MOTM Poll Aberdeen v Rangers - 12:30 Saturday - Sky Sports

[BlueSeaOfIbrox]

You must be kidding.

Pittodrie.
First day.

Strongest team and go get the result.

1st game of the season away to Aberdeen and you want to give youth players a try out.

never said I wanted that to happen but I can see the logic behind it, No real strikers for the sheep, if the rest of our team is on point then our CB's should have one of the more relaxing games this season - and if our team isn't on point then we have bigger troubles to worry about.

Just because I could see the logic behind it if we do go with a new CB partnership doesn't mean I would personally do it ,

 

[Chester Loyal]

Big call from the gaffer starting Balogun. Have to feel sorry for big Edmundson who’s performed very well in pre season so far.

 

[Walker54]

Bit harsh on Edmondson imo but haven't seen the other fella play so he might be really good

 

[ibrox1975]

Edmundson has to play in Leverkusen. He's simply being rested for then. No big deal, Balogun is more than good enough to deal with any threat Aberdeen have to offer.

Hellander maybe

 

[gi joe]

For Balogun to start after a weeks training, not playing in any friendlies he must have impressed

Hope it doesn't end up like Kent's first game last season.

 

[MearnsUnionist]

That back 4 is honking.

Plenty height though and their danger will come from set pieces, as per usual.

 

[Yer da]

Very harsh on Edmunson

Just goes to show that the notion of Gerrard picking players on merit is nothing more than a sound bite when he’s playing a new guy who’s barely been here ahead of someone who’s done well in pre season

You mean the guy he watches in training all week, aye? He's picked the best players for the job here. Sentiment can get right in the bin.

 

[david1982]

Very harsh on Edmunson

Just goes to show that the notion of Gerrard picking players on merit is nothing more than a sound bite when he’s playing a new guy who’s barely been here ahead of someone who’s done well in pre season

Or it could be with Thursday in mind......

The result will determine whether it was the right or wrong decision.

 

[Burton blue]

I think we will score a few today... 5-0

Let’s hope we don’t start sloppy give away a silly goal and then start to panic

 

[Chimo]

Is Davis injured?

Yeah, should be available for Thursday though.

 

[The Underfaker]

I think we will score a few today... 5-0

Have you got a price for that ?

 

[GF7]

I've missed a good match thread. More ups and downs than a roller coaster.

Really curious to see Balogun, thought Helander would have be on the team sheet.

Young but talented midfield. Expecting big big things from Ryan Jack this season

 

[dt17]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

 

[Gascoigne]

Edmundonson must wonder what he has to do, hasn’t put a foot wrong pre season and humped out the side on day 1

That's not quite 100% true, I think it was the Lyon game where he looked a wee bit shakey, he can be a colossus one minute, and clumsy the next, I think he is a good no nonsense defender and will be a big player for us but he's not the finished article yet. Plus he'll be playing on Thursday and will have another chance to impress.

 

[cambie gers]

Is Davis injured?

Yep. Gerrard said yesterday he should be back for Thursday. Achilles injury.

 

[ald]

As predicted

Can’t argue with your info! Balogun over Edmundson is a bit of a head scratcher. I guess he must have really impressed in training because Edmundson has done nothing wrong in pre-season. Still quite a ballsy decision by Gerrard.

 

[Realger34]

Was really really confident all week, now my arse is making buttons

God I’ve missed this feeling!

 

[Yer da]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

Wigan only got relegated because of the points deduction. They were one of the best teams in the Championship defensively with Balogun in the side.

 

[Broxi1985]

For Balogun to start after a weeks training, not playing in any friendlies he must have impressed

Hes been playing for Wigan so will be fit

 

[CR5]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

I really wish people would just not speak on things they know nothing about.

 

[Gascoigne]

I've missed a good match thread. More ups and downs than a roller coaster.

Really curious to see Balogun, thought Helander would have be on the team sheet.

Young but talented midfield. Expecting big big things from Ryan Jack this season

I think Helander is still struggling tbh, he looked slower than normal when he came on against Coventry. This has maybe just come a bit soon for him.

 

[StaunchEnclosure]

Love our front 4 and then the control from the holding midfield in Jack and Kamara

 

[GimmeShelter]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

Was the best defender in the championship, SG said he impressed so much in training this week.

 

[BriggsBear87]

Is Davis injured?

Achilles. Back to full training Mon/Tues

 

[JD1872]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

They got relegated because of a points deduction and had almost the best defensive record in the league once he joined in January

 

[Robocop1960]

I'm gonna go against the grain and say this isn't the game for Balogun his weaknesses play right in to Aberdeen's strengths

Not being funny but what are his weaknesses?

 

[JMTrangers]

Hellander maybe

Helander isn't up to match fitness yet. Hopefully he gets some time at the end of the game if it's already been put to bed.

 

[TynesideTrueBlue]

Feel sorry for George I thought we would have kept the same pairing for today. Risky decision imo.

 

[Scotstounbluenose]

2 nil bears

 

[Forth Bear]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

Go look at Wigan's results and clean sheet record after Balogun signed with them.

 

[Simply a Bear]

C'mon the 'Gers. Get right into that shower. From the first whistle until the last, get tore into them, no mercy.

 

[Jaws II]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

they got relegated due to admin and 15 points deduction. When he joined them they stopped leaking goals.

 

[Realger34]

Have you got a price for that ?

Hills have it at 40/1 mate.

 

[senefelder]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

Harsh, they would have been comfortable mid table but for administration points deduction.

 

[StaunchEnclosure]

State of Johnny Hayes!!!

 

[Inactiviated]

Big man starts

 

[Walker54]

I know we don't really have many options but I'm surprised Alfie is starting given the last week and how easy he can have has head turned, I just hope he's at it today.
Not only that if the club are looking to get the fee in the next week or so it's a bit of a risk in terms of (hopefully I'm completely wrong) potential injury.

 

[ca100]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

I'll happily correct you, he played in a side which would have finished mid table had it not been for their points deduction. He was one of the best centre halfs in the league from January onward, and they were one of the best sides in the league after the return. He must have shown up well in training this week to be put straight in. And he should be the most match sharp player out there given he's just finished his season.

 

[waltersgotstyle]

Some laughed at me when I suggested Balogun would start.

He brings a wealth of experience if his CV is anything to go by

 

[Sir Walter’s Warriors]

Alfredo checking his phone there, must be his agent, he clearly now won’t start

 

[sammy1872]

Never bet on rangers so not starting now but

balogun to score and 5-0 is 600/1

 

[BlueSeaOfIbrox]

Fair play, you're right that Balogun is starting but I think that is an absolutely crazy decision. Really crazy.

Away at Pittodrie and we've switched to a CB pairing who've never played in a game together.

Add the fact that Goldson and Edmundson kept clean sheet after clean sheet in the friendlies then it makes it even more of a bad decision for me.

Hi mate I never said Balogun was starting and I'm not sure I would have started him - but I certainly see the logic in it and the thought process that probably played a part in Gerrard picking him

 

[Wee Dick's Hairnet]

Expecting a win. Any win with no injuries or reds.
But I tell you what. Drop points to weak goals. Or a striker that fires blanks and some will call for heads.

This forum will be horrible if we don’t win and yes SG will be seriously called into question.

 

[MearnsUnionist]

Call me skeptical but didn't Balogun just play in a Wigan side who got relegated? Hardly fills you with confidence.

Davis injured I take it?

They only got relegated because of a points deduction.

He'd some of the best stats for a central defender in the Championship.

We'll soon find out if the stats are accurate mate.

 

[Damsidebear]

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[TerrySilverLoyal]

5 minutes in and Fletcher's voice is grating on me

Whole season of that

 

[thornhill bear]

Been waiting for the return of the Doc Stone match thread. Good looking team, should be too good for the sheep.

Let the madness begin

 

[Fergie90]

That's not quite 100% true, I think it was the Lyon game where he looked a wee bit shakey, he can be a colossus one minute, and clumsy the next, I think he is a good no nonsense defender and will be a big player for us but he's not the finished article yet. Plus he'll be playing on Thursday and will have another chance to impress.

Solid defensively but he gave the ball away in dangerous situations about 3 or 4 times in preseason and we simply cant afford mistakes like that today.

Cracking defender though and will be a success here imo

 

[cooprfc]

Edmundonson must wonder what he has to do, hasn’t put a foot wrong pre season and humped out the side on day 1

What nonsense.

I'm sure Edmundson wasn't wondering what he has to do when he benefitted from Katic dropping out.

Best team plays. If that includes a new signing then tough.

It's also worth noting that Balogun may be left sided.

 

[Aggieblue]

Can’t say I know much about Balogun but it must be a risk against our 2nd most difficult fixture of the season but Stevie is paid to make these decisions and I have faith in him. Have sympathy for big Edmundson as done nowt wrong for me pre-season, 0-4 Rangers, get intae these sheepy fukkas!