That Monday Morning Feeling - Get It Sorted Paul

Last updated : 18 September 2006 By Killie Billy

We didn't kick a ball for the first hour, we got back into it with our first serious attack of the game, then threw it away with our inability to cope with yet another bread 'n' butter cross into the six yard box.

For the first time since his arrival, I'm beginning to ask questions of Paul Le Guen.  There is a recurring theme to all the games we have failed to win.  With a centre-back pairing which doesn't begin to resemble a partnership, opponents know that all they have to do to cause mayhem is hump the ball into the middle and watch our lot struggle to cope.  What message do you think Strap-on will be preaching to his players this week? 

PLG arrived at Ibrox with an impeccable pedigree.  Having endured so much dross from Big Eck, we were entitled to expect so much more from the new boss and it must be said that, Sunday and maybe Dunfermline apart, the football has been better.  But this is a results business and draws with Dundee United, Dunfermline and Kilmarnock hinted that the future might not be as bright as we hoped it would be.

Being so completely outplayed by Hibs finally told me that all our pre-season optimism was actually over-confidence.  Whatever PLG has achieved in the past, it was done with better players.  The penny-pinching of the Murray-Bain regime has forced the new manager to make do with lesser players and, while tactical awareness and the shape of the team can mask many shortcomings, when push comes to shove there is no substitute for ability.

In that respect, Hibs were much better off at the heart of their defence with Martis and Jones, midfielders Brown and Stewart were allowed to boss Baz and Jeremy, we had no answer to the pace of Sproule, and Killen was streets ahead of Sebo as a centre-forward.  So it is hardly surprising that we spent so much of the afternoon pissing into the wind.

Paul Le Guen must now address the situation and get more out of the players, both individually and collectively.  Over the years, teams with lesser ability than Rangers have succeeded in getting results against us by virtue of good organisation, tactical know-how and willingness to work.  If we don't have the ability of our opponents, we have to compensate in other areas and, as a highly rated coach, this is where PLG must make his mark.

He would do himself and Rangers a big favour if he could settle on his best eleven.  Squad rotation might work for the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Lyon but these are sides who know what their first pick team is, then tinker with the line-up as and when required.  Rotation only works with a manager who knows what to expect of his players and, more importantly, who is confident in their ability to deliver.

We are well off the mark here.  I think Le Gaffer is still learning about his players but the time for experimentation has long since gone.  Now playing catch-up in the SPL, there is no room for error, the heat is on and, unless we can respond to the challenge, we could be heading for an action replay of last season.  Heaven forbid!

Like so many Bears, I'm not looking forward to the visit to the Piggery.  Having failed to score in the last four Old Firm games, we are hardly lilkely to have Sellick shaking in their shoes.  And when PLG persists in leaving his top striker out of the side, we should not be surprised to see our team struggle to get goals.

This is a big week for Rangers and, if we are to come out of it with our reputation intact, Paul Le Guen must come up with answers to some very searching questions.

Get it done, Paul.

KILLIE BILLY