There was so much to chew over in yesterday’s draw at Fir Park, but one of Ibrox Noise’s favourite players, Sean Goss, was certainly on the agenda for being benched as much as anything else.
There is no denying his form was slightly below par against Celtic and Kilmarnock, but this could apply to any number of players yet Goss was the one ditched to accommodate Graham Dorrans?
We have a number of issues with this:
First off, other players who go through leans spells seem immune to the chop. Think Alfredo Morelos, who has had a couple of barren periods yet only once was ever dropped. Also Josh Windass, if not scoring or assisting, is a passenger, plain and simple.
But these guys remain ever-present. And yet Goss, who had been one of our stand out performers, is sacrificed to fit in Dorrans in a position the ex-Scottish international is not suited for?
It’s a curious situation. We are all for trying new things, but taking out a deep-lying playmaker with defensive capabilities and replacing him with an attacking midfielder while not changing the shape was a gamble.
And one which didn’t pay off. It also cost Greg Docherty who, instead of concentrating on his own game and being able to rely on a steady partner behind and beside him, had to try and pick up double the defensive duties, and simply put, that didn’t work and wasn’t fair on him.
For his own part, Dorrans looked the same as he always has for Rangers – other than one good drive at the byline with a nifty nutmeg, he didn’t impose his game – we are still waiting for the Graham Dorrans we believe we signed, but in this case, he can get a free pass because he shouldn’t have been playing so deep.
Which leaves Goss. Graeme Murty has completely fixated himself, Warburton style, on one formation. In his case, the 4-2-3-1.
That forces a double pivot in front of defence – two defensive minded midfielders – one with the eye for a pass, the other with ‘grunt’ capabilities. Goss and Docherty fulfilled that well, even if the former hadn’t played so well recently.
Many questions were asked if Goss had to be dropped, and we’re not convinced about that, why Ross McCrorie didn’t start. And it’s a fair point. He’s impressed more in midfield than Dorrans has, and would have been more suitable for DM too.
As for Dorrans – he is best played in the three behind the striker – we have to accept Murty isn’t going to deviate from that formation so we have to assume it’s the skeletal structure of the team. Ergo, if he earns his start, one of the front three should make way, not a DM.
As it so happens, the problem may in fact have solved itself, with Josh Windass’ unfortunate injury – that gives Dorrans a foothold into the best position for him. And it would be up to him to prove he deserves to keep it.
As for DM? It seems Rangers now have five fit options there – Goss, Docherty, McCrorie, Rossiter and Holt.
At least there are options, but nevertheless, Goss must feel a little shortchanged at how he was been cast aside.
Goss has shown in recent weeks that he struggles in a physical match where he doesn’t get time on the ball therefore it makes perfect sense that he was not included in the team to face Motherwell. Also to be honest this is someone who can’t get a game for QPR. Not the quality we need.
Remember too that Goss will not be our player next year whereas Dorrans will. I like Goss but don't see why we should play and develop players for other clubs at the expense of our own, e.g. McCrorie at DM. Agree though that Dorrans should play further forward.
Agreed 👍⚽
Spot on Dexter!!
Best thing that happened was windass' "unfortunate injury", total passenger once again.
How good was their big #9? Something we lack big time.
For me there is no question he should have been dropped 3 weeks ago along with Moreles.
The two have been rank rotten.
There is one hell of a problem if we have players out on loan AGAIN who on my view, if they are scoring goals and providing assists in just about every game they play, must be given a chance Surely?
Hardie is only 1 player who possibly alongside CUMDOG could form a better partnership than we have.
Even Miller would be a better option. And that is NOT a good thing When we are trying to progress.
Dorrans? What the heck was all the panic about buying that guy?
YOUTH has again been one of the better things happened this year. Alves is trash compared to McCrorrie.
And while he's a hell of a long way to go, we miss Bates too.
Liam Burt could do a job as well.
Plus note how ST J have plummetted minus MOH?
Try and get the spelling right it's MORELOS and he's not been crap he's just not scoring goals it happens to all strikers,but he's still doing a decent job up front.
As opposed to someone who can't get a game for Norwich or Notts Forest or Brighton etc? Goss had one quiet game – against Celtic – and he's gone from being a classy operator to being useless. I wish every Rangers fan would get behind every Rangers player and maybe, especially at Ibrox, we might show a wee bit more belief in ourselves.
I've been a regular supporter of Murty on here as he’s been a better man than the last 2 Managers. Thought IN were far to critical at times of late because his Da supports Celtic or even Murty himself – couldn’t give a monkeys as long as Rangers win!
Only a couple of wks ago we had belief that we could even challenge for the title so that’s a massive improvement.
That said his utter failure to change formation and sticking to favourites is hurting Rangers big time. Sticking to the same formation is what cost the loaf man and it’s looking increasingly like Murty will follow him out the door.
Now GD will be a good signing for us if played in the right position when fit. How can he comeback from a lengthy spell out injured and be expected to play in that role is criminal. Motherwell are a physical Team so Goss would've been found lacking against them.
Only positive is they comeback from 2-0 down. It was the players who let Murty down with their first performance it’s him that carry’s the can but it’s his set up and Team selection so rightly so.
Major improvement needed for the Squad next season starting with a bloody good GK & Defence. If Murty doesn’t change his set up and stop being so stubborn a new Manager too by the looks of it..
Don’t agree with the Morelos battering but that’s for another day..
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