For me, I cannot help pondering the players brought in. When you look at the real problem areas we had last year, they still are not fully addressed.
Defensively, we were alright last year. Certainly not brilliant, but alright. Craig Moore, who this punter suspects may never be the same force he once was due to recurring back and hamstring problems hampering his mobility, was a negative last year, but obviously will not feature much even is a buyer is found for him.
With Boumsong and Andrews coming in this year, to join Khizanishvilli as well as the oft forgotten central defender Bob Malcolm (yes, he IS a central defender…NOT a midfielder!) the defense looks like it will work itself into an effective unit. The flanks look in acceptable condition, with Hutton and Ricksen (as an aside - were not Ricksen's media comments a little more destabilizing than Moore's, even taking the captaincy into account??) battling it out on the right and Ross in reserve, and Ball and Vanoli on the left. Ball seemed to be a key sign off the rut that infected the side last year - one hopes that the fire in his belly returns, and if it does not, one hopes that Vanoli gets an extended run in the side. McLeish clung onto Ball for far too long last year. It is interesting to note a Daily Record story reporting that McLeish must offload Ball, Ross and Moore in order to make the signings he requires…
In attack, the stocks look in the area of acceptability. Prso is a quality player, and it will be intriguing to see how the manager works players like Arveladze, Novo and Thompson into his plans. Arveladze was a workhorse last year, forced to endure far too much collecting of the ball from central areas…although he often looks so awkward, he is one of those players who has the ability to create from nothing. Burke and Lovenkrands will probably battle it out for berths as wingers - it would be a bold statement to play with the two of them too often. Burke should have the inside running for the job - he has the pace and trickery of Lovenkrands, but provides better service. It will be nice to see if playing second fiddle to the youngster brings the best out of the flying Dane, or if we see him throw his toys out of his cot and promptly fill in a transfer request!
As a side note, it would have been nice to see the emerging qualities of Steven MacLean nurtured for a little longer at Ibrox. I understand the need to bring in some transfer cash, however the peanuts he brought to the club were surely not worth losing a player so high on confidence after his exploits of last season. Instead, cover for the striker role is left to Namouchi and young Ross McCormack, himself an exciting enough prospect that the lure of cash is sure to see him suffer the same fate.
Which brings us to the problem area of last year, and a headache still to the look of this punter. Midfield is normally the area where you can see most teams win or lose games. It is a rare game where a side loses the battle in midfield and wins the game. Rangers lost all of their battles in midfield last season when they lost points. Mikel Arteta was sorely outgunned when it came to providing ball winning drive to the side, and could not find the runs of the players in front of him. Alex Rae will provide the steel that has been missing from central midfield, but who will provide the creative spark next to him? Who will take on defenses when they go to sleep…or split the defense with a well timed pass? Without Arteta or Ronald De Boer, there is a real lack of spark in the midfield…something that sorely needs to be addressed. The only other midfielders in the squad are Stephen Hughes, who showed glimpses of what he can do last year, but not consistently enough, and the injured Gavin Rae…more a holding player than an out and out box-to-box style. (at least, that is the case against quality opposition.)
Here then is the missing link. Without the solution to this conundrum, I fear all the purchasing and squad building to date has been meaningless. Don't be fooled by some good friendly results thus far. There was talk of Tim Cahill not long ago…talk also of Michael Brown before Spurs snatched him up.
Lets hope that talk resurfaces for this style of player…before we are frustrated by more square balls and lost possession in central areas…you know, just like last year. Recent triallists (Spycher, Zajac, Stewert) have not really been the sort of player we really should be looking for.
So - maybe it is a good sign that we have not signed them, eh??
Blue Dog Of Avoca