry their hands on for long throws. | | | |
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