Sunday's performance at Falkirk was yet one more unacceptable capitulation against a team who really shouldn't be able to compete with Rangers. As soon as they went in front, I just knew we were in for another one of those days and, shivering all the way through the 90 minutes, I was glad when the whistle blew to bring an end to it. If we were even playing now, we would still be firing blanks.
And to those who think things can't get any worse, I suggest you take a wee look at the fixture list. Hibs, Ra Sellick, then Dolly & Co lie in wait and they will all fancy their chances of turning Rangers over. And why shouldn't they?
Is there a single plus factor we can take out of the current mess we are in? If there is, I'm afraid its passing over my head. We lack every single factor necessary to turn things around. There is no fight in the team, there is no shape to our defence, there is no composure on the ball, there is no ruthless streak in front of goal, there is absolutely nothing to grasp to give us hope for the future.
I've always been prepared to give PLG time to sort things out but I'm afraid he is making far too many wrong decisions for my patience to continue for too much longer. Persisting with a system which is unsuited to the players is just plain madness. You can't make players fit the system, the system has to be suited to the players available and, whether he likes it or not, Le Gaffer must see that a basic 4-4-2 is the best option.
By all means change it when the circumstances change but, until then, we have to make do with what we have. With Boydie out for a few weeks, it looks like Filip Sebo will get a run in the starting line-up and he'd better realize that he is fast running out of last chances. Being stuck on the bench, then pitched into the team late in a game, has been a perfectly valid excuse for his poor form. But if there is no dramatic improvement in his play over the next couple of games he will have no hiding place.
Similarly, Karl Svensson can't be allowed to continue with his dithering at the back. Allowing attackers to collect the ball and turn before moving in on them is asking for trouble and we've had plenty of it. Whatever moves PLG has planned once the January transfer window opens, the signing of a no-nonsense centre-half is a must. I'm not convinced Russell Anderson or Steven Pressley (surely not!) are the answer to our worries. I'd much prefer to bring in someone from England, even if it means going down a league or two. I don't want us to sign the new Franz Beckenbauer, just a fully fit Marvin Andrews will do for me.
I'm reluctant to join in with the Scott Brown for Ibrox bandwagon. Baz, Jeremy Clement and Charlie Adam should be able to hold the midfield together, with Bardsley, Sionko, Burke, Novo, even Hutton capable of filling in on the right. But more than anything else, I want to see Hemdani in his natural midfield role, rather having to mop up after Svensson at the back.
As things stand, I'm seriously starting to have doubts about PLG. The chaos in our defence has been evident for months but, apart from shuffling the pack from week to week, he has done nothing to improve things. Surely we must have options within the reserves. All we ask is that we have a first-to-the-ball man at the heart of the defence, an if-in-doubt-hoof-it-out centre-back who ain't afraid of the physical stuff. Good God, it ain't rocket science but it appears to be beyond Le Gaffer's comprehension.
The league table is not a pleasant sight at this moment in time but I worry that it might be horrific at Christmas. If ever there was a time for the players to stand up and be counted, to turn on their critics and prove everyone wrong, that time is now. If they have it in them, they have to show it but I'm sadly beginning to believe it is beyond them.
Go on, prove me wrong - please!
KILLIE BILLY