If fans are agreed on any one thing right now, it is that a number of players did not deliver on Saturday.
From Alfredo Morelos’ patchy showing, to Josh Windass’ AWOL, to James Tavernier’s weakest display in some time, it was definitely a match where too many players did not perform highly enough to produce a result.
While it would probably be a bit kneejerk to make wholesale changes, especially given the gravity of tomorrow’s trip to Firhill, we would nevertheless hope Graeme Murty would not send out the same XI at 19:45 as he did at the weekend, but fear it will not be far off.
What changes?
We would leave the defence untouched. The fact is the depth of alternatives is not overly impressive, and the only alternative fullbacks following poor respective displays by both on Saturday are the unfit Lee Wallace and the unfancied Lee Hodson.
But midfield and attack should well see one or two alterations, but are unlikely to. Despite what fans are saying publicly, Jason Holt is not one of the team’s best players. He is technically insufficient, cannot tackle and cannot pass – he is a terrier and a nuisance and wins many free kicks, but we need more power in there. And that, for us, is where Greg Docherty comes in. But with Holt being captain, despite a poor display from him too against Lennon’s lot, we cannot see Murty keeping him benched. Especially if he gives Miller a start and the captaincy – Holt being benched and losing the captaincy at the same time would be a bit much.
Sean Goss had a good game, one of Rangers’ better players, and deserves to retain his place, certainly in absence of useful uninjured alternatives in all honesty. And unless the manager finally decides to try a different formation, which would surprise us, it is two of Holt, Goss and Docherty. We hope for the latter two, but expect the former.
Up front, Murphy should keep his place, while Windass should be a bench option – make him do damage if needed later on but regardless probably will start. Daniel Candeias had an adequate match on Saturday but not a great one, and we are undecided if we would keep him in – on balance, we probably would given the graft he would do against a dogged Thistle. We would start Jason Cummings in Windass’ role – he was isolated in both recent cameos, Fraserburgh and Hibs respectively, and was forced to come deeper to get the ball. Even against County his goal was from deep. We feel given a little freedom to roam he could do the same kind of work but more effectively but given he is yet to begin a 90, we would be surprised if he does tomorrow.
And up front? Morelos. This kid is a goalscorer but his head is in a weird place right now. But with the only (feasible) alternative Cummings struggling in the current formation, we would be reluctant to put him on his own up top. His best displays for Hibs were generally as a partnership, often with Malonga or Stokes supporting, and we are not 100% certain he can thrive as a lone striker. Hence sticking with the Colombian.
Then of course there is the Kenny Miller equation to add to proceedings. The veteran forward is back from injury and looks set to play a role tomorrow whether fans like it or not, and we cannot even begin to predict what is going to happen with him. We simply cannot call if he will start or not, but our instincts say yes.
We predict the same formation with Miller in Candeias’ place:
Foderingham; Tavernier, Bates, Martin, John; Holt, Goss; Murphy, Miller, Windass; Morelos.
The other possibility is Morelos benched, Candeias on the right and Miller the lone striker.
The fact is, with Miller’s return, all bets are off, and anyone who omits him from the XI is a braver supporter than us.
Who do you think Murty will pick?
Murty absolutely has to find a place for both Morelos AND Cummings. You cannot have two top forwards in your team like that and have one of them on the bench. Insane! Either they play up front together along with Murphy on the wing (a la Walters/Hateley/McCoist) or Cummings replaces Windass in that role. Whatever I want my two best strikers in the team playing from kick-off.
When we getting this second top forward to play with Morelos??
How about a diamond in midfield, with one holding to protect defence while FBs roam. Goss and Docherty in CM with Miller in behind Morelos and Cummings.
Windass, Candeias and Murphy on the bench if we want to change things. We are likely to get more space at Firhill, so a pity to lose the wingers, but this way you get support to the strikers from Miller yet still have bodies in midfield.
Mind you, that may have been a better formation against Hibs than Thistle
Think the line up (above) is pretty accurate to what the team will be 👍
its time to forget miller its also time to cash in on Morelos we dont need an unhappy player tearing the moral of an already damaged club apart we need to stop thinking we are the best things on sliced bread we need to respect lower placed clubs and play to our full potential that means each and every player giving 100% leaving everything on the park a positive mental attitude is required in every match and that comes from the top through the skipper through the senior players to the rest of the team we need to play as a team not as seprate egos as we did against Hibs we do that against thistle we will loose to them if we dont get second place this season murty has got to go and the board need to look at themselves
Some common sense on this site. Unusual.
Foderingham; Tavernier, Carodoso, Martin, John; Docherty, Goss; Murphy, Candias, Cummings; Morelos,, 4-4-2,,, Subs – Miller, Windass, Bates, Rossiter, Holt, Alnwick, Beerman.
Bates and Windass need to be benched! Miller should be sub. Give Martin the captains band.
Jimbo…
Spot on 2 off my squad.
Defo Martin captain pure leader.
Middleton in Cummings bench.
Wilson bench Bates gone.
Why play Miller or Bates there surely gone in the summer!!
How about we all get a reality check talking about sistems/formations etc ?
Doesn't really matter now as once again we drop more points at home and guess what, Murthy gets an easy ride Again!!!
We had a great opportunity to get closer to that lot after killie's great win but failed abbysmally by losing once again at home under Murty,his lack of management skills as first team coach is there for all to see,we were so poor in the 1st half on Saturday that he should have had subs on long before he actually put them on(70mins)……
But the people to Blame for putting Murty in charge and getting it Spectacularly wrong Again…..The Board…..Rant over but still pissed off watp
Agree 100% Dave the substitutions on Saturday were woefully late not allowing Cummings or Docherty to influence and win the game all due to Murtys lack of management skills I do hope Jimmy Nicholl becomes more vocal in the decision making process .
I do hope he starts Docherty and drops Holt he contributes nothing sorry nice guy good engine but no skill. Cummings also has to start in place of Windass . Not fussy if KM is on the bench but would keep Murphy Goss and Candelias. Need to win very strongly with at least 3/4 goals
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