We at Ibrox Noise preached endlessly through the Spring that the only way to keep our momentum up and not do a ‘Liverpool’ was by signing new players with premium cash.
In Gerrard’s defence, he’s been gently scathing of the fact he was unable to do that this summer, and had no money whatsoever, resorting only to Bosmans.
Of course one of them is working out beautifully, while one other has some potential, but overall it’s not the signing work we needed and we’re more or less playing this season with mostly last season’s squad.
But that said, a social media post we delivered on our page did offer a further reason why we’ve struggled this campaign to hit the heights of last, and the readers agreed to a fault, bar one.
The absence of both Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield.
We’ll start with Arfield. The Canadian has simply lost favour, and Stevie isn’t interested in using him half as much now. He is effectively a squad player, dumped to the bench for use late in matches, and despite the fact he was outstanding for the bulk of last season, Arfield seems to have been abandoned by this manager. A manager, we must remember, who said ‘we love him’ about the ex-Burnley man.
That leadership void in the team is telling – there’s no big voice leading the players in advanced midfield, no gutsy work in the final third linking middle to front and no grafting and guiding. Arfield’s influence is more than just his play, it’s his inspiration and example. That’s gone, because he’s out of favour now.
Then we have Jack. In his case he’s suffered injury hell, and his influence in protection of the defence is dreadfully missed. Tavernier has been completely exposed at this level without Jack bailing him out, and the Scotland man’s return is still a bit away.
For as long as we don’t have Jack, we don’t have that anchor – Lundstram is magnificent but he’s not that kind of player. Jack is unique, and a huge reason why defence was ridiculous last season, up till his injury anyway.
Is it time then to reintroduce both of them?
We don’t know when Jack is back, so that’s in the hands of the Gods, but Arfield is also sorely missed. And he’s available, happily.
Again, that one is on Stevie.
Jermaine is also sitting there twiddling his thumbs, l would even rather than him starting or on the bench, he doesn’t go about saying he desperately wants to play in a higher league and still good for the odd goal, the buffalo looks out of shape whilst Defoe is as sharp as a tack, something really has to give, Roofe and Defoe , a double act that no too many fans would complain about
Hard to argue with you IN. Jack is a no brainier. He has been sorely missed. But Arfield has been discarded way too soon. I think if he played regularly he would be a key attacking player for us.
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