Having done the Match Threads now for way too f*cking long a good few years, it had given me an insight into how the team progresses year on year, as I often have to go back to corresponding fixture in years gone by to get graphic assets etc. Last Friday's Stranraer game was a bit of an eye opener for me as it really brought it home just how much we have improved over last season. I was going to post then, but in the end I decided to wait for tomorrow nights game to draw the comparisons as they are both the 39th game of our season, and both fall on Match Day 22 in the Premiership.
This time last year we were looking to face Kilmarnock away for Match Day 22 of the Scottish Premiership.
We had yet to win more than three games on the trot that season, a feat we managed just the once up until Match Day 22, with three wins against at home to Rapid Vienna (3-1), home to Hearts (3-1) and away to Hamilton (1-4). We would have to wait until the 6th of February before we managed four wins in a row, and until the 2-0 victory at home to Celtic on the 12th May before we managed to hit six in a row. All in all last season we managed to put together two runs of three wins, one run of four and one of six.
This year we are at home for Match Day 22, and things are looking a lot rosier.
We are on our fourth run of over five winning games, with one of them extending to a run of six, being denied the seven by the superb 2-2 draw away to Feyenoord. Our longest run without a victory was the three game run in December, drawing 2-2 away to Aberdeen, losing 1-0 at Hampden to Celtic in the League Cup Final before drawing 1-1 at home with Young Boys. Contrast with last season, where by this point last season we had repeated that feat three times and you can see how we have changed.
Now, let us take a look at the League Tables. We found ourselves coming into Match Day 22 sitting in second place behind Celtic on goal difference, although they had a game in hand.
This year, we once again find ourselves in second place, however this year we are the team with a game in hand, and we have the exact same goal difference.
Let's take a closer look at our results over the two periods.
This time last year we had played twenty one league games, winning just twelve, drawing six and losing three. We had a goal difference of twenty seven and sat on forty two points.
This year, things are different.
We have played two games less at nineteen games, winning sixteen (four more than last season), drawing two (four less than last season) and losing the solitary one game (down two on last season). We have a goal difference of forty two (up fifteen goals on last season) and have a total of fifty points - that is an eight point increase on this stage last season despite having played two games less.
Looking across all competitions, we have improved in each and every one from last season. The League Cup - last season saw us fall at Hampden to Aberdeen 1-0 in the Semi Final, this season we reached the Final where we outplayed last years winners Celtic and were eventually defeated by an offside goal. The Europa League - Last season saw us leave the competition at the group stages. This season? We navigated a very difficult group with very strong opposition (Porto, Feyenoord and Young Boys) and made it through to the knock out phases where we will face Braga next month.
In total, across all competitions last season we had the following stats heading into Match Day 22:
Now, have a look at this seasons stats from all competitions:
What can I say, the improvement is there for all to see. A 50% reduction in games lost or drawn over last season. An approximate 50% increase in games won. 23 more goals scored, and 8 less conceded.
"What a difference a year makes" the saying goes. Not bloody half when you are talking about Rangers, and our continued improvement under Steven Gerrard and his Staff. Long may it continue, and I think it will, they will demand no less.
Things are looking good, we just have to hope we kick on now like we didn't last season. I don't think this current Rangers team and more especially Gerrard will allow anything but. 55 is coming, I can almost f*cking taste it.
This time last year we were looking to face Kilmarnock away for Match Day 22 of the Scottish Premiership.
We had yet to win more than three games on the trot that season, a feat we managed just the once up until Match Day 22, with three wins against at home to Rapid Vienna (3-1), home to Hearts (3-1) and away to Hamilton (1-4). We would have to wait until the 6th of February before we managed four wins in a row, and until the 2-0 victory at home to Celtic on the 12th May before we managed to hit six in a row. All in all last season we managed to put together two runs of three wins, one run of four and one of six.
This year we are at home for Match Day 22, and things are looking a lot rosier.
We are on our fourth run of over five winning games, with one of them extending to a run of six, being denied the seven by the superb 2-2 draw away to Feyenoord. Our longest run without a victory was the three game run in December, drawing 2-2 away to Aberdeen, losing 1-0 at Hampden to Celtic in the League Cup Final before drawing 1-1 at home with Young Boys. Contrast with last season, where by this point last season we had repeated that feat three times and you can see how we have changed.
Now, let us take a look at the League Tables. We found ourselves coming into Match Day 22 sitting in second place behind Celtic on goal difference, although they had a game in hand.
This year, we once again find ourselves in second place, however this year we are the team with a game in hand, and we have the exact same goal difference.
Let's take a closer look at our results over the two periods.
This time last year we had played twenty one league games, winning just twelve, drawing six and losing three. We had a goal difference of twenty seven and sat on forty two points.
This year, things are different.
We have played two games less at nineteen games, winning sixteen (four more than last season), drawing two (four less than last season) and losing the solitary one game (down two on last season). We have a goal difference of forty two (up fifteen goals on last season) and have a total of fifty points - that is an eight point increase on this stage last season despite having played two games less.
Looking across all competitions, we have improved in each and every one from last season. The League Cup - last season saw us fall at Hampden to Aberdeen 1-0 in the Semi Final, this season we reached the Final where we outplayed last years winners Celtic and were eventually defeated by an offside goal. The Europa League - Last season saw us leave the competition at the group stages. This season? We navigated a very difficult group with very strong opposition (Porto, Feyenoord and Young Boys) and made it through to the knock out phases where we will face Braga next month.
In total, across all competitions last season we had the following stats heading into Match Day 22:
Now, have a look at this seasons stats from all competitions:
What can I say, the improvement is there for all to see. A 50% reduction in games lost or drawn over last season. An approximate 50% increase in games won. 23 more goals scored, and 8 less conceded.
"What a difference a year makes" the saying goes. Not bloody half when you are talking about Rangers, and our continued improvement under Steven Gerrard and his Staff. Long may it continue, and I think it will, they will demand no less.
Things are looking good, we just have to hope we kick on now like we didn't last season. I don't think this current Rangers team and more especially Gerrard will allow anything but. 55 is coming, I can almost f*cking taste it.
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